By Stabroek News

Copyright stabroeknews

Dear Editor,

When I was a child, I lived in Second Avenue and Farnum Playing Field was part of growing up in Subryanville. This was where I went to fly my kite when I was too small to brave the sea-wall but big enough to insist on a kite even when I could barely hold on to the string in the wind that blew off the Atlantic Ocean. I wanted to fly and in Farnum playing field, I felt my dream might come true – if the adults would only look the other way and stop fussing.

I am appalled that this precious public space which was set aside for public recreation is now being taken over for private use against the wishes of the residents – and wrecked. We seem to be descending into a sad little society in which development is indistinguishable from destruction and community must give way to crass individualism. Subryanville is a residential area designed for the people who live there and not for a business. The influx of cars, the noise, the pollution – all contribute to diminish the quality of life of residents. The massive fire at Mae’s Schools could easily have spread to the homes of residents. Mae’s Schools should be relocated and Farnum playing field should be returned to its historical use – a place for the children and youth to play, to be free and to be safe.

Melinda Janki