whatwouldyoudo.html

about what their open space should become.

Some people want Jungle Hill to have bike paths for kids, hiking trails, a community garden, and a natural area of native plants and trees. They like the idea of having open space for people to enjoy and explore, without a lot of man-made structures.

Gardeners in the neighborhood hope that a community garden will bring people together as they grow flowers and vegetables. They're thinking of putting a fence around the garden, to keep people from stealing gardeners' vegetables. But a fence can tell people, "you're not welcome here," and they aren't happy about doing that.

Other neighbors want to have picnic tables and barbecue grills, so that people would use Jungle Hill as a family park. Lots of people also want a place on Jungle Hill for little children to play, with a sandbox, swings, a slide, and other play equipment.

Some people don't want to add anything that would encourage people to hang out there. They're concerned that having play structures, basketball courts, and benches would make Jungle Hill a negative place where people would come to use drugs, or hang out in gangs. But some teens feel that without things to do like play basketball, or have a barbecue, all that's left for them is to hang out -- and that's just what makes their adult neighbors nervous.

Just about all the neighbors agree that Jungle Hill should have trash cans, and more lighting. This would help people keep it cleaner, and feel safer at night.

So far, only a few things have been decided. But it will be important for Jungle Hill neighbors to take everyone's input into account. After all, Jungle Hill belongs to the whole community.

What would you do with one acre of open space in your neighborhood? Would you put in a picnic and barbecue area? Play structures for little kids? A basketball court? Or would you make it more natural, with trees, paths, and a garden? Would you combine some of these ideas?