Tuesday, November 13, 2007

CityKin: Washington Park Elementary Demolition

Mike at CityKin has photos of the demolition of Washington Park Elementary School in Over-the-Rhine.

It was an ugly building, and I won't miss it.

But it does raise questions about the loss of a place that was part of so many children's daily lives.

Every school I've ever attended it still standing. And although I don't make any effort to revisit those places, I do wonder what a child--or even an adult who once attended--feels like when such a significant part of their lives is no longer there.

5 comments:

Joe said...

I wonder if anyone would complain if they tore down our old high school? I always thought that building had been hit with the ugly stick...

And here's a Fun Fact: CityKin is my landlord... He lives mere feet from me (like the next floor up)...

Continued great work on your beelogg, KL...

Mike said...

Thanks for the mention.

Some ugly places are very important in my memory, and I hope they are only improved, not wholly removed.

I also hope that CPS can finally figure out how to create at least one neighborhood school in OTR.

Kevin LeMaster said...

Agreed, Joe. Our school is hideous!

I do promise we'll get together one of these days, BTW!

xenacutter said...

I did attend Washington Park Elementary, and it shaped my life forever after. It really hurt me to see CPS tear down the building and abandon Washington Park instead of rebuilding it like theyd said. I have lived on nearly every street downtown near Washington Park, and half of my siblings attended Wahington Park elementary as well. It was very central, and its access to Music Hall made all the students feel like celebrities when we were invited to events. I could tell you every nook and cranny of the building (that I was allowed in) and what wonderful things occured there. It was an amaing place, and every time I passed it I was so proud. I imagine you might feel the same for a place that shaped your future, but even if it were not a beautiful looking building on the outside, many beautiful experiences were had on the inside. It hurt for me to hear anything negative about the building, but I will never forget Washington Park. I am still pretty young, and I didnt know that it would be abandoned as it has, and I didnt know that I would be losing my school so early in my life. My parents can visit their schools, and yet I cant. Shame on CPS. I remember when Mr. Erich Kunzel woke up one day and had a vision about what that area should look like and ever since then its been a downhill battle for Washington Park. Ill miss my school, and my little dream of helping it out when I grew up and made lots of money. Sad to see I work for such a district that doesnt care about the benefits of such a place so central to so many.

Kevin LeMaster said...

^ Thanks for your comment, and I'm sorry for your loss.

Recent Comments