The amusement park and the memorial

[Kaylee Elmer]

I agree with you. An amusement park seems like an odd place for a memorial. As a parent, I could see such a thing being upsetting to young children and it could be hard to explain it to them. While it's important to honor the past, I think a different setting would have made more sense.

[Barbara6886]

I have to agree that it doesn’t belong in an amusement park. My thoughts are that it would not be taken seriously in that setting. As a parent I took the opportunity to discuss and educate my children on serious topics throughout history. This is easier done when in a setting set up for it. Having screaming, laughing crowds and roller coasters near by is not that setting.

[Brenda Creech]

I think that having a memorial, somber and sad, is applicable to the amusement park. There are plenty of adults who bring children to the park who want a shady place to stop and rest and this would be the perfect place for something.
I'm torn about how this was depicted in the book. I love that the character was so adamant about having it "just so" in the park, but wonder if it is realistic as most people might want to find compromise and success.

Yeah, I wondered about that too. There could have been some kind of compromise on both sides and they could have worked it out to make everyone happy. Maybe Bridget and the developer of the amusement park were both the type for "my way or the highway." It seemed like it anyway!

[Brenda Creech]

I agree with you. An amusement park seems like an odd place for a memorial. As a parent, I could see such a thing being upsetting to young children and it could be hard to explain it to them. While it's important to honor the past, I think a different setting would have made more sense.

You are right. Plus, children going to an amusement park are there to have fun and they get bored very easily if their parents stop to linger over something! A memorial is not something you would stop to see for just a couple of minutes; it is something you would want to show respect to and learn from.

[Brenda Creech]

I have to agree that it doesn’t belong in an amusement park. My thoughts are that it would not be taken seriously in that setting. As a parent I took the opportunity to discuss and educate my children on serious topics throughout history. This is easier done when in a setting set up for it. Having screaming, laughing crowds and roller coasters near by is not that setting.

Absolutely! Children have short attention spans anyway, so the best learning environment for them is where there are as few distractions as possible!

[Jocelyn Eastman]

I have thought a lot about whether the type of memorial Bridgett wanted should be put in an amusement park. The memorial to the Irish people who suffered so much was an excellent idea, however, was an amusement park the appropriate place to have it erected? Just curious what others' thoughts are on this. I personally don't think the amusement park was the place to put this type of memorial. I felt it would be better to have it placed in the heart of activity, like a town square, or a park, where tourists and citizens alike would see and appreciate it. What are your thoughts?

I would think it depends on the memorial. I’ve seen memorials new trees that are planted or plaques or whole memorial museums.

I don’t think a whole museum would work for an amusement park, though I guess they have that Hall of Presidents at Disney and that’s kind of like a museum. I also don’t think a tree or plaque is quite enough. There are many other types of memorials that could be done.

Whatever it is it would have to be a compromise. But I would think a museum outside the park would be a better investment.

[Susmita Biswas]

I agree, it should be keep in a park or somewhere anyone can see it.

[Ari Martinez]

I'm glad you felt this way because I agree. I think tourists just wouldn't have an appreciation for the memorial and wouldn't be in the mood for it when at an amusement park.

Yeah, when I think of amusement parks, I think of little kids running around everywhere just wanting to have fun, even if some adults were interested in the memorial, their children would probably start complaining about it. I would have preferred it to be at a city square or something like that.

[Brenda Creech]

I have thought a lot about whether the type of memorial Bridgett wanted should be put in an amusement park. The memorial to the Irish people who suffered so much was an excellent idea, however, was an amusement park the appropriate place to have it erected? Just curious what others' thoughts are on this. I personally don't think the amusement park was the place to put this type of memorial. I felt it would be better to have it placed in the heart of activity, like a town square, or a park, where tourists and citizens alike would see and appreciate it. What are your thoughts?

I would think it depends on the memorial. I’ve seen memorials new trees that are planted or plaques or whole memorial museums.

I don’t think a whole museum would work for an amusement park, though I guess they have that Hall of Presidents at Disney and that’s kind of like a museum. I also don’t think a tree or plaque is quite enough. There are many other types of memorials that could be done.

Whatever it is it would have to be a compromise. But I would think a museum outside the park would be a better investment.

I agree, a museum would be perfect. That way more of the history could be included than if there was just a wall memorial or, as you said a plaque. A museum inside an amusement park would never work as parents would not be able to focus on anything because their children wanted to go ride rides!

[bellajavier]

Agreed, memorial is supposed to be a somber event, and amusement park goes against everything it portrays. Town square should've been selected.

[Laura Lee]

That's an excellent question. I, too, thought that an amusement park was an odd choice for placing a memorial. I felt like I was supposed to sympathize with Bridgett, but I honestly thought, "Why would you want such a macabre monument in an amusement park??" A town square or a park would be good; even something next to the main church in town. But an amusement park? Naw. That's not only weird but inappropriate, in my opinion.

[lwahls2]

Totally agree that a memorial would be out of place in an amusement park. I don’t know why they were pushing so hard to make it happen.

[maxiphemmax]

Memorials are better suited for parks or town square, going into an amusement from the word amused, and then noticing people coming to pay respect to their ancestors, the remorseful feelings as already killed the amusement. It might even be scary for children to visit such an amusement park.

[Frans21]

I'm agree with your thoughts and point of view as you said the sort of memorial bridget, pun parks for children and kids and also the peacefull greeny ambience is crucial in the amusement parks.

[Brenda Creech]

I agree, it should be keep in a park or somewhere anyone can see it.

Yes! Somehow I just could not see how it would fit in with an amusement park!