letter to the editor

What’s in a park?

Mon, 09/26/2022 - 3:15pm

Dear Editor:

Generally speaking, parks include green spaces, places to sit and if you’re lucky – water views and/or a water feature. Parks are important spaces for many, many reasons but primarily because they offer an opportunity for all to enjoy what is important and restorative for all of us; time spent outside in a beautiful setting with opportunities for play and social interaction. Parks build community.

I walk the eastern waterfront regularly and really love the mixed residential and commercial nature of this side of town. Curious about the stop and go development of the Eastern Waterfront Park I’m trying to educate myself on the root cause of why a public park with a worthy mission statement is such a threat to this commercial/residential area.

I’m beyond impressed by the generosity of so many of the people I’ve met here who donate their time, talent and financial resources toward the well-being, enhancement and preservation of this small community and the stunning environment that surrounds it. This extraordinary commitment for the benefit of others is cause for celebration, truly.

And yet, sadly and inexplicably some of those caring, generous and committed folks are publicly attacked via vitriolic commentary in the Boothbay Register even though the paper states such language is a violation of their policy and will not be tolerated.

In a park, people come together.

Alice Senko

Boothbay Harbor