By William Sokolic
The pocket park near Nashville and Ventnor Avenues won’t reach out and grab you by the lapels and scream “Here I am, look at me, give a darn.”
But in its own modest way, the Ventnor Memory Park accomplishes much the same thing, a respite from havoc within its gates. And on the weekend of June 23, the respite takes it up a notch, thanks to William Shakespeare. A cast and crew of 12 local actors perform “Twelfth Night” in the round within the 80 by 87 foot tract that comprises Memory Park. The production expects to attract a capacity of some 60 guests for each show.
The Ventnor Memory Park was conceived in 2017 as a privately financed project donated by the DeLuca family. The land lies in the heart of what has historically been the most densely built section of Ventnor, spilling off into the commercial district. “To underscore our commitment to the Green Acres Program of our firm intent that the space be FOREVER pervious ground – something coastal towns have too little of,” Paula Hawks-DeLuca says.
Among the other goals sought by the project: open space preservation, a way to highlight native coastal species of trees and shrubs, and a way to enliven community engagement.
“The beauty of 100 percent native species plantings is that upkeep is accomplished by twice per year maintenance sessions,” Hawks-DeLuca says. “In late spring after sedge grasses and pollinators have shot up seed pods and seedings, respectively, there’s a weeding, heavy mulching and trimming tools session to cut back to 4” height which stays put at stable height for the rest of summer. In Fall, pruning needs are addressed.”
The concept and design of the park borrowed from a memory park in Ketchum, Idaho, a pocket park right on the Main Street commercial corridor. “The planning board made it clear that they did not want the park to become a loitering zone for vagrants sleeping on benches, panhandlers, addicts shooting up and leaving needles, accumulating litter and trash, vandals wreaking havoc (of the kind that have found C-Sure Park in need of two major refurbishments since its opening in 2008,”) Hawks-DeLuca says.
The promise is bearing fruit.
“The park is gratified to be finding some expressions of interest from organically, forming local groups, asking for regularly assigned slots at the park. It’s not looking to make any kind of money off such groups. We ask that as a group they make a donation of $50 as a park supporter group and the access cards are priced at $15 for the first one and $12 for each additional card,” Hawks-DeLuca says.
But there are situations that have developed.
For any “exclusive use” of the park, a low rent is charged, and the renter is asked to provide a rider policy of insurance per instructions from the insurance broker, equal to the park’s own insurances for hold, harmless and indemnification reasons and the park does not co-participate in any way in any gross revenue derived. The park is in discussion with a plausible source of docents to provide regular open gate wander-in hours. The park has hosted walk in and enjoy events at no charge to the public.
The park has had a couple break-in incidents resulting in findings of smashed beer glass bottles, near the splash pad. Also, the garden sink has been found plugged by rags with the faucet left on and flooding out a section of ground behind the garden shed. It’s believed that some homeless who wander the neighborhood may have availed themselves of the sink in order to take washcloth baths, Hawks-DeLuca says.
None of this will interfere with Willie Shakespeare.
South Jersey Players will present a 60-minute comic version of “Twelfth Night” with music. The evening includes a Sasscer’s ‘sweet & savory’ pre-show hour – $20 with soft drink $25 with ‘ale’.
“We perform four events in a season,” says Marlene May, artistic director of South Jersey Players. “This is our third year performing at the Ventnor Memory Park. The production is inexpensive, and the cost varies depending on the food served. The maximum seating is for 60 patrons.”
“Among the park’s `open to the public’ at no charge offerings have been Happy Hump Day dances on Wednesdays with DJ’s, Memorial Day gathering with patriotic song sing-along, and again with DJ’s amping up the sound system; a bagpiping concert on weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, and live music when the park was asked to play host as site of the city’s Ventnor Special Events,” Hawks-DeLuca says.
The productions are inexpensive to stage and the cost to the public comes down to the food served, May says. “Twelfth Night” is one of four events the Players perform each year. “The park’s configuration is especially conducive to outdoor entertainment. The circular formation of permanent benches and added rental chairs encourages staging in the round. the park setting is more than perfect. Scenes will take place in four playing areas.”
Cast breakdown:
Featuring: Cormac Morrissey as Duke Orsino; Jamie Weinberg as Olivia; Yamirah Williams as Viola; Ahmad Marshall as Sebastian; Parker Smith as Malvolio; Jen Smith as Feste, Joe Chialastri as Sir Toby; Judy Privitera-Parrish as Maria; Debra Share as Sir Andrew; Jim O’Hara as Captain/Officer/Priest; Joe Casella as Antonio. Shirley Belitsky will narrate, and Reid Alburger will accompany singers on the guitar. Jayce Parrish will portray Cupid and Jack Parrish will provide the fight choreography. Jim Erickson will stage manage with Jolie Parrish assisting. Alana Brogan will create the set design. Spellcaster Pro will provide sound, and Patti Meunier will manage the cocktail hour. Marlene May, producing artistic director of South Jersey Players, will direct the play, assisted by: Scottie Van Duyne, Chikita Wallace and dramaturg,
If You Go:
Twelfth Night will play June 23-25 at Ventnor Memory Park, Nashville and Ventnor avenues.
Time: 7 p.m. on June 23 and 24; 5 p.m. June 25
Includes a ‘sweet & savory’ cocktail hour for $20 with soft drink, $25 with ‘ale’. Reservations: (347) 920 6399.
William Sokolic is a veteran journalist who has written for daily, weekly and monthly publications. He’s covered a wide range of news, features and entertainment stories. Much of his work concerns tourism, Atlantic City, and the gaming industry.
