I'm writing to share about an experience at College Square Park in Cambridge on Wednesday, July 15.
My husband and I were in town with our two-year-old son for the visitation of my grandfather at the funeral home. We stopped by the park before hand to let our son play for a bit and burn up some energy.
We had a very upsetting experience. A group of soon to be 10th graders were at the park hanging out. Their behavior was beyond crass and rude. While they smoked and used the worst language, we were forced to listen to them verbally abuse a woman with a child with Down Syndrome.
They called the little child “retarded” and made hurtful comments. The woman was quite upset and left. The teenagers just laughed and continued to talk loudly about getting high and cursing.
Another woman asked the teens to quiet down, and when she turned her back to them they threw things at her.
My husband did not grow up in Cambridge, I did. I was ashamed and disgusted by their behavior.
My husband told the boys no one needed to listen to them or the way they were talking. They responded that we did not need to be at the park.
After talking with family members at the visitation, I was informed that these teens have been asked to stay out of the park because of previous incidents such as this. Everyone has the right to enjoy the park without being verbally abused.
When visitors pass through my home town, the last people I want representing Cambridge is this group of disrespectful, belligerent teenagers. If anyone else has had experiences like mine, I hope they also speak up. An end must come to their terrible behavior and disgusting treatment of fellow townspeople.
Kala Franck-Koehler
