Lewes farmers market wants to stay in Smith Park

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market is seeking to stay in George H.P. Smith Park for another three years.

The request will be considered by the Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission at 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 19.

It was announced earlier this year that the Lewes Historical Society complex on Shipcarpenter Street, the home of the farmers market for more than 10 years, would no longer be available.

The farmers market relocated to Smith Park in the spring. The move was expected to be temporary while the historical society grounds were renovated. However, the new grounds will no longer accommodate the market, so officials had to find an alternative.

Ultimately, market officials say Smith Park is the ideal location.

“We really love the park, and think it's the perfect place for the market,” said Helaine Harris, farmers market president, in an email. “Over the past season, we have seen this underutilized park blossom into a space that the Lewes community now uses and enjoys.”

Since opening in the park in May, Harris said, she has seen families picnicking and children playing in the park.

“We also believe we have opened up this treasure of a park to many who did not even know it was there,” she said.

The market averages 35 vendors each week. It runs from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, from May through November.

When the issue went before the city's parks and recreation commission last fall, neighbors opposed the farmers market's request to move to the park. Reasons varied from traffic issues to wear and tear on the park.

While the market's activity has worn the grass, Harris said, the grass is expected to be restored at the market's expense.

To deal with traffic and parking issues, she said, market officials continue to encourage people to park at Shields Elementary and the Lewes School and walk or ride bicycles to the market. Volunteers have monitored traffic to stop people from parking in front of driveways or illegally, she said.

“We have looked again at other locations, but nothing much has changed – the George H.P. Smith Park location is still the very best location for the market in Lewes,” Harris said.