With less than two weeks til "opening day," the Highland Park Farmers Market, usually held in the Zoo parking lot, is in jeopardy. Why? The City has a "grandfathered" agreement with the Zoo that they can use the lot on Thursdays from 3-8 through the summer. Last year, with plans to renovate that whole "Heth's Run" corridor, everyone agreed it was time to move the market. But though the city did try, they didn't really find a suitable place. They planned to relocate to a section of Reservoir Drive near the Sycamore grove, but it was less than ideal. Besides traffic, parking and logistical concerns for farmers with trucks, there was no effort (or money, I guess) to promote the move; without the high visibility the current site offers, the market would likely stand to lose a significant portion of its client base. The City then decided to exercise its right to stay in the current lot, but the Zoo (who has a new exhibit coming in, Polar Bears) may be digging in their heels. Nothing has been made public yet; the City's last info to the press said the market is where it always is. The Farmers Market Friends don't want to slam either the city or the zoo, but we do want the public to be aware of what's going on and to weigh in on it. Zoos and farmers markets are both about conservation of natural resources and should be able to come to a mutually agreeable arrangement until, with more advocacy from the Friends and more motivation on the city's part, a permanent solution can be found. This is an issue of community, of economic development (Highland Park is the highest grossing farmers market in the city, representing between $1.5 and $2 million in gross proceeds over the course of the season), of farmland preservation and family farm preservation...this market touches many lives, drawing shoppers to the east end and giving Highland Parkers an opportunity to not only eat fresh, locally grown produce but meet the growers and build community. Farmers can only wait so long for markets to be profitable, and as one of the farmers from the HP market says, "I can't afford to take a cruise for the summer of 2006 until they get this sorted out." That farmer, if he can't make it at Highland Park, will seek another venue and may be lost to the market for good. If you are concerned and would like to take action, lend your voice to our group by attending a meeting at the Sycamore Grove on Reservoir Drive at 7 PM Tuesday, May 2. The Farmers Market Friends advocates for keeping the market where it is one more year, and we are building a network of supporters to help us minimize the issues that arise during market hours. We are a creative group and will spend our meeting time putting together concrete action plans to both raise awareness and keep the market viable while minimizing its impact on the zoo. If you can't make the meeting, consider contacting Leonard Bodack's office, talking with your neighbors and/or writing a letter to editor to ask what is going on with the Highland Park market. We'd prefer coordinated efforts through the Friends, but encourage each of you to do what you can to help avert potential disaster. Best regards, Michelle Belan michelle@belancreative.com