At the Feb. 2 regular meeting of the Van Buren Township Board of Trustees, Ruth Bleeker spoke to the board about beautiful Van Buren Park. Ruth has lived in the VBT-Belleville area for 60 years and worked for a VBT supervisor. Now she lives in the city of Belleville.
She’s always thinking and was responsible for a Christmas tree being planted at the Bridge in Belleville a few years ago.
She told the board a report in the Independent a while back quoted Clerk Wright when he spoke about better use and attendance at the park. She said that stuck in her mind.
She remembers Detroit Edison Park that was there before it was Van Buren Park and when her family used to picnic and camp there. A beautiful, lakeside site.
She said she hears complaints about Strawberry Festival in downtown Belleville and problems with noise, parking, and use of city services for the event. Some businesses close for festival week end because it’s impossible to function. She asked the board to consider moving Sumpter Fest to Van Buren Park and to formally place that on an upcoming agenda.
Supervisor Combs said she would have conversations with the city’s mayor because, she said, the festival belongs to Belleville. What do you think? Would the Strawberry Festival be more fun in a grassy parkland than on city streets?
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Parade and all? How would the churches stay involved if they are so far from Van Buren Park? At least two churches have several events.
Not sure exactly what the benefits would be for the festival to be held at the beautiful VB Park? It seems like the churches want the visitors to come to them rather than setting up a tent at the park? Probably the whole venue would have to change. Mrs. Bleeker has some wonderful ideas so let’s hear more details from her.
I love Van Buren Park, but I do not think this will be a good idea. Secluding it in a park, tucked away from site of the average travelers would hurt the festival, not help it. The public loves Street Fairs, a chance to see the downtown area, and easy to get in an out. I know I personally hit many of the neighboring cities street fairs, but only go to my churches festival held in their parking lot. I like the feeling of being in the open, not locked into a location (even if the park is big).