In response to increased crime in Manchester’s Veteran’s Park, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce is launching a new initiative to improve its condition.
Manchester Alderman Patrick Long says that in the past few years, Veteran’s Park has garnered a reputation for more theft, public drinking, and fights.
“I’ve gotten complaints from the elders that live around here that tell me they’re afraid to walk through the park, never mind sit and enjoy it.”
In response, Manchester Police have stepped up downtown patrols, and the Chamber of Commerce announced a new initiative on Tuesday called “Lunch in the Park.” It encourages residents and business owners to gather in Veteran’s Park and talk about ways to improve it. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Robin Comstock says the goal is to spur community involvement.
“We felt that we wanted to be very positive – this is an asset, it is the gateway to the city of Manchester; we wanted to honor this park’s place in this city. And so we thought that one of the issues with this park is that more people from more segments of community need to be involved in this park. They need to enjoy it, they need to experience it, and they need to cherish it.”
This past May, the city told a church-based group “Do You Know Him? Ministries” that it could no longer serve breakfast to the city’s homeless population in Veteran’s Park, after downtown business owners complained.
The three “Lunch in the Park” events will take place on June 20, July 18, and August 5 from 11 a.m.-1p.m.
