Post Messenger Recorder -

Dear Editor,

The spring election is approaching and one issue that divides the candidates for Exeter Township Chairman is the overall value of Exeter Park to the community. The park sits along the Sugar River in Dayton, and offers many outdoor activities for local residents and those that travel the short distance from other communities. In addition to fishing and kayak access to the river, the park has a 9-hole disk golf course, a basketball court, park shelters, and benches and tables for use by picnickers, or those who wish to otherwise enjoy the outdoors.

The majority of low-maintenance amenities at the park are donated by area residents with guidance provided by Park Committee members and Township leadership. I personally was given the opportunity to collaborate with township leaders this past summer to donate and install two covered tables at the park. Through that opportunity, I was fortunate to meet five of the township leaders, neighbors that I would likely have never known without this shared-effort community gathering place. I have two adult sons that routinely meet their friends at the park for a round of disk golf or to shoot basketball, and I am always pleased to see them outdoors knowing they’re away from the TV or their computer games. With the park, the same opportunities will be there for the younger generation to enjoy as well.

In closing, I believe that park usage will continue to increase as Exeter grows in population and that the availability of public access to the Sugar River is very important. I feel that the park adds to the sense of Exeter itself as a community and a that it is a worthwhile investment now, and perhaps will be even more so in the future as other river frontage is no longer available.

Please consider the issue and supporting candidates when voting in the April election.

Tim Stoikes,

Belleville