Needle Park

Across the street from our apartment is what was once known locally as "Needle Park." The nickname came not from the tall pines, but from frequent drug deals that left the park strewn with needles. 


The city decided to take the park back with an interesting approach. They cleaned it up and directed little league baseballers to start playing here. 


Now the tink of ball and bat can be heard down the street nearly every day of the week. Now families take their kids to the playground on cool summer evenings. Now young men play basketball on the court. Now the park feels completely safe.


Last night my husband went over to join the ballers and I sat in the grass watching. The park was packed. It's probably one of the most multiethnic scenes I've witnessed, too.


This was the park that first drew us to our part of town. Every time we walked or drove by we both felt like this was the place for us. We're praying about what our role should look like here. How do we love our neighbors? I'm looking forward to posting updates as we figure it out.