Founders’ Park. August 25, 2018 © Blogfinger photo.  Click to enlarge.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor@Blogfinger.net

It’s a peaceful Saturday afternoon—a perfect summer day with temperatures in the 70’s. Founders’  Park in Ocean Grove is my favorite park because of the open spaces with walkways, trees and scenic views. It is surrounded by historic homes, reminding me of another beautiful park——the Place des Vosges in Paris

There are benches, some in the shade and others in the sun. It’s a great place to sit or lie under a tree to nap or read a book.  And the nighttime photography there can be very dramatic.  It is a place that is historic, sweet, safe and comforting.

At Founder’s Park, some soft rock music could be heard floating over from the A. side. Probably coming from the outdoor stage of the Stone Pony.  Some folks were on the water in swan boats.  Despite the parking overload in town, and the Asburians walking to cross the bridge, this park never seems crowded.  It will get a bit  busier and noisier  as Saturday night approaches.

Meanwhile, a small group of  twenty-something’s had rigged up a tightrope between two trees, but none of them could complete the entire trip.  A couple walking along Lake Avenue stopped to kiss while standing,   Something inspired them at that moment.  They were heading toward the ocean when they decided to stop short and get hot.  Another couple heading east on bikes also had to stop;  she stood by while he fixed a flat.

In the middle of the park is  the site of the famous fountain which is currently in Alabama for a restoration for which  the OG Historical Society  and historian Ted Bell have raised over $100,000 and still counting.  That fountain will be returned and ready to go in time for the town’s 150th anniversary in 2019.

If  you have never visited Founder’s Park, you should go there.   Bring a picnic, a Wiffle Ball game, a dog, a book, a date, a bike,  or a blanket.

Or you can bring a pad and a pen—nobody writes letters any more.  Does anybody  still write love letters?—It’s got to be more romantic and meaningful than a text.

BONNIE JAMES: