Sea Holly Motel before undevelopment Sea Holly Motel during undevelopment Sea Holly Park after undevelopment

The Sea Holly Motel languished for years on a prime 0.33-acre site between Route 28 and the Parker River.In fact, the town building inspector was forced to close the structure in 1989. Yarmouth Conservation Trust (YCT) saw an opportunity to create a public park with water views.

YCT partnered with the Route 28 Task Force, a local business group, and the Town of Yarmouth to negotiate the eventual donation of riverfront real estate to the town. Next came the painstaking work of restoring the site and creating public access.

Before undevelopment could begin, YCT and volunteers like engineer Joe Rodricks secured more than a dozen permits. Demolition began in December 1990 thanks to $10,000 contributed by donors and businesses, including $5,000 from the Lobster Boat Restaurant across the street. Counting the value of donated work, that figure can be more than doubled. Benches were" purchased" and dedicated according to donor wishes. A water view was restored for all to enjoy.

At the public dedication of Sea Holly Park, "there was a very diverse group of people attending. Some were pleased to see the old motel gone. Some were pleased because now there was a view of the river that wasn't there before. But some had tears in their eyes because they saw the Trust and the Town recognized their family's place in the community," remembered John Sears.