On Monday evening, March 21, I attended the Clark Park Stakeholder's meeting sponsored by the city of Everett. I was glad to represent Trinity in this important conversation about this historical community resource. Clark park was the first park in the city of Everett and came into being in 1894. The people of Trinity Lutheran Church have enjoyed living next to a park for many reasons. Our children and youth have played there - running off energy before sitting down to study! We are also aware of some of the less desirable activities that have happened in the park.

 

During the conversations, the two most frequently asked questions were "What happened to the cannon?" (the cannon is in storage) and "Why does there have to be a fence around the gazebo?" The fence issue seems to be one of public safety, but to have thsi beautiful historical structure behind a fence does little to inspire people to want to spend time at the park. The conversation was open and all opinions were honored, but there are some tough decisions to be made.

 

One thought that kept coming up at the meeting was that if more people kept coming up at the meeting was that if more people used the park for positive activities then the negative things would stop happening. Maybe we need to think of how we can be good neighbors by using th epark more often and inviting others to join us there. I would love to have tables so that we could bring our lunch and eat together there. What else would you like to see at Clark Park? Let me know and I will take your ideas to the next meeting!

 

Thanks for your input,

 

Pastor Jocelyn