Labor Day weekend. Visitors are enjoying Riley Park. It is at the Bradley Beach train station on Main Street. All photos by Paul Goldfinger © 9/4/20.  Click to enlarge.

By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor @Blogfinger.net.

Riley Park is about the size of our Firemen’s Park, but it is much better.   The obelisk in the center, dedicated to WWI vets is open—no concentration camp-style black pointed metal fences around it and no ugly brambles with needles to get stuck on.

Children play at the base of that monument and climb up and down on it.  And they happily laugh and run around the beautifully paved open area.

The park represents several themes that are lacking in OG’s parks. For one, there is music–a bandstand was just constructed.   I can see musicians playing there and people gathering around on blankets and chairs.

And they have a “police lives matter” memorial which is dedicated to Police Officer Jack Wright of Bradley Beach who lost his life apprehending two armed criminals.

So B. Beach finds a way to honor heroes in their parks, but our Mt. Hermon park  only honors firemen.  Firemen’s park should be called “Heroes Park” to honor EMS, lifeguards, police, military, fire fighters, and front-line healthcare workers and even politicians who provide true public service.

It should be a place for art, music and history.

Firemen’s Park is a disgrace regarding landscaping care and artistry, including trees which are allowed to become dangerous.

Here is a flowering tree in Riley’s Park worthy of a child’s admiration.  Her parents took her picture with that tree. Blogfinger photo.

Notice the places to sit and have a picnic or a coffee. Across from the park is a fine coffee shop and an Italian bakery where visitors stand in line for a treat and then walk over to the park to sit comfortably and admire the visual delights.

And finally, there is a historic building adjacent–it used to be a train station but now is Ocean Grover Reenie Van Buren’s “Back in Time Café.”      Reenie has been busy with outdoor breakfast and lunch innovative cuisines. She will gradually move back inside.

Riley Park reflects a sense of pride and community.  Firemen’s Park does not.

Walk through the park to Reenie’s “Back in Time Cafe,” busy this weekend. 9/4/20. Blogfinger photo.  Click to enlarge. Visit her; she would love to greet Grover neighbors.

JAMES TAYLOR AND YOYO MA.  From the album Songs of Joy and Peace..