Two things caught our attention last week: a comment in Sound Off about Festival Park and a brief discussion about Festival Park at a City Council meeting. They gave us pause to think about Festival Park.

Although there is some work yet to be completed at Festival Park, the majority of the project is finished. The public is making much use of the open space and the park’s amenities. That’s as it should be, seeing how Festival Park is meant to provide the public — area residents and visitors alike — access to the Pamlico River.

During the council’s meeting, Joe Taylor, chairman of the city’s Recreation Advisory Committee, distributed photographs of a wedding that took place in Festival Park on Nov. 14 to illustrate the park is in demand.

“Watching the activities out there weekly, the public is enjoying it. … The children are playing in the park. Families are there eating. So, it’s accomplishing, I hope, what y’all wanted it to do, and that’s to be a gathering place for the city to come and enjoy the waterfront and that activities there,” said Taylor, who lives directly across the street from Festival Park. “I want to thank y’all for having the vision to support this project. I think it will mean a lot to the people of Washington.”

Taylor’s point is well taken, but so is the point Councilman Doug Mercer made. Mercer said the Recreation Advisory Committee, under the leadership of Taylor, played a key role in getting the Festival Park project up and running. He said the committee deserves accolades for its support of Festival Park and helping it become a reality.

Festival Park is an investment that will pay off in enhanced leisure, recreational and entertainment opportunities for Washington residents and others for years to come. Whether it be a wedding, attending an outdoor concert or tossing a Frisbee, we urge folks to use Festival Park.