What's Happening and Why Does It Matter?
The Salem Willows Neighborhood Association (WNA) is taking a stand to protect the character of Salem Willows Park by opposing an application for a seasonal full alcohol and entertainment license at 197 Fort Avenue. The proposed establishment, which seeks to obtain a license to operate seven days a week until midnight with live amplified music, poses a serious threat to the community’s quality of life and the cherished nature of the historic park.
As the lynchpin of the Willows Historic District, Salem Willows Park has long been a cornerstone of community life on the North Shore. With its beaches, open spaces, and recreational offerings, the park serves as a vital gathering place for families and visitors alike. As noted by Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Driscoll during a recent ribbon-cutting for the park's rebuilt pier, the improvements at Salem Willows are aimed at “enhancing outdoor recreation and the quality of life for all North Shore residents.” Introducing a bar into this environment is diametrically opposed to these objectives.
At a recent meeting of the WNA, the license applicant admitted his “target customers” are parents who bring their children and give them $5 to buy game tokens while the parents “tie one on.” Visitors to the Salem Willows Park shouldn’t be “tying one on” and driving out through the park where families are celebrating birthdays, graduations, or just having fun taking in everything the park has to offer. The park is also a daily gathering space for school and church groups, senior centers, children's art classes and persons with disabilities.
Grounds for Opposition
We are urging the City Licensing Board to deny the application, citing the following concerns:
- Incompatibility with the Area’s Character: The proposed establishment conflicts with the park’s historical and cultural significance as a family-oriented destination. The Willows has thrived as a community hub due to its commitment to offering wholesome, alcohol-free activities—a tradition highlighted by a City-sponsored historic marker within the park. The marker emphasizes the early ban on alcohol sales as a key factor in the park’s success and in preventing disturbances seen in other seaside resorts by keeping out the “rough element.”
- Lack of Public Need: According to Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. c. 138, § 23), the Licensing Board is tasked with granting licenses that serve the public need and protect the common good. Salem already has 86 establishments serving alcohol—more than 11 per square mile, and one for every 500 residents. With Salem ranking 4th in liquor licenses per capita among Massachusetts cities of similar size, there is no demonstrated public need for another venue of this nature.
- Negative Impacts on Residents and Public Spaces: The proposed establishment would introduce significant disturbances to the area, including late-night noise, increased traffic, parking challenges, litter, and potential vandalism. The bar’s proximity—less than 100 feet from some residents’ homes—would infringe on their right to quiet enjoyment. Unlike one-day permitted events, which are controlled and sporadic, a full-time bar would create ongoing disruptions.
- Public Safety Concerns: Late-night operations combined with alcohol sales raise the risk of impaired driving, trespassing into the park after hours, and other safety issues. The WNA points to an incident on March 2nd, 2025 where a woman fell off the pier at the Willows Park after a night of drinking, according to Salem Police, as clear example of these safety concerns. These outcomes are inconsistent with the goal of preserving Salem Willows as a safe, family-friendly environment.
- Historical Precedent: The placing of the park’s historic marker by the City underscores the detrimental impact of alcohol sales in the area’s past and highlights the success of maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere. Introducing alcohol to this environment would be a step backward, jeopardizing the park’s legacy.
A Call to Protect Salem Willows
The Salem Willows Neighborhood Association calls on the Licensing Board to act within the law and in the best interest of the community by denying this application. The park’s historical significance, its role as a recreational sanctuary, and its importance to residents’ quality of life must be preserved.
For more information or to join the effort to protect Salem Willows, please contact the WNA at contactswna@gmail.com.
