Asheville News

Pritchard Park has a park ranger

Jason Sandford January 1, 2008

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

We always knew that Pritchard Park was a wild jungle full of crazy hippies, pissing drunks, aggressive panhandlers and all manner of other undesirables. Now the City of Asheville has confirmed it – they’ve built a little shed and hired a “park ranger” to police the popular gathering spot.

Yes, the city parks and recreation department has erected a little shed for the ranger, who will be on the lookout for litterbugs and beggars and such, according to a blurb WLOSers aired this morning. The shed will also double as an information booth for lost tourists in search of some help.

WLOSers said the new ranger will take the burden of Asheville police, who are contantly at the park responding to calls. But we’re not sure how that’s supposed to work. Is the new ranger a sworn officer with arrest powers? If so, that’s fine. But if not, isn’t she just going to keep calling the cops when she needs someone with authority?

We’ll try to bring you a photo of the new addition. In the meantime, tell me – do you think Pritchard Park needs a park ranger?

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Trout fishing in the mountains

Why is television news so superficial, so irrelevant?

7 Comments

Clocky January 2, 2008

I agree with much of Zen’s comment above. Results will depend on the individual.
Yes, the ideal candidate would be someone sympathetic to the plight of the homeless, yet firm and fair in handling problems as they arise.

Whether the person is an ex-cop or not is immaterial. An ex-cop could be very good or very bad at this. It depends on what instructions he gets, and how does his work. It also depends on his personality.

Some seem to believe that "hippies" constitute much of the park population during the day. Spend some time around Pritchard Park. Most of these folks are Joe Blow homeless guys (and women), with none of the counter-culture business that the term "hippie" brings to mind. On the Haywood Street side of the park, there are often some guys playing chess. These guys do not act like or dress like hippies.

As anyone who works downtown can probably tell you, there are hippies downtown. You can find them busking in a few locations, or slithering up and down Lexington Avenue.

Just don’t go down to Pritchard Park looking for hippie kingdom, okay?

Good luck to the new ranger.

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Don Talley January 2, 2008

I believe Pritchard Park to be a great asset to the city. I think the park should be open to everyone including hippies, homeless and Hummer-enslaved tourists and condo owners.

Most of the complaints about so-called dangerous homeless persons and hippies are blown way out of proportion. Most users of Pritchard are peaceful persons regardless of their housing situation or the length of their dreadlocks.

Nonetheless, there ARE some problems which need to be addressed to make the park safer for everyone. On occaision certain park users DO create problems for others by being drunk or deranged. Certain behaviors are not appropriate and I have no problem with the police or designated "park rangers" enforcing existing laws and removing those who violate the law or endanger other person.

From my experience, most police offers allow park users tremendous freedoms and only take action when absolutely neccessary. Most (but not all) officers try to reason with those who are creating problems and resolve issues peaceful before using force.

So as long as the "park ranger" uses restraint and wisdom I’m in favor of it.

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Huw Richardson January 2, 2008

As long as the Rich People Buying Condos in the area are paying for it they can have anything they want.

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Johnny Lemuria January 1, 2008

I have this urge to buy a paintball gun and do a couple of drive-bys.Every penny of the taxpayer’s money that was spent on this stupidity should be taken out of the city council’s collective hide.

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zen January 1, 2008

I personally think it’s a good idea. The strength of what a ranger is supposed to do is inform and work with people’s enjoyment in mind, not be a threat, as the police tend to be percieved.

It’ll depend on the individual. Hire someone who understands community and diversity and it could help Pritchard park shine even more. Hire a disgrunted and retired ex-cop and it will all unravel in short order.

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jaybird January 1, 2008

Yeah, that’s hysterical. Really, I think this deserves a little Daily Show action. A Park Ranger to keep the wild hippies at bay? Don’t feed the animals? WTF?

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arratik January 1, 2008

I was under the impression that eCarl was trying to recruit "citizen activists" to take pictures of the riff raff and turn them over to the APD… maybe the ranger seems a little less, um, McCarthy-esque? Orwellian? Draconian? I don’t know – I’m hung over…

Happy ’08 to you and yours, Ash!

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