To the editor:

On Thursday, Sept. 7, the continuation for the special-use permit application of AP Enterprise, LLC. to operate 13 beach volleyball courts with sand on four acres of this beautiful 13-acre site will be heard by the Zoning Board of Review.

I have read two letters from Portsmouth Concerned Citizens (PCC), which are motivated by the relationship of the one abutter and the PCC chairman.

It is beach volleyball, on a cleaned-up, town-operated, privately owned, former dump. I walked the property two weeks ago while the R.I. Department of Environmental Management was inspecting this awesome site, now about 12 feet above Park Avenue. What a view of the Sakonnet!

Art Palmer, the principal, has beach volleyball experience — lots of it! What he has presented in his plan are 13 beach volleyball courts, and gravel parking for 100 vehicles, on his land — not on Park Avenue! I played volleyball for years. It is an great game for everyone with the health and height to play. Beach volleyball played on sand is even better! 

I respectfully request support of any and all who realize this is good for Island Park, and a benefit for Portsmouth. A beach volleyball site will not create trash, there are no amplifiers, no parking on Park Avenue, no permanent structures. The site is expecting to open spring of 2024 and operate during daylight savings schedule. Think of the kids in Portsmouth having an opportunity to learn to play beach volleyball instead of on their computers, or scanning the web! 

I support this exciting addition for beach volleyball to our Island Park neighborhood. The meeting’s at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, at Town Hall. Thank you.

John Vitkevich 

119 Hummock Ave. 

Portsmouth