A Green Among the Red.
A mural lies on an urban brick wall, which sets the scene as our main focal point amongst the charcoal streets and buildings of red in Bellingham, WA. A rectangular plot of grass is arranged in the center for picnics and outdoor entertainment. Surrounding the emerald grass are wooden benches underneath architecturally crafted trellises. On the ground are bricks of ruby and crimson some engraved with names of those I do not know but I imagine must have had some impact on the community. A number of about twenty-five patrons including myself embrace the afternoon sun as it shines with an amber glow. An odd place among a small, urban town, the Fairhaven Village Green is a local outdoor cinema. Not only does it serve an entertainment purpose, but it is also a lovely way to spend an autumn afternoon in the charming Historic Fairhaven District.
As a new resident of the evergreen state, when I first came upon the green I was surprised by its strange location. As I walk through the streets of “BHAM” for the first time and pass the Village Bookstore I come across the Fairhaven Village Green, who seems somewhat out of place yet at home in the Fairhaven village surrounded eclectic shops and cafes. To some degree a park, such as this green, seems it would better belong in a more residential or suburban area rather than downtown. However, this usual custom is not the same for the village green.
Those that spend their Sunday afternoon here come from many different walks of life but all with mutual intentions, to appreciate the picturesque autumn weather. Many sit unaccompanied with their smart phones in hand scrolling through the latest tweets and Instagram posts. Others sit in pairs discussing the latest episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” and the gossip encompassing their children’s lives. Few sit and participate in predictable park activities such as reading a novel and enjoying a latte from the nearby Colophon Café. Children play in the grass as their parents observe their innocent antics from afar. All of the patrons seem familiar with the village green, as if these actions are a weekly occurrence in their lives. I hope to also become a regular visitor of the green.
In my hometown of Oceanside, California there was no such place where locals could gather to participate in numerous serene activities. More neighborhoods and towns should have locations such as The Fairhaven Village Green to enjoy the outdoors and all of its wonderful qualities. Many today are so involved in their lives and all of their duties that they do not take the time to relish in all that Mother Nature has to offer. If more of these sites existed the inhabitants of the town or neighborhood would be less anxious and more appreciative of the environment around them. All of the individuals whom enjoy this delightful park have enriched their lives with more gratitude for their hometown and will in return be more at peace with the daily stresses of life. Those whom constructed this alluring, urban park strived to incorporate something so organic into a long-standing, city area, and their goal was greatly achieved. As my time here draws to a close and the afternoon turns to evening, a young man begins to sing and play an acoustic melody on his guitar. As if this park could not be any more charming and enchanting. I will most definitely be returning, and hope to in turn become more appreciative of my new home and all that beautiful Bellingham and Fairhaven have to offer. Cannot wait to see how this wonderful green enriches my life as a new college student in this eclectic and peaceful town.
