Ruth Moulton hard at work clearing brush during a Clean & Green work session.
Town Square Park
by Ruth Moulton
Every town needs a central place, some sort of "town square." Such a place serves to create and solidify a community identity; it helps create a "there" there, if you will. And while adding valuable open space and softness in the midst of hard surfaces and structures, it serves many other purposes, some of which are important, even basic, to a good community.
Its openness makes it a place of refreshment in all seasons as it brings in light to the center of the city; there are gorgeous flowers in summer and ice skating in winter; there are autumn colors in our brief fall, and that optimistic, almost joyous, bright green in spring. It provides a bit of respite during a brief walk from corner to corner, and a calm retreat during a lunch-hour spent reading, half-dozing in the sun.
As important, it serves as a place for people to gather--to watch fireworks in celebration or to light candles in mourning; to listen to a military band or to petition their government; to celebrate a holiday season or a cultural community; to meet in silent commemoration or listen to oratory.
For these and many other reasons, Town Square is my favorite park.