Medina should work to upgrade Gulf Street Park

Editor:

After reading the article on Orleans Hub on June 20th, I couldn’t help but notice the opening line: that village officials state that the “playground equipment doesn’t get much use.”

I have been a lifelong resident of Orleans County and reside in close proximity to the Gulf Street Park. In the past decade or so I have noticed that in this area of Medina, there have been more than a handful of new, younger families moving in. These younger families have children.

I have also observed that the older generations who reside in the area have frequent visitors which include young grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, etc.

Having the Gulf Street Playground nearby has been a tease. Children and families are eager to have a playground to use and often look longingly at the playground but the equipment does not go unused due to lack of interest – it goes unused due to lack of safety.

Nearly every piece of equipment there is accompanied by safety concerns and children are frequently upset that parents and guardians limit their access to it (rightfully so). Furthermore, this side of the canal has also seen events happen in the Gulf Street Playground including a yearly catapult event, tents set up for get togethers, children kicking balls around, and the open grass used for softball.

I think it is also worth noting that as we drive by Pine Street Park, there are times when there is no parking available due to the crowding of families attending T-ball/baseball practice there on nights when multiple teams are using the same park.

Why hasn’t Gulf Street Park ever been an option? Why hasn’t Gulf Street Park been an option for soccer? I hear conversations about a disc golf course in this area of town. A beautiful part of town, a beautiful piece of land…used for one area of interest?

I strongly suggest considering the use of this park as a park: to accommodate families, to be a place for those young and old to spend time together, to serve as a location for a variety of sports or leisure activities. I am hopeful that what is included in this letter has already been considered and, if not, will be.

Thank you.

Alyssa Thomas

Medina