Don Biddle Community Park Opened with Original Poem by Dublin’s Poet Laureate

September 25, 2022

DUBLIN, CA–Dublin welcomed a new, 31-acre centrally-located park yesterday with a grand opening celebration that featured speakers, a ribbon-cutting, art unveilings, and an original poem read by James Morehead (Poet Laureate – Dublin, CA). The Don Biddle Community Park is named after former long-time Dublin public servant Don Biddle, who served the City in many capacities during his decades in Dublin. Biddle passed away in 2018 and was represented by his daughter Patricia Biddle.

There was also live music provided by Salvage Tide, inflatables, a rock wall, train tours of the park, trolley tours of the Boulevard neighborhood, face painting, yard games, and a barbecue lunch provided by the Dublin Little League and Dublin United Soccer League.

A Saturday Painted in Dublin Green
For the grand opening of Don Biddle Community Park, Dublin, California (Sept. 24, 2022)

At dawn, shadows scatter,
chased by California sun over Altamont Pass
waking trees and trails and a green ribbon waiting. 

There are speeches and thank-yous
while children tug their parents' hands.
With a snip and flourish the ribbon falls. 

Squealing siblings race to slides,
a jogger with earbuds bouncing
passes two lovers strolling hand in hand. 

Rackets are strung tight for serve and volley,
basketball gripped for three on three,
a group of friends meet for morning Tai Chi.

More arrive in numbered jerseys,
with a catcher’s mitt or cricket bat,
soccer cleats or t-ball stand.

Families in lawn chairs sink into grass
cheering their favorite team
while a pair of corgis wrestle nearby. 

This canvas dipped in Dublin green 
is ready to be painted with fresh memories
of laughter, of play, of community.

Then shadows creep, opening day retreats
beyond the San Francisco Bay.
Silence settles, all retire, resting until tomorrow.

copyright 2022 James Morehead