I am writing to comment on the article that was printed in your paper on Nov. 23 entitled “Let there be lights” in which you interviewed a young lady named Samantha Stromberg.  

I lived in Port Townsend pre-skate park and wrote an article for “The Vigilance” (a volunteer community newspaper) when it was still operational entitled “Why Port Townsend should have a skate park” in which I cited most of the same reasons that were listed in your article, number one being a place for youth to participate in positive activity. 

Years have passed since the days of “The Vigilance” yet the skate park remains and by all measures most would say it is a success. It is a safe place for youth and families to spend time and enjoy activity right here in town and is heavily utilized. 

Now that we have our fabulous skate park, let’s finish the job and install lighting that works with a timer to make it functional in the winter hours as well. Just because the seasons change, the need doesn’t for the people that count on the skate park. Much like how outdoor tennis courts are lit at night, so should the skate park be. To not have lighting is wasting a highly valuable community recreational resource that we already have.  

This “Dark Sky” reasoning is nothing more than an excuse not to take action. The field across the street, Memorial Field, is lit and has been for years. You don’t hear the neighbors complaining about that, the few that there are. Not to mention that the closest neighbor to the skate park is not a residential area but is Hudson Point.

What everything always comes down to is priorities. The truth is, we can find the funding to support the one time expense of lighting the skate park and the maintenance cost of the power. It’s really a matter of priorities.   

It’s time to stop stalling and start installing lighting at the skate part, no more excuses!

Greta Stromberg
PORT TOWNSEND