"All in all, it was a never to be forgotten summer -- one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going -- one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world."
-- L.M. Montgomery, Anne's House of Dreams
What’s the point?
Community investments in fun, summer water amenities help give form to terms like “quality of life.”
Ah, the notices of summer come in late May, offering the promise of relief from the heat not yet arrived and of fun, regardless of the thermometer's measure.
Word starts to trickle out, often in early May, as photographs show up in the newspaper and elsewhere documenting the work necessary to negate a winter's worth of inactivity. Then the first announcement comes, soon to be followed by more promises of cool things ahead.
Yes, this Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend will be a splash all over Northwest Arkansas as aquatic centers and pools are opened for a new season. Places to float, to see which swimmer can hold his breath the longest, where the coconut aroma of sunscreen wafts through the air. These places of relief and relaxation will open Saturday in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale and other communities ready to baptize summer with full immersion.
These are the refreshing waters that spring up through community investment. These popular places are not necessities of life, but each town's people have recognized life isn't just about streets and garbage collection. Parks and trails and libraries and swimming pools and splash pads all help set the stage for lives well lived, for people who live here and attractive to people not yet living here.
These are places of youthful fun and, probably sooner rather than later, needed relief from the dog days. These are places where memories of many lifetimes are made, where a photograph captures a moment that even a few decades later can bring smiles. These are places that help define "community."
Let summer begin. And don't forget to soak it all in with resolve to enjoy all it offers, for it comes and goes all too quickly.
Commentary on 05/26/2016