Lewes farmers market to stay at Smith Park through 2019

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market has a home for the next three years. Lewes Mayor and City Council voted 4-0 Oct. 17 to grant a temporary-use permit allowing the market to use of George H.P. Smith Park through 2019.

Mayor Ted Becker recused himself from discussion and vote because he is the landlord of office space rented by the farmers market.

The market moved to Smith Park this year after a renovation project at its original home, the Lewes Historical Society, closed access to all events for the 2016 season. As the project moved along, officials from both the historical society and the farmers market determined the renovated space was no longer suitable for the market.

Market officials said they sought a three-year extension in order to give them time to search for a permanent location.

“We need to have some sense of security for the next few years so that we can put our energy more into trying to identify a long-term location and solution,” said Nancy Staisey, market board member.

In the interim, market officials said, George H.P. Smith Park is ideal because it is centrally located with good accessibility for customers who prefer to walk or bike. The park is also preferable to a parking lot because it is cooler during the summer months. There is also an abundance of parking surrounding the park at Beebe Healthcare, the Lewes School and Shields Elementary.

The temporary-use permit came with more than a dozen conditions, including an annual evaluation by the parks and recreation commissioners in charge of the park. Other conditions address parking, noise, insurance, hours, dogs and damage to the park.

Traffic, parking and damage were among concerns of people who opposed allowing the farmers market’s to use the park.

“I’ve had an opportunity to meet with some of the people more directly affected by having the farmers market there, and I understand their situation,” said Deputy Mayor Fred Beaufait. “As I’ve thought about this in terms of the overall good for the city, it would be a tragedy if we lost the farmers market. It is a very positive institution in the life of the city. It brings a lot of people to the city, and I think that I can truthfully can say my colleagues and I gave a lot of thought to the situation.”

Others opposed said the farmers market was an inappropriate use of the park.

In describing her reasoning for voting in favor of the market, Councilwoman Bonnie Osler pointed to other similar uses in the city’s parks, specifically the Dragon Boat Festival in Canalfront Park and Delaware by Hand in Zwaanendael Park.

“I don’t think there is any real dispute that the market provides a benefit to all of us in Lewes,” she said, pointing to the array of fresh and healthy foods offered at the market. “The market also provides us with a tremendous opportunity as a community to come together every Saturday for the months in the summer to discuss the things that are important to us. That’s important for our community and for community building.”

Some residents and farmers market vendors and volunteers came prepared statements, but no public comment was permitted. Councilman Rob Morgan said there was no need for any more, as he had already received well over 100 communications on the issue, through email and letters. Council also had the public record from parks and recreation commission meetings to aid in forming an opinion.

“I find that it would be to the detriment to some of our citizens but to the benefit of many,” he said.

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market will operate in the Shields Elementary parking lot for the remainder of the 2016 season through Saturday, Nov. 19. For more information about the market, go to historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.