Slice of Paradise

The sound of barking dogs and shouting kids is music to my ears today. It's the sound of Hamilton Park open, finally renovated after... I have no idea how long. How many summers was it closed? Just one? Two? I really don't know. It was definitely closed last summer when the Bolivian parade had to assemble on the street because the park was shut down.

I went across the street today and walked around in the grass. There are dog runs—one for small dogs and one for large dogs—but the fresh, lush grass will still be covered in dog pee before you know it.

The landscaping is stunning. The tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts are redone. The playground is state-of-the-art. I think there's a sprinkle park. And some of the park is just left alone, green and natural. On the border there are brick Victorians and brownstones. I live in the brown one.

In theory, there's even free wi-fi. But I stood in the middle of the park with my iPhone and the only signal I picked up was my own.

I love the new park. More photos are here. But damn, there are a lot of people in it. Hey, you kids! Get offa my lawn!