Community Mindfulness
Swift watch from an individual perspective
People gather and sit on the lawn with a view of the chimney, watch the swifts overhead, applaud or boo the raptors that make an appearance, clap when the last swift has entered the chimney and then get up and leave.
In the jubilant atmosphere of swift watch, your focus is on the moment, your friends, your family, the birds overhead. It is easy to forget that the scene described is taking place on public school grounds and a city park, surrounded by a residential neighborhood.
Swift watch from a community perspective
In reality there are many people who live right here, go to school here, recreate and work here. Although you may visit the Chapman neighborhood just once this season they will experience tens of thousands of visits just like yours.
So, for a moment, imagine that 500 to 3000 people “dropped in” on your neighborhood every evening for a month. If you lived there, how would you like these visitors to behave?
In the spirit of community mindfulness please:
- Drive carefully, do not double park, do not block driveways
- Use free parking at Montgomery Park if arriving late (after 6pm)
- Do not drive up Pettygrove Street beyond 27th Ave, it is a dead end and easily becomes congested to the point of being hazardous
- Respect the property and privacy of neighbors
- Pick up all your trash and that of others if necessary
- Encourage respectful and responsible behavior at all times
