04 A Park Born from the Community’s Wishes – Making Our Town Even Better
/04 A Park Born from the Community’s Wishes – Making Our Town Even Better
*Joseph is a boy who lives on the outskirts of town and dreams of adventure.
/*Joseph is a boy who lives on the outskirts of town and dreams of adventure.
He was full of energy and loved basketball.
/He was full of energy and loved basketball.
But there was no open space nearby where he could play freely, and when he bounced his ball on the road, adults would warn him, “That’s dangerous!”
/But there was no open space nearby where he could play freely, and when he bounced his ball on the road, adults would warn him, “That’s dangerous!”
One day, on the way home from school, *Joseph passed by the town bulletin board with his mother.
/One day, on the way home from school, *Joseph passed by the town bulletin board with his mother.
There was a big poster displayed.
/There was a big poster displayed.
“Let’s build a park with everyone’s voices!”
/“Let’s build a park with everyone’s voices!”
“Mom, what’s this?” *Joseph asked, and his mother smiled and replied.
/“Mom, what’s this?” *Joseph asked, and his mother smiled and replied.
“The people in town are discussing how to create a place where both children and adults can feel safe. Companies and city hall are also helping.”
/“The people in town are discussing how to create a place where both children and adults can feel safe. Companies and city hall are also helping.”
*Joseph’s heart started to race. “I want a place where I can play basketball too!”
/*Joseph’s heart started to race. “I want a place where I can play basketball too!”
Over the next few weeks, discussions were held all over town.
/Over the next few weeks, discussions were held all over town.
At *Joseph’s school, everyone shared ideas about what kind of park would be nice.
/At *Joseph’s school, everyone shared ideas about what kind of park would be nice.
“It would be great to have lots of playground equipment!”
/“It would be great to have lots of playground equipment!”
“A field where we can play catch!”
/“A field where we can play catch!”
“If there’s a tennis court, I can play with my dad!”
/“If there’s a tennis court, I can play with my dad!”
*Joseph raised his hand and said, “I want a basketball hoop!”
/*Joseph raised his hand and said, “I want a basketball hoop!”
That voice reached the people in town, companies, and city hall.
/That voice reached the people in town, companies, and city hall.
Everyone worked together, and finally, construction began.
/Everyone worked together, and finally, construction began.
A few months later, “Everyone’s Park” was completed.
/A few months later, “Everyone’s Park” was completed.
It had a wide grassy field, a space for playing catch, a tennis court, and the basketball hoop *Joseph had wished for.
/It had a wide grassy field, a space for playing catch, a tennis court, and the basketball hoop *Joseph had wished for.
There were colorful playground structures, and little children were happily playing.
/There were colorful playground structures, and little children were happily playing.
On opening day, townspeople gathered for a lively ceremony.
/On opening day, townspeople gathered for a lively ceremony.
The mayor took the microphone and said,
/The mayor took the microphone and said,
“This park is a place where everyone’s wishes came true. With help from companies, voices from the community, and dreams from children, it was made. Let’s continue to take good care of it together.”
/“This park is a place where everyone’s wishes came true. With help from companies, voices from the community, and dreams from children, it was made. Let’s continue to take good care of it together.”
*Joseph stood on the court with his basketball and friends.
/*Joseph stood on the court with his basketball and friends.
When he made a shot, everyone cheered, “Nice!”
/When he made a shot, everyone cheered, “Nice!”
From that day on, the park became the town’s treasure.
/From that day on, the park became the town’s treasure.
In the morning, elderly people took walks; in the afternoon, parents and children played; and in the evening, children’s laughter echoed.
/In the morning, elderly people took walks; in the afternoon, parents and children played; and in the evening, children’s laughter echoed.
One day, *Joseph sat on a bench, watching people play, and thought.
/One day, *Joseph sat on a bench, watching people play, and thought.
“This park was made from all our wishes. I’m part of this town too.”
/“This park was made from all our wishes. I’m part of this town too.”
That feeling continued to shine warmly in *Joseph’s heart.
/That feeling continued to shine warmly in *Joseph’s heart.
Review Questions (Multiple Choice)
/Review Questions (Multiple Choice)
Q1. What park facility did *Joseph want the most?
/Q1. What park facility did *Joseph want the most?
A. Tennis court
/A. Tennis court
B. Basketball hoop
/B. Basketball hoop
C. Field for playing catch
/C. Field for playing catch
Q2. Who cooperated in building the park?
/Q2. Who cooperated in building the park?
A. Only children
/A. Only children
B. Only city hall and companies
/B. Only city hall and companies
C. Local people, companies, and city hall
/C. Local people, companies, and city hall
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
Is there a place in your town where everyone can feel safe? What kind of place would make it even more fun?
/Is there a place in your town where everyone can feel safe? What kind of place would make it even more fun?
Have you ever shared your opinion or gotten involved in your community like *Joseph did? When was that?
/Have you ever shared your opinion or gotten involved in your community like *Joseph did? When was that?
