Detroit’s Newest Gang: A ‘Mower Gang’ That Restores Closed Parks

[kpete]

Detroit’s Newest Gang: A ‘Mower Gang’ That Restores Closed Parks


A photo of the Detroit Mower Gang, a volunteer group in Detroit, Michigan who gets together to mow abandoned playgrounds in the city. (Photo/Detroit Mower Gang via Facebook)

A group of local citizens have decided to do something about the blighted city’s dozens of overgrown, unused parks.



Though Michigan resident Tom Nardone was busy working and taking care of his three small children, he said he decided to give back to the community and mow a few of the parks himself once he realized that’s all that needed to be done to keep the parks open.

...................................

Nardone said he’s not the type to ask permission first, and showed up at the first park to mow the lawn without asking the city’s permission. “We’re more badass,” he said, “we don’t take any shit.”

From that first mow, Nardone’s work to give kids in Detroit their playgrounds back caught on, and he formed the Mower Gang — a group of “do-gooders” that works to restore parkland in the city.

Every Wednesday night, a group of about 25 to 30 Mower Gang members meet up and mow two to three parks in the city. Nardone, the group’s leader, said that the group has about 20 regular members who show up, nine or ten of whom have tractors.

More:
http://www.mintpressnews.com/detroits-newest-gang-a-mower-gang-that-restores-closed-parks/169405/

[Bluenorthwest]

1. A clip o' the mowers

[kpete]

2. Thanks

Bluenorthwest



action is our duty, reward should not be our concern

peace, kp

[FiveGoodMen]

3. Very cool!

[No Vested Interest]

4. A big "hats off" to these volunteers!

I imagine they're having fun while helping the Detroit community and raising spirits and civic pride.
Those who don't or can't volunteer could donate money towards fuel or garden implements for cutting plants, etc.
You rock, Mower Gang!

[NV Whino]

5. Just wait...

Someone will find a way to make it illegal.

Color me pessimistic.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. Violation of terms of insurance policy, probably. nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

8. Either that or claim a rider mower violates a prohibition on off road vehicles.

[hughee99]

9. My thought was that someone is going to be pissed!

Possibly the people who would normally do this work.

[SalviaBlue]

11. I thought "mission accomplished"

The republicans want no government spending, and are willing to destroy whole communities by starving them out.

Its nice that these people are stepping up, but it should not be necessary.

A civilized society would employ people to take care of the commons.

This is the raygun dream for America. So sad.

[bluesbassman]

15. Sadly they're already pissed due to being laid off.

Thus the whole reason for the Mower Gang.

[Faryn Balyncd]

17. The guys who want to buy parkland for 6 cents on the dollar from the city manager will be pissed.

[madokie]

7. That is so Cool

[MynameisBlarney]

10. Now that's my kinda gang!

I wonder if they are wanting to start a chapter in the Keys...

[thereismore]

12. Starting community gardens? Now that's asking for trouble.

Our corporate owners do not like this kind of activism.

[ashling]

13. “We’re more badass,” he said, “we don’t take any shit.”

I guess that will teach the city dictator a lesson!

[LittleGirl]

14. Sometimes to get something done

You have to do it yourself. Good for Tom! Awesome. Spread it around.

[calimary]

16. "Do-gooders." Funny how that term has become some sort of pejorative.

I hear it used as some sort of smug, snarky put-down - WAY too frequently.

So doing good is somehow a bad thing? Or a stupid thing? Or a naive thing? Or a "tsk-tsk, poor dears just don't underSTAND" thing? Usually spoken with a sneer or a curled lip or an upturned nose.

Jesus was a "do-gooder." Wonder if they have a problem with THAT?

[Blanks]

18. Horses, that's what they should be using.

...maybe they'll get there. When all the gasoline is gone.