WHERE MARTIN STANDS

When did just playing ball become a big deal? I hate to sound like an old man even though I am. As a kid, all that was needed was a ball with other equipment optional. Most of our games were played in the street or alleys with a manhole cover or sidewalk crack as our boundaries. When we had enough of a group to warrant playing in a park, the “field” would be either dirt or concrete.

Astoria Pool was one of 11 municipal pools built by Robert Moses during the 1930s. It was here, and at other smaller pools, that my friends and I would go to cool off during the hot summer months. We would also take advantage of the municipal beaches, arriving by bus and subway. Every playground that I remember had swings, slides, monkey bars and what would today be called a splash pad. They were built to keep kids from using hydrants.

There was Little League and Pop Warner football, but most of the kids I knew were self-taught or got tips from each other or someone’s father or older brother. We just weren’t so organized as today. In the summer, you got up in the morning and just played — whether it was box ball or “war.” If you didn’t have a toy gun, you had a stick.

New York did have parks. In those parks, there were recreation professionals that we called “parkies.” They would make sure that kids behaved, and handed out basketballs, chess and checker sets and crayons with paper. The year before I started in first grade, my kindergarten was the neighborhood park. My mother would drop my brother and I off in the morning for half the year and after lunch for the other half. The “parkie” was our teacher since there was no room in the local school and I guess it was not mandatory to attend school until first grade.

So, what does any of this have to do with Martin County? Nothing and everything. I think we forgot what public recreation should be. Does it need to be as primitive as it was in my childhood? I hope not! But it certainly need not encompass amusement parks and aquatic centers. Our ballfields need not be built for travel leagues. We should have more recreational pools not more competitive swimming. Our golf course should not try to rival a private club.

Parks should not be profit or tourism centers. They should be adequate for our residents to throw a football or hit a golf ball. Instead of building a PGA course with the accouterments of a professional club, how about building a place to spend a few hours outdoors and grab a beer? Instead of a place to hold swimming meets for participants from everywhere, how about a place for Martin County kids and families to gather and cool off?

The BOCC can’t seem to just provide a place to have a good time. It needs to be superlative, fascinating, and spectacular. How about a place to just play and relax? Our tax dollars would go further and more of the public could be served. Now isn’t that a novel idea.

Excerpt from this edition of Friends & Neighbors. To receive  your free copy send your email address to tom@tomcampenniforstuart@gmail.com