ROCKPORT — For years, it was simply RES ("taking the kids over to RES to play T-ball). Then it was "the former RES" or "the old RES", or to be really specific, "the former Rockport Elementary School site on West Street." 

But no more.

Now, the 7.67 acre vacant parcel that had been home to the Rockport Elementary School for almost 60 years (the school itself was  torn down in 2013) will forthwith be simply the Rockport Common.

Voting unanimously at a May 13 regularly scheduled meeting, the Rockport Select Board agreed to the new name after a brief discussion based on information submitted by the Lesher Foundation, the nonprofit that is collaborating with the town to create a park on the town-owned land.

The process to turn that parcel into a park has been underway since voters approved the public-private venture in June 2023 at annual town meeting. Voters accepted (Yes: 606; No: 93) the Lesher Foundation's proposal to help make the RES site a permanent public park and recreation area. The Foundation agreed to fund the project with $3 million to get it up and running.

In March 2025, the floor was opened to the public to rename the site.

"Our goal was to invite meaningful public input while ensuring the final name reflects both the spirit of the site and its long-term identity," said the Lesher Foundation, in a May 13 memo to the Select Board.

The process included a public survey inviting open-ended name suggestions and presented themes, such as nature, gathering, and heritage, drawn from public input during earlier community meetings.

Rockport Common(s) was the top crowd favorite, the memo said. Others suggested RES, or recognizing, "the Lesher family, whose generous support made the park possible. (The Leshers declined to have the park named after them.)"

Just recently, another round of public opinion was invited, and Rockport Common rose to the top.

"The final name recommendation reflects the spirit of community participation, the unique identity of the site, and the commitment to creating a welcoming public space for all," the memo said.

"It was a phrase that hit," said Town Manager Jon Duke.

"Throughout this process, the idea of a village green for the Town of Rockport that represents all portions, all villages, all that is accessible to all was so important," said Duke. 

The common village green is synonymous with New England communities, said Duke.

"As soon as I read it, I said that's a home run," he said, complimenting the Lesher Foundation for listening to the community throughout the park creation and naming process.

Rockport Select Board Michelle Hannan spoke about the importance of the Rockport Common to the town.

"We are fortunate to be in this situation," she said. "There are not a lot of communities that have people who donate the time and money like the Leshers.... Everything they have done — giving back to the community — for us that have grown up here, that it is amazing. For those of you that didn't, it is also amazing. To see somewhere that we spent all of our days growing up to become something that children of this community, and surrounding communities, can spend their days is special. I am looking forward to see what comes about there."

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com;706-6657.