Lewes grants 10-year lease for farmers market

The Historic Lewes Farmers Market has a home for at least the next 10 years. 

Lewes Mayor and City Council unanimously approved a 10-year agreement to lease the farmers market space in George H.P. Smith Park. Mayor Ted Becker recused himself, as he leases office space to HLFM.

The farmers market has been operating in the park since 2016, after relocating there from the Lewes Historical Society complex on Shipcarpenter Street, where it had been for a decade. 

Deputy Mayor Fred Beaufait was initially hesitant to grant a 10-year lease because he didn’t want to handcuff future councils. After council discussed granting a five-year lease with an automatic renewal if HLFM met all conditions, they ultimately decided a 10-year agreement was best.

Councilman Rob Morgan voiced a concern over a recently found lease agreement between the city and Cape Henlopen School District. The city leases a section of George H.P. Smith Park from the district for $10 per year, and he was concerned granting a long-term sublease could create issues if the district wanted to use its land in the future.

HLFM Vice President Nancy Staisey said if such a situation were to arise, the market could relocate to another section of the park or make other arrangements.

Councilwoman Bonnie Osler said council received many emails about the farmers market, but none that were against the request.

The request came to council with a unanimous recommendation from the city’s parks and recreation commission. Concerns had also been raised at the parks and rec meeting.

Commissioner Christine Besche said that while the grass returns each year, it doesn’t look great during the months it is in operation. Commissioner Lorna Dempsey asked if officials could ban trucks from driving on the grass in the park. Though the ground was already compact when the market started using it in 2016, she said, constant use could make conditions worse.

Market officials meet with parks and marina administrator Alison Kirk every fall to assess the area where the market operates. She identifies what work is to be done, and HLFM is responsible for making all repairs.

Council was satisfied with that arrangement.

The farmers market runs from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, from early May until the end of September. To learn more, go to www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org.