Issue 633 Food Parks July 14, 2015

So this is a concept where parks and food meet.  Sounds strange, but allow me to explain.

The idea:  Basically, rather than a traditional park that simply looks nice and is nice to relax in, why not add in edible plants.  As such there would be fruit trees like apple, berry bushes, and naturally growing edible plants.  At places where you can relax and sit down in the park there could be trellises or other barriers that act as a base for vine based fruits like grapes.  Basically, nearly every plant in the park is edible.

Additionally, there will be a stream and/or a lake in the park for people to fish for well "fish".  Also, slingshots can be rented out to hunt small game, like squirrels and birds.  But you are probably wondering about the purpose of this.  Read on to find out.

Purpose:  I was inspired by the idea of urban foraging where people could make a meal out of edible plants that grow naturally in urban environments like in the city such as dandelions.  As such, I wanted to take that idea and make it more purposeful with a real park dedicated toward people being able to harvest food themselves without going to the supermarket.  I thought that it could aid the poor, those on a budget and those who value naturally grown food to gather food to fend for themselves.  So this concept would need free entry, and possibly paid classes to coach people on cooking with these natural ingredients (which means fire pits for cooking or grills).  Of course this means, with respect to the animals, they would teach people how to cook with bugs, the small game killed by the slingshots, and the fish caught while fishing.  Therefore food prep would be taught as well, which is a useful skill while cooking foods that you may normally never prepare yourself.  Obviously teaching how to cook with every part of the plant or animal would be necessary as waste is the last thing needed here and the leftovers can be composted to be used later as natural fertilizer. It is important to note that food sustainability will be taught as well, which means people will only be allowed to take/eat what they need only, which teaches people responsibility to the environment and to their fellow man.  Basically a cheap meal prepared by natural ingredients in a pseudo natural environment.

Conclusion:  Does this idea have merit?  Would you risk having an apple fall on your head in a park if it meant you could eat the apple?  I personally think it would be fun, but that is because it is my idea.  Hope I inspired you a little and see you next time.