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Excited About the Possibilities

In the Oct. 31 issue [letter “Why Not Westbrook?”], I asked the Town of Westbrook why we don’t have a better playground behind the fire department. Since then, a parent suggested I check out Wren Park, which I had never been to. I am excited about the possibilities there.

Wren Park would be an ideal location for a great new playground, as it is quiet, there is no traffic other than the cars in the parking lot, and there is a perfect level space between the existing parking lot and the soccer field. There is enough room for a large playground (and dare I say, a splash pad). The park is conveniently located next to the elementary school and library; children could walk there easily and safely from either building without crossing a road. The existing concrete building could be made into two composting toilet bathrooms like the ones at Gillette Castle, which are inexpensive, eco-friendly, and are super nice. It would also be wonderful to have a walking/jogging path around the soccer field.

There are few places in town where a person can safely jog, push a stroller, or have a small child pedal a bicycle with training wheels. To mitigate vandalism and loiterers in the park, the town could install cameras linked to Valley Shore 911. Increased police patrols would keep knuckleheads away.

The playground behind the fire department could be converted into a much-needed dog park. It is centrally located in town, is already fenced in and has a water supply, and shade structures—cover the entire area with wood chips and it would be a perfect dog park. The existing playscapes could be relocated to the town beach, where they would become the foundation for a simple new beach playground. Why not Westbrook?

Hiram Fuchs

Westbrook