It’s Time to Fight for the Future of Wilkinsburg & Other Community Parks

Submitted by Bob Glidden, Park Place neighborhood resident

Over 100 years ago, nine lots were transferred to Wilkinsburg School District at the corner of Green Street and Mifflin Avenue. It might have been intended for a local school or some other public purpose, but over the years became a funny little patch of grass, concrete and asphalt. A vacant lot in 1905 had been put to use after park features were built, but the meaning of "vacant" was about to change for some.

Twenty five years ago, the Borough of Wilkinsburg created its “Moving Toward the Future” community-wide plan, but never saw it to full implementation. The future had already been well underway by that time, in this area and throughout the world. The economic policies of neoliberalism had been (and continue) transferring control of the economy from the public to the private sector under the belief that a more efficient government would improve the economic health of boroughs, counties, states, and whole countries. During the previous 25 years "progressive business leaders" encouraged by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development had been condemning, vacating and demolishing portions of Wilkinsburg while promising to rejuvenate buildings, parks, recreation facilities, sanitation procedures, and construct new buildings.

None of these improvements helped provide the money needed for Wilkinsburg’s public schools. The developers who lived outside of the borough made money and left only token "green space" for the families that paid rent for the apartments they built. These parks, like the school districts named on the land title, serve the needs of the families who own and rent homes in the community. Private investors have no commitment to improving the health and well-being of residents; government was created for that purpose.

When government caters to the interests of business, the long-term interests and well-being of communities are neglected. Calling a park "vacant land" that can be sold to a developer, as was proposed by the Wilkinsburg Board of Education in the case of the Green Street Mini-Park, is yet another example of how we’ve allowed business interests to determine policies. With little public scrutiny, officials have proposed to sell Green Street Mini-Park to help offset the district’s budget shortfall. Those pushing the transfer of this and other public spaces into private hands often don't even live in the community where the space exists. The lack of transparency in government has allowed the sale to move forward even though it contradicts the long-standing policy goal of providing space for recreation and relaxation.

What we’re seeing in Wilkinsburg is just more evidence that our democracy is in deep trouble. Pennsylvania recently passed legislation to allow the state to appoint managers to take over failing (i.e., poor) local school districts, removing authority from locally elected officials. Here and elsewhere, financial considerations are allowed to trump democracy and community needs.

Public spaces are the common ground where people come together as friends, neighbors and citizens — the primary sites for human exchange, upon which our communities, economy, democracy and society depend. The Wilkinsburg School District might not exist 100 years from now, but the future of the human race depends on public spaces and that is the future that we must move toward.

NOTE: Due to pressure from residents, there will now be an administrative hearing to determine the fate of Green Street Mini-Park. The hearing is Thursday, May 16 at 1:45 PM at the Allegheny Co. Court of Common Pleas (414 Grant St. #700). Objections must be filed by May 9 to Matthew Hoffman, Esq. Tucker Arensberg, P.C. One PPG Place #1500, Pittsburgh PA 15222.