I commend our La Conner parks commissioners for their work on the plans for the new Maple Avenue park.

Based on citizens’ input from 350 surveys completed last year, the commission hired a local landscape architect to develop a preliminary design that speaks to citizens’ interests. I had the opportunity to view the preliminary plan presented at the parks commission meeting on April 7.

I was pleased to see that the plan maintains open space and creates an inviting array of amenities for young children and families. To me, it also creates a fluid, soothing and peaceful landscaping approach around the perimeter of the park.

The plan creates some terraced seating adjacent to the Maple Avenue sidewalk which also serves as a hard edge for safety reasons next to the street where traffic is the busiest.

The open space east of the children’s play equipment is a welcoming space for walking, informal play and enjoying views of the farmland.

Landscaping with trees and shrubs around the site will provide a pleasant back-drop to the informal play spaces.

We should encourage pedestrian access to the park from the adjacent new housing development to help soften the hard edge of the new building facades.

I look forward to seeing how the park plan and proposed budget come together for a state grant submission. This project creates the opportunity for a green, open space that can be enjoyed by our community for many years to come.

Susan Macek

Greater La Conner