Instead of a patrol unit and orange fencing around Sherman Park, people in the neighborhood said they want to see kids and their families returning to the park.
“Is it normally this quiet out here? 'No,'" said Essence Simons who is 11-years-old.
On a Saturday morning, children would normally have to squeeze in for a spin or slide on the playground.
Essence said her grandmother brought her, her siblings and cousins out on Saturday because she wants them to feel like this is still their park.
While they are young and don’t understand what sparked the vandalism and looting, they know why people are staying away from the park.
“Like people burning stuff,” said one child.
Others visiting the park one week later said they just want to go back to barbecuing there and feeding the kids.
However, even one man’s grill was taken away from last week during the unrest.
“I literally shed tears because of this situation. Generally, there would be so many of us here by this time and people coming in and bringing things and giving hugs. This is pitiful,” said Charles who did not want to share his last name.
Baracades and orange fencing are part of the reason residents feel families and children are keeping away.
