To the Editor:

Grasse River Heritage is an all-volunteer not-for-profit community organization that exists to develop and promote cultural, economic, educational, and recreational opportunities and to conserve the beauty and environmental quality of the Grasse River corridor in the Village and Town of Canton.

Among other activities, we own and maintain Heritage Park, Dwight Church Park, and the Willow Island Sculpture Garden along the river in the village of Canton. We are proud to partner with Canton Village and Town government and community organizations to improve our community. Presently, we are a partner with the village and town on developing community assets on Willow Island, on Village of Canton parkland adjacent to our Sculpture Garden.

This has been an ongoing, public effort that has provided several opportunities for community input – input that has been received and incorporated, and there will be more opportunities for public comment as the project moves forward. We are enthusiastic about the development of an outdoor performance space that our children and community members can use to play music, put on plays, give addresses, and provide other public entertainment and educational activities.

As reported in the press, at a recent meeting of the village and town boards, a Canton community member came to voice his objection to “turning [Willow Island Park] over to Grasse River Heritage.” I am writing to state unequivocally that Grasse River Heritage does not now and never has had any intention of acquiring or assuming management over Willow Island Park. This has never been discussed within the organization or between the organization and village or town government. We do intend, however, to continue to partner with local government and other organizations to improve waterfront assets for our community, as is our mission, and we do so openly and proudly.

Tom Langen
Board President, Grasse River Heritage