PETITION
Petition and Testimony in OPPOSITION to any license application for any type of Alcohol (including, but not limited to, full alcohol, beer and wine, or cordials, including seasonal or full year licenses). This petition is not in opposition to properly permitted and policed single day licenses for the sale and consumption of alcohol at single events.
We, the undersigned residents of Salem Massachusetts, and other stakeholders of Salem Willows Park strongly oppose any alcohol license applicationto sell and serve alcohol in Salem Willows Park, or any businesses in the immediate area, including, but not limited to, the buildings encompassing what is known as "The Line" which lie on Fort Avenue north and east of Bay View Avenue.
For any application for any license for the sale of any type of alcohol, this petition is offered as an additional testimony. The Licensing Board should deny any application due to harm to the public good, including the following:
- The character of the geographical area is inconsistent with this type of establishment. The Willows Park and beaches are much-beloved and well-used open space for family-friendly activities.
- Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 138, § 23, the Licensing Board has the authority to approve the grant or transfer of a license “with a view only to serve the public need and in such a manner as to protect the common good.” There is no public need and any establishment of this nature will do public harm.
- Any establishment of this nature will generate additional noise later into the night, exacerbate an already inadequate parking problem, increase traffic (including impaired drivers), increase trash and littering.
- Any proposed bar would be adjacent to residents’ bedrooms, and backyards in some cases, far less than 100 feet away.
- Any proposed bar will impermissibly interfere with residents' right to quiet enjoyment in their homes. Permitted public events at the park, are sporadic, vetted, controlled, subject to an open process, and end by eight or nine at night
- It’s premature to consider any proposal at this location while the City is reviewing the emergency access on Island Avenue. In January 2024, there was extreme flooding where the entire Willows neighborhood was cut off from the rest of the city including essential services. Emergency access being studied abuts197 Fort Avenue.
Updates
April 15, 2025
We just hit 1,000 signatures. Message your city council representative right now and demand they keep our park alcohol free.
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 14, 2025
April 11, 2025
We are approaching the one thousand signature mark and need a final surge to force the board to take us seriously. Post the link to your Facebook feed right now and send a direct text to three neighbors asking them to sign today.
Reached 100 supporters
September 17, 2024
September 16, 2024
We are approaching one hundred signatures but we need a final surge to hit that mark before we present this to the board. Text three neighbors right now and tell them why the Willows must remain alcohol free. Post our petition link to your Facebook page immediately so we can show the city how many people oppose these licenses.
387 Comments
Please keep this family park as such without mind altering substances ie: alcohol in this application. There are neighbors’ houses and bedrooms literally 60 feet away. Between the noise and second hand smoke this is a threat to health.
I’ve been going to The Willows since 1965. I drive from Haverhill often to grab a box of popcorn, put a blanket or chair on the grass& watch the boats & people. Families mostly. Adding alcohol is going to ruin this family atmosphere, bring a whole different vibe.
As fun as this would be for responsible adults, this could be dangerous. There's all kinds of mischief someone who's had a few too many can get up to that could harm themselves or others, especially near kids and water. Also, imagine how much more litter this could generate.
The Willows has existed quite happily now for many, many, years without alcohol. It's family friendly and generally visited by people driving. It's a big plus to have a small "sanctuary" in Salem where people do not have to deal with the influences of alcohol.
Adding another area of alcohol establishments will be a strain on our already stretched police and fire safety services. The taxes and license fees will not be enough to cover the expense to public safety. There are plenty of other areas providing adult beverage access.
Keep the Willows alcohol free
The willows is a family friendly old school area I went as a child and now bring my grandchildren please no bars , keep bars downtown for adults
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PETITION
Petition and Testimony in OPPOSITION to any license application for any type of Alcohol (including, but not limited to, full alcohol, beer and wine, or cordials, including seasonal or full year licenses). This petition is not in opposition to properly permitted and policed single day licenses for the sale and consumption of alcohol at single events.
We, the undersigned residents of Salem Massachusetts, and other stakeholders of Salem Willows Park strongly oppose any alcohol license applicationto sell and serve alcohol in Salem Willows Park, or any businesses in the immediate area, including, but not limited to, the buildings encompassing what is known as "The Line" which lie on Fort Avenue north and east of Bay View Avenue.
For any application for any license for the sale of any type of alcohol, this petition is offered as an additional testimony. The Licensing Board should deny any application due to harm to the public good, including the following:
- The character of the geographical area is inconsistent with this type of establishment. The Willows Park and beaches are much-beloved and well-used open space for family-friendly activities.
- Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 138, § 23, the Licensing Board has the authority to approve the grant or transfer of a license “with a view only to serve the public need and in such a manner as to protect the common good.” There is no public need and any establishment of this nature will do public harm.
- Any establishment of this nature will generate additional noise later into the night, exacerbate an already inadequate parking problem, increase traffic (including impaired drivers), increase trash and littering.
- Any proposed bar would be adjacent to residents’ bedrooms, and backyards in some cases, far less than 100 feet away.
- Any proposed bar will impermissibly interfere with residents' right to quiet enjoyment in their homes. Permitted public events at the park, are sporadic, vetted, controlled, subject to an open process, and end by eight or nine at night
- It’s premature to consider any proposal at this location while the City is reviewing the emergency access on Island Avenue. In January 2024, there was extreme flooding where the entire Willows neighborhood was cut off from the rest of the city including essential services. Emergency access being studied abuts197 Fort Avenue.
Updates
April 15, 2025
We just hit 1,000 signatures. Message your city council representative right now and demand they keep our park alcohol free.
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 14, 2025
April 11, 2025
We are approaching the one thousand signature mark and need a final surge to force the board to take us seriously. Post the link to your Facebook feed right now and send a direct text to three neighbors asking them to sign today.
Reached 100 supporters
September 17, 2024
September 16, 2024
We are approaching one hundred signatures but we need a final surge to hit that mark before we present this to the board. Text three neighbors right now and tell them why the Willows must remain alcohol free. Post our petition link to your Facebook page immediately so we can show the city how many people oppose these licenses.
387 Comments
I grew up in Salem and loved the Willows as a family gathering spot. Have a bar with full liquor license will do irreparable damage to the family feel of our Salem Willows- not to mention the noise and nuisance factor that the neighboring homes will have to deal with.
Please keep this family park as such without mind altering substances ie: alcohol in this application. There are neighbors’ houses and bedrooms literally 60 feet away. Between the noise and second hand smoke this is a threat to health.
I’ve been going to The Willows since 1965. I drive from Haverhill often to grab a box of popcorn, put a blanket or chair on the grass& watch the boats & people. Families mostly. Adding alcohol is going to ruin this family atmosphere, bring a whole different vibe.
As fun as this would be for responsible adults, this could be dangerous. There's all kinds of mischief someone who's had a few too many can get up to that could harm themselves or others, especially near kids and water. Also, imagine how much more litter this could generate.
The Willows has existed quite happily now for many, many, years without alcohol. It's family friendly and generally visited by people driving. It's a big plus to have a small "sanctuary" in Salem where people do not have to deal with the influences of alcohol.
Adding another area of alcohol establishments will be a strain on our already stretched police and fire safety services. The taxes and license fees will not be enough to cover the expense to public safety. There are plenty of other areas providing adult beverage access.
Keep the Willows alcohol free
The willows is a family friendly old school area I went as a child and now bring my grandchildren please no bars , keep bars downtown for adults
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I grew up in Salem and loved the Willows as a family gathering spot. Have a bar with full liquor license will do irreparable damage to the family feel of our Salem Willows- not to mention the noise and nuisance factor that the neighboring homes will have to deal with.