SOUTHWICK – Whalley Park will be open during the July 24 fireworks to a limited number of vehicles.
The Parks and Recreation Commission voted this week to offer VIP parking at the park for 61 cars for a suggested $10 donation per vehicle. Fireworks spectators on foot will also be able to enjoy the display at the park for a donation and will be able to walk from the Southwick Days carnival at the Southwick Recreation Center into the park.
Originally, the park was going to be closed during the event, but now that it is open, bylaws require it to remain open. Commissioner
John Whalley suggested charging $10 for parking, but fellow commissioners Daniel Call and Jeanne Reed-Waldron did not support a fee.
“I’m not happy to charge $10 per car,” said Call. “I have never paid to watch fireworks and I’m uncomfortable with that.”
Reed-Waldron agreed and said it was “not good PR” to charge at this time.
“I’m not saying it’s not good somewhere down the road. I just don’t think it looks good for Whalley Park right now,” she said.
Call said “at this point I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.”
Both Call and Reed-Waldron said a suggested – but not required – donation of $10 was a good compromise.
Last week the Commission met with Selectman and Southwick Rotary Club member Joseph Deedy to discuss concerns about the park being open.
Deedy said the Rotary was concerned that Whalley Park would divert traffic away from its Southwick Days event. Deedy said next year he hopes to have Southwick Days at Whalley Park.
Southwick Days is set for July 24-26 at the Recreation Center and features fireworks Friday night around 9 p.m. On Saturday, the Fireman’s Parade will highlight the day’s events stating at 6 p.m. with live music by the Charlie Galvin Band at 7 p.m. Sunday’s activities include a Vintage Baseball Challenge at 1 p.m., fundraising car show from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and the Grill’n Daze competition at noon with music from Jack & His Guitar followed by the Rich Sadowski Blues Band from 2-6 p.m.
