According to a statement released by the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, that department and the Seattle Police Department will collaborate to remove a makeshift garden that was planted as part of the Black Lives Matter protests from the city’s Cal Anderson Park. The statement revealed that the garden needs to be removed because of public health and public safety issues, and the need to restore the turf and reseed the area with grass.
Further elaborating on the issues the garden and park faced, the Parks and Recreation Department noted that the Seattle Unified Care Team has worked to remove homeless tent encampments from the space near the garden area. It noted that the area is one of the “most frequently addressed areas in the city for repopulated encampments” and come “as part of ongoing efforts to keep public spaces clean, open, and accessible to all.”
Elaborating on the other issues that the Black Lives Matter garden has created for residents who wish to use the park for lawful, normal purposes, the Parks and Recreation statement said, “In recent months, the temporary garden has created unsafe conditions for all park users, including the vandalism of Cal Anderson public bathrooms, public drug use, unauthorized camping, and a significant rodent problem, along with other issues.”
Another issue was that the Parks and Recreation Department had tried to work with the activists behind the creation of the Black Lives Matter garden in 2020 to move it to a more acceptable and less problematic location, but those activists would not agree on an alternative location for the garden.
Continuing, the statement claimed that conversations regarding a new location are ongoing and that “In partnership with the Black Farmers Collective and leaders in Seattle’s Black community, Mayor Harrell and the City will conceptualize a new commemorative garden at Cal Anderson Park.”
One individual quoted by the statement noted that the space had become unusable as a garden because of drug activity, saying, “As a 20-year-old farmer, navigating the fields of the Black Lives Matter Memorial Garden as the ‘Brown Girl Farmer’ has been a complex journey. Sadly, each attempt to immerse myself in farming activities has been overshadowed by the pervasive drug activity within the space. For someone of color like me, this Memorial Garden seems far from representing the essence of farming and agriculture.”
That statement went on to add, “Yet, I remain resilient and determined. The desire to relocate this garden to a safer environment, one that allows for organized activities, has become my mission. I am eager to contribute to a space where farming and gardening can truly flourish, free from the shadows of illicit activities. In the face of these challenges, I plan to engage with local community organizations and authorities, advocating for a transformation that not only ensures safety but also fosters a more inclusive and vibrant community space for the ‘Brown Girl Farmer’ to thrive.”
Another individual added, “Parks and playgrounds are places where children, teens, young adults and senior citizens enjoy each other while also experiencing incredible community events. There are also family picnics, sporting events and community festivals that keep all of our lives rooted and grounded. We support there should be a section in Cal Anderson Park that represents Black Lives Matter; however, it’s crucial that it’s protected with public safety and health safety. Not a place that’s used for drug use and activity, and a hang out spot. We stand with Mayor Harrell and his administration on their efforts to accomplish these goals at Cal Anderson Park.”
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