THUMB AWARD FERRIS PLAZA IS FOR THE BIRDS

Thumbs Down to the Dallas Park and Recreation Department for its tactics in the somewhat ludicrous battle against the blackbirds in Ferris Plaza. For years thousands of the dirty birds have congregated in the dozen or so live oak trees that line the perimeter of the small park, across from Union Station in the southwest corner of downtown Dallas. The birds have fertilized the grass, dirtied the sidewalks, and occasionally splattered unlucky pedestrians. But in their effort to rid Ferris Plaza of the blackbird menace, the city bureaucrats have almost destroyed the park. Recently, workmen began hacking away at the trees to force the birds to move, turning the usually green live oaks into gaunt stalks that look like they have been defoliated with Agent Orange. And despite their efforts, the blackbirds haven’t budged.