Parks and Cape Women Online

Before I get to today's "P" post, I wanted to share that my article entitled "A Midwesterner's Love Letter to Martha's Vineyard" was published in the Spring issue of Cape Women Online this week. I was a little nervous about this article because it's one of the most personal things I've ever written, but now that it is finished I'm super excited to have it on the site. I'm celebrating its publication for this week's Celebrate the Small Things hop!

If you'd like to read the article, please visit the magazine site here.

Now on to P and the parks of Martha's Vineyard.

Since Martha's Vineyard is a beautiful island, it's no surprise that it is the home of some beautiful parks.

Owen Park, named for William Barry Owen, who is known for purchasing the rights to Thomas Edison's Victor Talking Machine, is one of those. After his death in 1914, Owen's widow gave the land the park is situated on to the town of Vineyard Haven and the park was born. Located on the Vineyard Haven harbor, it's a picturesque park that is also close to the town's shops and restaurants. Clancy and I enjoyed our visit there last year.

Another charming park is Ocean Park in the town of Oak Bluffs, which was featured in yesterday's "O" post.

Ocean Park gazebo (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The gazebo shown above is the centerpiece of the park. When I was a kid, band concerts were held at the park every Sunday evening in the summer. While the band played inside it, kids would run around the gazebo.

When my niece was a baby in the early 1980s, my dad would pick her up and take her around and around to the music. What I remember most about this is that our dog couldn't stand it if she was not included. She would insist on accompanying my dad and niece and wouldn't be left out. I can't remember if other dogs joined in, but it wouldn't surprise me if they did because the island has always been very dog-friendly.

I can't see the gazebo now without thinking of our little beagle/dachshund dog with her big ears flapping in the wind and her little legs going like crazy to keep up with the concert runners.

My A-Z of Martha's Vineyard theme is inspired by my book, The Ghosts of Aquinnah, which is set on the island. Click here for all the info on the book.