It's All About The Park.

If one doesn't agree with someone else's opinion, attack their ideas, not the person. Otherwise nothing constructive can transpire. Hours before my Michael Jackson Block Party editorial was posted on the NY Times "Local" blog, the NYC Police Department and the NYC Parks Department had already reached similar conclusions to mine and were working to move the event to a much larger, more appropriate location in Prospect Park.

As always, my main motivation and concern is the present-day, run-down and decrepit condition of historic Fort Greene Park. For the past 10 years I have been a volunteer member of the Fort Greene Park Conservancy - the non-profit community group dedicated to the restoration and renewal of Fort Greene Park.

To me this was never about race or class. It was about the park. In my mind Michael Jackson's music transcends all national boundaries beyond race, appealing to a broad cross-section of fans of all colors and all ages from all over the world. I apologize if I offended anybody, especially the Jackson Family and friends.

30 years ago most people were afraid to even go into Fort Greene Park. Nowadays, the park is host to a wide variety of free community events for all age groups. The Conservancy and other groups present a variety of special events throughout the year, including live music, theatrical performances, films, readings, dance parties like Soul Summit, the annual Halloween Celebration. and more. There's also tennis courts, basketball courts, two playgrounds, a picnic barbeque area, and historical exhibits at the newly-restored Visitors Center near the monument. On weekends and select weekdays there are nature walks and talks about local history by the Urban Park Rangers.