By Liz King
AMESBURY — Residents passing by Alliance Park may now notice a new sign marking the scenic, historic spot located at the mouths of the Merrimack and Powow rivers, thanks to the efforts of their neighbors.
On Friday, the Amesbury Improvement Association (AIA) held a sign dedication at the park, which is located at Point Shore.
"We've been working to get something decent for the historic park," said Ron Gagnon, president of the AIA. "It's been a long time coming; we've been working on it for 2 to 3 years."
Harriet Gould, who has been on the AIA board for "years and years," said the proposal for a new sign came up in a meeting.
She spearheaded the effort to make it happen.
"People know of the park, but not why it was named," Gould said. "So I went to the library and looked up Amesbury's history. I found a picture of the ship and presented it to the committee."
The park is situated on the site where the Alliance, one of the first frigates in the Continental Navy, was built in 1778. The ship was named for the alliance between France and the American colonies.
"It's a memorial park in all senses of the word," Gagnon said.
The .97 acre park is owned and maintained by the AIA, which was founded in 1886 to maintain historic sites and town beautification.
"AIA maintains everything that needs to be maintained, including several parks," Gagnon said.
The group's most recent project was a dedication of a memorial on North Hunt road to Susanna Martin, a "good Christian woman" who was hanged during the Salem Witch Trials.
"AIA is a mainstay; it's been part of the community for over 100 years. They maintain the heritage, and keep future generations involved," Mayor Thatcher Kezer said. "It's important to everyone in the community to know where they came from."
For Gould, that was her main drive. "I love the town," she said. "I grew up on Woodsom Farm and drove tractors." Gould's love of the town explains her involvement with several town committees, including the Whittier Home, the Macy Colby House, the Chamber of Commerce and the AIA.
"I knew all the people before me that were involved with all these committees, and someone needed to take over when they were done," Gould said. "My father always said, 'If you want something done, do it yourself.'"
The new sign is emblazoned with the ship and was created by Victor DeLuna.
"It's an honor to be witness to this gracious gift donated by one of the most significant members of the community," Kezer said.
