Residents Ask City Council To Protect Rights to Use Parks

As summer approaches, Cambridge residents begin to think about spending their time outdoors. Last night they forced their elected representatives to think about it too, as citizens' groups brought concerns over use of Cambridge parks before the city council meeting.

Richard Spiers, a member of the international music organization Rock Against Racism, said his group had been denied use of Riverside Press Park because of "discrimination against rock."

Spiers said that although some people feel outdoor rock concerts attract undesirbale listeners, his group is different.

"We're not the wrong element," he explained. "We just want to bring different groups of people to relax together and listen to each others' own kind of music."

But Cambridge never allows any type of concerts in the park, said City Manager Robert W. Healy. "Our facilities are limited as they are, and overused as they are, and rock concerts can damage city property," he added. Healy will make the final decision on the group's request next week.

In another hearing, the council endorsed the petition from "People for Riverbend Park" to extend the time they can close a section of Memorial Drive for children to ride bicycles, a seven-year-old summer tradition.