A Walk in the Park (#4)
During a morning walk with a friend in a local, well-established park, I found myself drawn in by the community atmosphere. Enormous trees set the scene, providing a sense of peace and welcome shade. Landscaped areas added color and visual interest. There were people all along the way, though it never felt crowded. Some were running while others strolled casually, often nodding or saying hello. Many were walking their dogs, as my friend was doing, and we often stopped to chat and share comments about our pets. Happy children’s voices could be heard in the background. The shared community in that place made it feel welcoming.
As I walked the trails in our park a few days later, I thought about that previous walk. I stopped and looked around as I imagined what was to come. What would Northeast Community Park be like in five years? In ten, or twenty?
When I mentioned my thoughts to Joe Sardo, Project Manager for the park, he commented that building a park isn’t the same as constructing a building that goes up in a few months and is complete. A park takes years to develop, he said, and it grows and changes all along the way.
Though I enjoyed my walk in the mature park, I love my regular walks through this new park. I am excited to think about what is coming even while I enjoy it today. I look forward to watching the trees grow and begin to provide shade for the benches and walkways. By next spring and summer, we will see the effects of the hard work put into the landscaped areas as plants and flowers become more established. The community gardens will enable many to learn how to grow their food. And the playground and sports areas will provide hours and hours of happy play for the community's families.
Our vision statement says, “The Northeast Community Park exists to provide a safe, inviting, and open space for our community to gather, grow, and get to know each other.” I smile as I watch the park take shape and dream about the community atmosphere that will develop in this place in the months and years ahead. What fun to get to watch it happen right before our eyes!