The Humboldt Valley ping pong table

If you drive the stretch from where the Coho docks towards the breakwater (not the into town stretch), it's absolutely terrible. I couldn't believe how bad it was, considering it's sort of a tourist area.

Then you clearly haven't visited Oaklands recently.

This is very true. There are numerous ones on my street alone that have been there for months.

Seems that the table is pretty popular. I was at Bart's with a friend last night and they are talking about expanding patio/sidewalk seating on that side so customers can play/watch. 

It will interesting to see how popular it is from November-February.

It will interesting to see how popular it is from November-February.

 

So many things are less popular through those months.  The tables in Pioneer square (Occidental Square) are heavily used throughout the year and I'm sure used less through the harsher weather.  Doesn't make it useless.

So many things are less popular through those months...Doesn't make it useless.

It might not make it useless, but it suggests there might be a better use of $5000 of taxpayer money.

It might not make it useless, but it suggests there might be a better use of $5000 of taxpayer money.

 

It does?  I appreciate $5,000 is a lot to one tax payer, I am one.  $5,000 is not a lot in the greater scope however.  If it is used and enjoyed (watched and creates giggles) by 500 people for the rest of this year, and I don't think that number is out of sight and another 2,000 next year what is the value of that in a $$ sense?  There has to be goodwill considered in these public spaces that has to have value. 

 

I love that so many things are questioned but it is seeming like, at least right now, everything is being scrutinized for the sake of it.  I think if this thing was installed in Centennial Square 6 - 7 years ago when that was renovated it wouldn't have been news, maybe not.

It does? I appreciate $5,000 is a lot to one tax payer, I am one. $5,000 is not a lot in the greater scope however. If it is used and enjoyed (watched and creates giggles) by 500 people for the rest of this year, and I don't think that number is out of sight and another 2,000 next year what is the value of that in a $$ sense? There has to be goodwill considered in these public spaces that has to have value.

I love that so many things are questioned but it is seeming like, at least right now, everything is being scrutinized for the sake of it. I think if this thing was installed in Centennial Square 6 - 7 years ago when that was renovated it wouldn't have been news, maybe not.

Fair enough, but I think its a result of a pattern over the past few years, where we keep hearing about assorted whimsical projects that don't individually cost that much and aren't necessarily bad.

But on the other hand, we see homelessness and addiction not improving, a growing anti-police movement on council, letter writing, legal fees wasted on a bag ban that someone should've known wouldn't hold up, the JAM statue stunt (which was just a way to launch the mayor's reelection campaign), dreadful infrastructure upkeep and on and on...

So against that backdrop, it's very understandable that people will nitpick over the latest novelty project, however low the cost may be in the grand scheme.

Recreation & health and fitness have always been city-funded expenses. I don't understand the uproar - certainly $6K is cheaper than most park play structures.

Regardless of the "good will" these sort of projects may generate, maintaining the existing infrastructure should always be a city's fiscal priority. I might get a great deal of joy from taking a trip to Hawaii, but if that expense interferes with replacing the 25-year-old, leaking roof on my house, am I really making a wise decision?

Regardless of the "good will" these sort of projects may generate, maintaining the existing infrastructure should always be a city's fiscal priority. I might get a great deal of joy from taking a trip to Hawaii, but if that expense interferes with replacing the 25-year-old, leaking roof on my house, am I really making a wise decision?

 

Well there are no pot holes that are being missed because of this amenity and I do not believe this money would have helped with that..  There was no back door meeting to suggest that we buy this from a maintenance budget.  So I'm not sure this is the argument that holds water though I do appreciate the frustration.  City crews are out there and working, I hear the issues about traffic and work being done.  I recall a tweet not long ago for 700 block of Fort St when crews were fixing a large section with multiple sink holes.  Parking had to be taken off for a couple days and that was complained about.  Also it's understood people do not typically talk about when roads are good.  Please report pot holes specifically that are issues, from my experience they are dealt with.  It could take time but they do get placed in the queue.

 

rmpeers, yes I acknowledged the timing piece and again, understandable.  Again I get the microscope, I just feel there are so many reasonable folks here that we have so see around some of those and see some projects for what they are.  We can't make it so staff of fearful of making improvements.

 

BTW that would equate to about 40 youth bus passes... ;0

Edited by Ismo07, 20 August 2019 - 11:00 AM.

So many things are less popular through those months. The tables in Pioneer square (Occidental Square) are heavily used throughout the year and I'm sure used less through the harsher weather. Doesn't make it useless.

What is Occidental Square? I have never seen or heard this term for Pioneer Square?

Occidental Park was deemed a neutral term more palatable to the general population than Graves Of The Colonizers Park.

But when was this determined and by whom? I always thought Pioneer Square was really hokey and would be happy to see it renamed but that should be a public process. You can't just rename something without a public discussion.

...You can't just rename something without a public discussion.

     

But when was this determined and by whom? I always thought Pioneer Square was really hokey and would be happy to see it renamed but that should be a public process. You can't just rename something without a public discussion.

 

Doooooooood.

 

Where've you been since 2014?

It was renamed in 2014???

Just did a quick google search and don't even see one reference to this name change. I see a bunch about Seattle which one would hope we could do better than just to copy...

Okay more research says that Ismo07 was actually referring to the park in Seattle which appears to have ping pong tables...

Whoopsie😳

Okay more research says that Ismo07 was actually referring to the park in Seattle which appears to have ping pong tables...

Whoopsie

Lol yes in Seattle, Sorry G-Man...