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Does Riot Fest belong in Douglass Park?

    This AP is for journalism. In this first term we learned about written reporting. We dissected what it means to be new literate and how we can discern what is real and what is fake. We talked with a journalist from the Chicago Tribune and learned a lot about responsible reporting. I enjoyed being able to think critically about what language is used and the meaning behind words. I found this term very interesting and I feel it has taught me how to be a better informed citizen.
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Does Riot Fest belong in Douglass Park?

    Riot fest took place from September 16th to 19th at North Lawndale's Douglass park. This was four days for music and festivities. Bands such as Morrissey, The Smashing Pumpkins, Slipknot, Rancid, And Machine Gun Kelly were playing. Surrounding Douglass Park are residential blocks. While Riot Fest is being set up the park is closed to residents. Residents are not able to walk their dogs in the park or play sports. Riot fest sections off the park for several weeks.

    "Music festivals held in neighborhood-oriented public parks are really detrimental to the people and area in and around the park. The people who normally use the park -- dog walkers, soccer players, families, friends, young and old -- are unable to enter their regular place of solace. Surrounding streets are crowded with trucks and extra traffic, exacerbated by the closures of nearby streets. Neighbors grow more anxious, confused, and uncomfortable when their daily equilibrium is unsettled by the challenges of getting and being home, along with the loud music and throngs of strangers who come from far and wide." says JM, a resident.

    The festivals interfere with the residents' life as you learn from JM. They change the routine of those around without having much say in them being there. JM has worked for riot fest before and enjoys going but to him the positives do not outweigh the negatives. Riot fest draws large crowds. Parking can already be scarce nearby and many residents park on the street. The same street parking that Riot Fest attendants use.

    "I already covered a lot of the negatives, but the biggest one, I think, is the privatizing of a much-loved and used public space for four to six weeks every summer. People in this neighborhood love Douglass Park. It's a peaceful, beautiful park with trees, playgrounds, soccer fields, basketball courts, and a nature preserve. I've heard Riot Fest supporters say things like, "No one uses the park anyway," or "It's so good for that neighborhood to have all those people visit." Those are ignorant statements. I think people from the neighborhood get tired of thinking about Riot Fest. None of us asked it to come here. Most people I talk to would like to have their park back." Says CS, who lives across the street from Douglass Park. CS has spent a large amount of her time as a resident here trying to help improve the park. She led the push to replace the dangerous playgrounds several years ago. Douglass park has been her home for twenty years.

    When asked about the positives of riot fest she responded with, “There are a few positives. One is that a lot of our neighbors and even Jeff get temporary work during the festivals. Some of our neighbors set up taco stands in front of their houses and sell to the festival-goers.” Riot fest does some good but it seems to do far more harm. CS’s belief is that riot fest is just too large for the area. This last riot fest a train platform was overcrowded and someone fell off onto the third rail and died. The area around Douglas Park can not accommodate the large crowds and loud music.

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