Farmers Market Reopens To Good Reviews

In a recent citizen survey of residents the top two events chosen by respondents on the island may well have surprised many who took the time to review those choices. Top of the list would be the Farmers’ Market and the second was the popular Christmas Island Style Events. It was no wonder then that the newly rededicated Veterans Community Park saw large crowds for its dedication and the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 3rd, and then on December 7th for the first Farmers’ Market of the 2022-2023 Season.

The crowds that descended upon both sets of events were significant in size as well as positive in their reviews of the newly completed layout of the park.

During the year-long reconstruction of the park during the 2021-2022 season some had voiced their displeasure with the relocation of the Farmer’s Market to the Mackle Park location last year. There was little of that dissatisfaction voiced of the new layout of the park and the subsequent improvements to it.

Parking improvements, new restrooms, improved walkways and seating areas were amongst the amenities which received compliments as pedestrians strolled through the park and would re-familiarize themselves with their favorite vendors. Children were observed utilizing the swings and other various recreational opportunities.

“Gosh, I can’t even begin to remember how it was before. This is just spectacular,” said Betsey Gritzen from North Stonington, Connecticut. Pete Simoneau and his wife Patsy from Altoona, Pennsylvania had similar comments. “We’ve been coming down for a number of years now, renting for six months and are very impressed. It’s beautiful, especially in the evening with the lighting,” said the Simoneaus.

The city had acquired the land which is now known as Veterans Community Park shortly after incorporation. The design phase of the park began about eight years after its acquisition when a volunteer citizens committee held numerous public meetings known as Charettes to take public comments regarding what they would like to see encompassed within the design of the park.

Kimley-Horn, a nationally recognized design consultant out of Sarasota, Florida worked with the committee and city staff as a plan would begin to come together over the fourteen years since planning for the park began.

The Farmers’ Market has now reopened for the 2022-2023 season and based upon an unofficial polling of both the public and those vendors who will be there every Wednesday until late this spring, all seems to be going well.