Delight In Downs Park At Community Family Day

On an ordinary day, visitors to Downs Park can enjoy scenic views of the Chesapeake Bay, a Victorian-style “mother’s garden,” paved walking trails, basketball courts, a playground, a fishing pier and a dog beach. But on Saturday, June 2, from noon until 4:00pm, visitors can enjoy all those amenities and much more at the annual Downs Park Community Family Day. The free event is sponsored by the Friends of Downs Park, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting and conserving the 236-acre park.

Appropriately titled, Community Family Day promises fun for all ages. Young guests can enjoy bounce houses, pony rides for a small fee, and a performance by magician Wild Willy Woo Woo. Representatives from police and fire departments will provide free information and demonstrations. Visitors can also shop from more than 20 local vendors and learn about area businesses and services. And after all that, if they work up a thirst, attendees can cool off with a shaved iced snowball from Mom’s Grand Stand.

While the event is scheduled for June in hopes of sunshine and warm weather, organizers have been planning it for months. “It’s kind of a year-round thing, but we really get down to securing our vendors in early to mid February,” explained Stephanie McGregor, event co-chair and Friends of Downs Park treasurer. “It brightens our meetings because it’s so cold when we’re starting to plan it.”

McGregor and Cheryl Schwabline, the organization’s secretary and the event’s other co-chair, dedicate countless unpaid hours planning the event in hopes of introducing more community members to the park.

“We do it to make the community aware of the park so they can see what it has to offer,” said Schwabline. “You have to really love this park to be a part of this group. We are a small group and we put our heart and soul into this park — we wouldn’t do it if we didn’t truly love it and believe in it.”

For Schwabline, Community Family Day and Downs Park are close to her heart. Her husband, William, passed away three years ago after suffering from dementia. Preserving the park is her way of honoring his legacy. “This is the one place where he found the most peace, so I brought him here on a regular basis,” she reflected. “This place has a lot of personal meaning to me.”

Like Schwabline, McGregor is a frequent park visitor and got involved with Community Family Day to share her enthusiasm for the Pasadena landmark with others. She is expecting her first child and said she is looking forward to making new memories in the park with her daughter.

Though the event is not designed as a fundraiser, any additional proceeds go directly back to the park. The Friends of Downs Park hope to use any earnings from this year’s Community Family Day to support rebuilding the park’s aging amphitheater to better accommodate musical guests.

Community Family Day will be held at Downs Park, located at 8311 John Downs Loop in Pasadena, on Saturday, June 2, from noon until 4:00pm. The event is open to the public and park admission will be waived for festivalgoers. The celebration will be held rain or shine except in the case of severe weather. For more information, like and follow “Friends of Downs Park Inc.” on Facebook or visit www.friendsofdownspk.org.