I am very concerned about the decision to allow parking at Gordon’s Pond for the July Fourth fireworks.
Since there will be no shuttle from Gordons Pond into downtown Rehoboth, visitors will be in a fairly distant location to watch the fireworks. If visitors want to get into downtown Rehoboth, the choice will be to walk along the beach - try dragging a stroller that distance in the sand - or a walk along Ocean Drive to Surf Ave - filled with frustrated Fourth of July parkers trying to get to Gordons Pond or being turned away from Gordons Pond.
Further, Rehoboth Main Street, the sponsor of the July Fourth fireworks, has the mission of supporting the downtown Rehoboth businesses and encouraging the public to shop downtown. How does it benefit the downtown merchants to have the occupants of 400-plus cars stuck at Gordons Pond or attempting to walk the two miles into downtown Rehoboth.
Additionally, the decision to have July Fourth parking at Gordons Pond also poses a safety hazard for residents who live in North Shores, Henlopen Acres and the Pines. In these three communities many residents walk with their young children and grandchildren to their beaches to watch the fireworks. Now they’ll have to add navigating a traffic jam on Surf and Ocean avenues to their Fourth of July celebration
Finally, Ocean Drive is the only way in and out of North Shores. What happens if there is a fire or medical emergency? Does someone have to suffer needlessly because rescue vehicles are stuck in traffic?
And what happens when the fireworks are over? The ensuing traffic mess doesn’t even bear contemplating - 400 cars trying to leave Gordons Pond going through the Pines to reach to Route 1.
The decision to allow parking at Gordon’s Pond for the Fourth of July is ill considered and should be rescinded.
Helen Hoart
Rehoboth Beach
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