Cortez Park

I had an appointment with a physical fitness test here January 30, 2016. Looking up location I saw one rating with one star and some discussion of ‘ghetto’. I respectfully disagree.
I listened to Barack Obama’s final State of the Union Address. As to his theme, «Do not fear the future», I agree. As part of my respectful disagreement, I’d say the writer of review 1 may fear the future.
I just spent two spontaneous months in a household that spent the past half century fully locked down, armed and loaded. The social peril in the house was locked inside and the armed robbery hazard was among the household residents. What should some of us really fear?
Cortez Park isn’t in a ghetto. It’s in a culturally and racially diverse part of town. The people I saw on this Saturday were young families, fishing folk of diverse gender and heritage, Witnesses bearing the truth of Jehovah from 7 to 10 A.M.
I think my African-​American acquaintance, former Air Force officer, consultant etc. living in a ‘better neighborhood’ would be in less danger of getting clobbered by a bottle if he jogged here; he was slurred and bottled-​clobbered by someone driving by in his own neighborhood during a daily jog some years back.
What makes a park gain stars in AZ?
Grass, I mean turfgrass. Check
Pond. Check
Pool. Check
Shade. Check
Picnic Ramadas, BBQ. Check
Sports facilities. Check
Operating Restrooms. Check
And so forth.
I grew up a minority in a town considered tough. The gangsters and fighters were switching from fists, feet, knives and chains to guns. Our community park could be a dangerous place to spend time. The first shooting, 4 p.m. midweek. It could get fearful. I felt no such fear here.
I spent two hours here, met a crowd of easterners playing cricket; met Pete, retired Army vet who can’t get drawn for an elk. Thank you for your service to our nation Pete; no matter the correctness of our leader’s wars. Saw the crew building a beautiful new restroom facility north of the pond. Watched a black crowned heron poach a fat, foot long trout as soon as the Game and Fish truck doled out February’s miserly 10 big nets of fish from the tanker into the pond. Saw chirpers, honkers, quackers and humans of all ages enjoying the morning.
Is Cortez Park a 1 star park? Respectfully, no. It’s much better than «Meh». That public places like this are common in our world, wonderful habitat for all gives me hope for all our futures.

Wow! First review for this ghetto park but i’m not surprised. I had the misfortune of living in the west side of the valley for many years (not my choice) and am very familiar with this park as it’s a hop over the canal from Ghettrocenter during my many visits to their Best Buy before they closed for good. Everyone knows about South Phoenix and Maryvale’s reputations but this neighborhood is just as bad. Lots of homeless people and thugs/​gangbangers congregate in this park and there is always police presence here. If you value your safety do not come to this park, especially at night.