Elsmere is where my Grandparents raised my mother, my mother raised her children, and I am raising my children. I walk throughout the neighborhood almost daily. Many in the community enjoy the bike trail, yet almost all the parks in the Elsmere community need work. Some are basic cosmetics, but some of the issues are safety issues that have plagued the playground equipment for years.

The population of Elsmere is 5,806, and 19 % of that population are children between the ages of 0-15 years.  The Maple avenue park, located across the street from Maple Walk Park apartments, and the Fairgrounds park, adjacent to Dover avenue is my main focus. Those areas have a high concentration of children, many of who live in the Maple Walk apartment complex, which does not have yards to play in. This means that those kids have no other option but to play in the Elsmere parks. The children have rights, one of which is the right to safety. I want to give those children the opportunity to play and be children in a safe, welcoming environment.
 I request your support in making our community safe, welcoming, and socially cohesive for the betterment of not only the children but also the town you proudly represent. The support I am requesting is as follows:

 Funding for the materials to make the public parks safe

 Encouragement from the community to come together and work together to assist in the revitalization of the parks

On behalf of my family, and my community I thank you for your consideration and support on this matter. It means a better community, which is highly important to me. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Theresa Gibison