What is the real meaning of a "public park"? The definition of the word "public" means "Maintained for or used by the people or community" and the definition of "park" is "An area of land set aside for public use". Now when you put these two words together, you get a special area that is set aside for use of the people and community. So when you take these so-called "public opportunities (i.e. sleeping on the park benches, playing on the grass, restrooms, etc)" away from people, is it still considered to be a public park? I do not think so. When you can no longer take your kids to play at the park, it is no longer considered to be a public park. Atlanta's project was to try and attempt to keep homeless people out of the park. What they ended up doing was keeping everyone away from the park.
The city of Atlanta did not seem to understand this terminology of "public" when reconstructing Woodruff Park. Before it was reconstructed, it was called Central City Park and during its time, the walkways were wide, there was a lot of grass and benches for people to lay and sit on, and everyone from all around the city was invited. There were many opportunities for people to hang out, talk, and meet new people. Unfortunately, the new park has a small number of benches, narrow walkways, small sections of grass, and a restriction that homeless people can no longer sleep or rest in the park. The new park is no longer inviting and lively. The new Woodruff Park is now nothing more than just a place to look at rather than play in.
I understand the reason to maybe why Atlanta did this. The city of Atlanta thought that it would be a safer place for families to bring their kids to have fun and play if they were successful in keeping the homeless people out of the park. Homeless people are part of the community too and when you restrict them from resting on the benches, then the park is no longer meant for the community and furthermore no longer called a "public park.
