Lewes farmers market gets nod to stay in Smith Park

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market cleared the first hurdle in its bid to remain in Lewes' George H.P. Smith Park, as the city's parks and recreation commission voted 7-2 Sept. 29 to recommend approval of the group's request for a three-year extension.

The decision did not come without a spirited discussion. Although ultimately voting in favor of the request, Commissioner Pres Lee said he was not entirely sold that the market could not return to the Lewes Historical Society complex, its home for 10 years.

The farmers market moved to George H.P. Smith Park this year on what was expected to be a temporary basis. However, grounds renovations at the historical society changed and resulted in less available space for the farmers market. Officials from the farmers market and historical society released a joint statement earlier this year announcing a mutual split between the two organizations.

Lee made a motion to recommend a one-year extension, but the majority of commissioners agreed to amend the motion to three years. Lee said a one-year extension would allow the farmers market to finish out its first year in Smith Park, then let market officials reseed areas of worn grass. After a year, Lee said, city officials could revisit the topic to entertain a longer stay in Smith Park. It would also offer Lewes Historical Society time to get its complex back up and running, and they could have another opportunity to evaluate the viability of the farmers market on their grounds.

“If we recommend to mayor and city council for a three-year period it’s going to be there forever,” he said. 

Lee's motion for a one-year extension had the support of only four of the nine commissioners.

Parks and Rec Chair Alison Kirk and Commissioner Christine Besche each voted against the three-year extension. Kirk said she voted against because of concerns that a three-year extension could set a precedent for organizers of other annual events to seek longer-term extensions.

Besche had larger concerns. She said she isn't convinced the farmers market is allowed in the park under city code, and asked that the city solicitor analyze the code carefully when advising council. She also wants an environmental impact study completed to determine how market's use affects the park. If approved for further use, she said, she'd like to have a yearly review of the market's impact on the park.

“It’s our responsibility to be good stewards of our parks,” she said. “Everyone agrees that the farmers market is a wonderful thing for the community, but is it a wonderful thing for the park itself? We should consider a yearly review. I don’t think that’s unreasonable. I think that’s responsible.”

Kirk said the commission received 164 comments from the public. The vast majority were in favor of the market staying in Smith Park.

Seven commissioners voted in favor of the three-year recommendation. Those in favor were not concerned with issued raised, such as parking problems, traffic and overuse of the park. Commissioner Dennis Davison pointed to Grove Park in Rehoboth Beach, home of the Rehoboth Farmers Market.

“It's a beautiful park, similar to George H.P. Smith Park,” he said. “You look at it and there's hardly a blade of grass around. Have you heard anyone complaining about it over there? I sure haven't. They welcome that market there.”

Commissioner Mardi Thompson, the city's tree commissioner, said the market is a good use of an underused park.

“I'm there quite a bit watering trees and doing other things,” she said. “I hardly ever see anyone on the turf where the farmers market is, almost never. This part of the park is hardly ever used.”

The final decision is now in the hands of mayor and city council. Council's next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.