Closing Remarks & Panel Discussion: Park Accessibility
FFatema BoxwalaDec 6, 2023 at 9:17 pm46min
S
00:00Speaker 1
People lovely to see some familiar faces.
Unknown Speaker
And great to be here and
S
00:05Speaker 1
beautiful Maryborough because it's such an amazing, amazing campus on your stepping chain in the states and senate district three, which is adjacent to the district of Oregon was just a large chunk of Detroit's as well as Highland Park Hamtramck and a bit of Macomb and Oakland counties. And I'm also a mom of a four year old and an eight year old who really love parks. So I just love the fact that we've got such an amazing coalition here in the district marks Coalition. We go to parks all the time, my kids love visiting the parks across this whole city. And wherever we are, they're always noticing and other people's parks and parks that they want to check out. Until I really feel like so many parks have come such a long way in part due to the work that you all are doing. And just recognizing how much more interest there is in parks right now as well. As the resources being dedicated to our parks is really remarkable. So really, I mostly came to just thank you for the great work that you're doing. Because I know that while our our state and our city had been investing in parks all my time, so it's really community members who are the ones keeping parks up and making parks into what they are. And so you all are the ones who are making that happen. Do you want to really polish up the fact that in the most recently passed budget, we did include some money for the parks Coalition, which is very exciting and hoping that we can continue to ensure that at the state level that there is an awareness of how important parks are and really continue to place an emphasis there because of budget is a reflection of our values. So really making sure that we're continuing to invest dollars into the places that our communities love and grow in is really, really important. So I think that my kids really love parks because one is she has to just get outside and run around and play. Also, parks are as we all know, places where people gather and where people can create community and where people can become friends. I mean, literally I just, I mean we keep talking about my two kids, but it's because literally anywhere we go my kids are very, they're shy at first, but then they're actually very social and they love to make new friends and perks. And so that's one of the things that I love about parks is that random people who don't know each other can just become acquaintances or friends at these at these amazing community spaces. And it's also a way to make sure that couples are getting outside getting exercise and providing space for community members to meet. I don't know how many meetings have been to add parks in under pavilions in various neighborhoods, and that makes things possible for our neighborhoods to continue thriving. So. So thank you for the work you're doing. I am just really honored to be here, but I'm really excited that your last panel is about parking accessibility, because that's such an important topic and I know that some parts are better than others in terms of accessibility, but I'm hoping that that's an area that we can continue to improve on. I worked alongside the Detroit disability, our organization quite a bit on the state level policy issues and other things that are really always looking to make connections and I know that they have a national organization as well to be able to try to figure out ways to improve accessibility. So looking forward to try to listen in a little bit to the next panel. So thank you, thank you, thank you. There's really my main message just grateful for the work that you're doing. Really a firm believer, although I'm a public servant. I really fully believe that a lot of the work that we are able to do is actually because of the work that you are doing in the community. So from my thinking, thank you so much.
S
04:37Speaker 2
Thank you so much, Senator. Accessibility I just want to say thank you all for being here, this final panel, but it has been a very full day of information gain. I know there's been a lot of new connections, but I'm also excited about just seeing people in person. So many of us, you know the world is small. So we see a lot of us on email chains and zoom in. This is a rare opportunity to see everyone settled thank you guys for being here second round.
S
05:32Speaker 2
Just gonna start having each of you please introduce yourself introduce the word
S
05:41Speaker 3
Hey, my name is Alexis Brooks. I am the Executive Director of Austin City 313. We are a nonprofit that's based in Detroit. And we provide activities and social programs for youth and adults with autism as free as possible, but our main goal is to happens in the city of Detroit and build autism awareness.
Processing audio...