simply walk the earth where things grow and spread and fall and die and regenerateaccording to their nature, where there is the
absence
of control, where there is the
presence
of it being alright to breathe, to perspire and to wonder all at the same time.I focus on the basic race walking techniques of keeping a straight line, no big armswings, no over-striding or becoming airborne and relax to avoid neck and jaw tension.
Even if I walk as fast as I can, I‟ll be traveling less than five miles per hour; too slow for
some, but good therapy in an impatient world. The runners will pass me. There is even a
walker or two who can‟t resist breaking into a run for a brief stretch, but for me it‟s all
about the pace, not the race. Strangers smile and say hello when passing. At times I fallinto routine and then the strangers become familiar, like regulars at the grocery store eachweek. I begin to look for them
–
same time, same place, same modeof exercise. Then again our schedules change and we become liketrains using the same track at different times. Perh
aps we‟ll
reconnect in another season. Sometimes I find their things, like abutton or a tiny yellow plastic fairy and put them in my pocket forsafekeeping.There is a huge rule board as set forth in the will of the late Frank A. Harden:
*No dogs or pets allowed in park * Organizational, business or wedding parties must*Noise must be kept at a minimum be reserved ahead at the caretakers cottage*No motorcycles or motorbikes allowed in park * Use of bicycles on road way only* No vehicles with loud mufflers * Restrict your play so it does not interfere with* No loud speakers, microphones or amplified othersmusic * Be especially careful of older persons* No sales of any kind allowed on premises * Do not disfigure any trees, shrubs, buildings or* The use of beer or alcoholic beverages must be in fencesmoderation, over indulgence will result in being * Fires must be made in equipment provided or inexpelled from the park and visiting privileges similar personally owned unitsrevoked * Help keep the park clean by picking-up refuse andbottles and depositing them in cans provided
Please
OBSERVE THE PARK HOURS and LEAVE ON POSTED CLOSING TIME
THROUGH YOUR HELP WE ALL CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY HARRYBROOKE PARK
THANK YOU
–
BOARD OF MANAGERS
In these times when rules seem to be plentiful, yet often interpreted as optional, the boardappears stern at first glance, but its white lettering scribed like white chalk on deep greensoftens the message into a parent giving common sense instructions before a child goesoff to play.There is a small pond, green and buggy, existing more for flora and fauna than forthe benefit of park visitors. A grandmother sits under a tree reading a book as hergrandson pokes the water with a long dry branch. There are green metal posts holding up
a pair of wavy green wires with the most diminutive series of „Keep Out‟ signs I‟ve ever seen, but Grandma doesn‟t interfere
because she wants him to take responsibility forhimself. Besides, if he were to lose his footing, it would be a lesson well remembered.Mothers push strollers; fathers ride bikes with the older kids, some with trainingwheels, most with helmets. The one-way road sends you around a big green expanse of grass with generous distances between historic shade trees and swing sets. The swing setsare simple
–
no twisting plastic tubes, cargo nets or tires
–
they are constructed fromserious plumbing materials with just a few sling swings so a child can really go sky-high
if they aren‟t af
raid to use their muscles. The metal slides are high enough to be a short
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