On June 10, Rockport voters have an opportunity to shape our town’s legacy by voting yes on Article 4.

This article would authorize the Town Manager to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant—potentially worth up to $500,000—to support the revitalization of what has long been known as the RES site, and what we are now proud to call Rockport Common.

This vote isn’t about bureaucracy or budgets. It’s about values. It’s about what kind of community we want to be, and what kind of inheritance we want to leave behind.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of America’s most visionary programs. Created in 1965, it uses revenues from offshore oil and gas leases—not taxpayer dollars—to invest in parks, trails, and public lands across the country. It’s a quintessentially American idea: using resources extracted from nature to protect and expand our access to it. And now, Rockport has the chance to become part of that legacy.

If approved, Article 4 would unlock a federal match that allows a private donation—$3 million from the Lesher Family Foundation—to stretch even further. This is not a handout. It’s a partnership. The town brings a compelling project and a generous local match. The federal government brings national resources to amplify the impact. The result? A more vibrant, accessible, and welcoming green space for all of us.

The Common will be a place for concerts and farmers markets, playground games and quiet walks. It will be a place where kids grow up, neighbors meet, and visitors linger. And it will support our local economy—both during construction and through the long-term benefits of outdoor tourism and recreation.

Some may ask: Why does this require a vote? The answer is simple, and important. LWCF grants come with a promise—that the parkland we improve with these funds will remain protected as public recreation space for generations to come. If the Town ever wanted to repurpose the site for a different use, it would be required to create an equivalent recreational space elsewhere. That safeguard is not a burden; it’s a benefit. It ensures that the investments we make today will still be serving Rockport 50 years from now.

We’re not the first generation to make this choice. Rockport has partnered with LWCF five times before: at Mary Lea Park in 1966, Marine Park in 1973 and 1983, and the Marge Jones Recreational Facility in 1991 and 1994. Each time, our town leaders had the foresight to act—and we continue to enjoy the benefits of those decisions today.

After nearly two years of community meetings, design workshops, and public input, Rockport Common is ready to take the next step. Article 4 represents the culmination of that work—and the chance to ground our shared hopes in a nationally supported program with a proud history and proven results.

Let’s vote yes—not just for a park, but for a legacy of stewardship, community, and common good.

Rockport Common Working Group: Kristin Johns, Toni O’Berry, Eric Winters, Allen Mitchell, Noni Ames, Charlton Ames, Sarah Sheldon, Grace Chen, and Anna Sideris.