Lewes farmers market request draws crowd

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market says it wants to remain in George H.P. Smith Park for three more years, but some residents and city officials are raising concerns about market's impact on the park, traffic and congestion in the mostly residential area.

At the Sept. 19 parks and recreation meeting, Helaine Harris, president of the farmers market, said her group is requesting to stay in Smith Park because the Lewes Historical Society grounds, the market's home for more than 10 years, is no longer a viable option. She said the society's recent renovations resulted in 40 percent less space for the market.

“We were in tears,” said Harris referring to a meeting she had with historical society officials earlier this year. “The grounds are going to be beautiful, and they're going to work for the craft show, but it won't work for a farmers market.”

She said they discussed closing streets, but ultimately they couldn't make it work.

Parks and rec Commissioner Barry Dunkin said he is not convinced market officials have exhausted all options in looking for a permanent home for the market.

“I think we need to look at all the resources available, and I think the commissioners all need to be aware of all the locations that were considered and all the details of why those locations were not chosen,” he said. “Then we can make a decision as a town or a commission as to what the best place is to serve this community.”

Market board member Nancy Staisey said several locations were considered based on factors such as size of the space available, ease of access by walking or biking and available parking. They also prefer a grass surface because it’s cooler than asphalt during the hot summer months. Some locations include the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal and the Virden Center.

No other location, she said, offers the same amenities as George H.P. Smith Park.

The farmers market has operated out of Smith Park for less than one season, but for some neighbors that’s long enough.

“It is very difficult to come and go or to have visitors to our homes due to the enormous traffic and congestion and park availability, which we were told would be kept to a minimum,” said DuPont Avenue resident Trina Brown-Hicks. “We essentially have to avoid inviting guests to our homes during those hours, especially guests with young children, due to the dangers of increased traffic that we never had to contend with in the past.”

Brown-Hicks asked the commission and farmers market to work on a compromise, including a limit on how often the market could operate in Smith Park and, if approved for future use, an annual review with no extensions longer than one year.

Resident Ric Moore said trampling the grass six to seven months a year and then restoring it each year defeats the purpose of restoring it in the first place.

Resident Barry Simmerman had similar concerns.

“I've gone to that field and park for years, and I have grave concerns for what I see happening there,” he said. “I am very skeptical about the restoration coming up. I think there needs to be a careful, thought-out approach to placing the market, and it needs to be discussed carefully.”

Staisey said the plan is to move the market to the Shields Elementary parking lot in the second or third week of October so they can reseed the worn grass in Smith Park. All work will be done at the expense of the farmers market.

“We're committed to renovating the grounds,” she said.

Farmers attended the Sept. 19 meeting to support the farmers market's request. Henry Bennett, a sixth generation Sussex County farmer, said without farmers markets, he and his family likely wouldn't be farmers.

“It's easy to say the farmers market will always be here, but when you rely on it to pay your bills, to pursue what your ancestors have done on the same land before, it's a lot more difficult to fathom,” he said. “You live with that uncertainty every day.”

Harrington farmer Tommy Eliason asked the parks and rec commission to trust the farmers market.

“These ladies work year round with this market,” he said. “What they say, you can trust.”

The public may send comments to commission chair Alison Kirk at akirk@ci.lewes.de.us through 4 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26. Parks and rec will hold a special meeting to discuss the issue further at 10 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 29. No public comment will be permitted at the special meeting.