A Park Where the Living World

[Verse 1] I walked the old quarry with a roll of blue plans, Where the hawthorn leaned over the chain-link fence. Mara from the library brought a list in her hand: A place for the little ones, a path for their friends. We marked where the slope let the spring water pass, Left room for the milkweed and the monarchs to land. I could see a slow sunday taking shape in the grass, Though the ground was still rough and the work just began. [Pre-Chorus] So i drew a wide curve where the footpath could meet, And a long, open lawn where the neighbors might gather. A good place makes room for the things we don’t plan— The small, happy meetings that matter. [Chorus] Under the sun, let the whole town come through, Bring your kite, bring your questions, bring somebody new. Where the shade meets the meadow and the creek runs clear, There’s a little more room for each other here. Under the sun, with the wide sky above, We can make a place out of paths and good ground— A park where the living world gathers around. [Verse 2] We set the young maples in a staggered line, Kept the low bank open for herons to feed. The crew laid stone where the wheelchairs could turn, And a gentle ramp climbed through the goldenrod seed. Then the first warm saturday, the ball field filled up, A boy chased his shadow past the new footbridge. Two neighbors compared the tomatoes they’d grown, While a dog found the cool edge beneath the ridge. [Pre-Chorus] I stood by the sign as the afternoon leaned, And watched all my pencil marks loosen and breathe. The plan was a promise; the people made it real— A thing you can enter, not just believe. [Chorus] Under the sun, let the whole town come through, Bring your kite, bring your questions, bring somebody new. Where the shade meets the meadow and the creek runs clear, There’s a little more room for each other here. Under the sun, with the wide sky above, We can make a place out of paths and good ground— A park where the living world gathers around. [Bridge] Years from now those maples will hold up the sky, Their roots finding water beneath all our feet. I’ll pass through at dusk and hear names traded freely, As the grass takes the day and the crickets keep beat. No plaque can contain what a shared place can do; It’s the welcome that lasts, and the welcome is you. [Final chorus] Under the sun, let the whole town come through, Bring your kite, bring your questions, bring somebody new. Where the shade meets the meadow and the creek runs clear, There’s a little more room for each other here. Under the sun, with the wide sky above, We made this place out of paths and good ground— A park where the living world gathers around. [Outro] Where the creek runs clear, where the maples grow, There’s room for a friend you have yet to know. Under the sun, under the wide sky, We leave a little space for life to arrive.