Keep off the grass
Quote of note:
It is understandable that those who labored - and those who gave large contributions - to make the park more beautiful would feel a sense of ownership. But the park, no matter how elegant the private residences that line it, is a public space, not a gated community's playground.
The protesters have a right to have their say in a proper venue. In a recent poll, three-quarters of New Yorkers believed that venue to be Central Park. The 50,000 or so Republicans and others attending the G.O.P.'s own political demonstration next month don't have such worries. City officials are worrying about their every need, even concierge and spa services. They'll also be treated to a concert, in Central Park.
With the Republican convention about one month away, the city has so far kept protesters off the Great Lawn in Central Park. Organizers of a large protest planned for Aug. 29 were denied its use. Park officials said the 250,000 people organizers expect would do too much damage to the grass and surrounding foliage. Then the National Organization for Women wanted the 13-acre lawn for a rally of 50,000 - far fewer than the 85,000 people who went to the Dave Matthews concert last year. Again, the city said no. It made us wonder why the city was so intent on keeping free speech off the grass.
City officials seem to have two sets of rules- one for approved music lovers, who attend warm-weather events by the tens of thousands - and another for political activity. The latter, of course, is protected by the Constitution. Yet city officials lack compelling reasons for denying protesters' requests to use parts of the park, especially the Great Lawn.
Granted, millions were spent to bring back the lawn from its scraggly days. But much of that money was spent to ensure exceptional durability. Resilient Kentucky bluegrass sod was planted in a soil mix with coarse sand mined in eastern Long Island - a proven base for sturdy golf courses. It also drains quickly, which makes officials' complaints that the protests lack rain dates seem curious.
