Dear Source:
Over the past twenty or more years, tennis aficionados of St. John have endeavored to maintain the Cruz Bay tennis courts. Over a decade ago, part-time St. John resident Art Allen paid to have the Cruz Bay courts resurfaced, and many others have donated their time and plantings to landscape the area around the courts. Today, however, since the loss of the courts' most loyal advocates, Scotty and Madeline Murry who left St. John several years ago and have since passed away, the Cruz Bay Courts have fallen into a complete state of decay. The area around the courts is abused by vagrants, who lie reposed in drunken or drug induced slumber on the bleachers, and broken bottle shards mar the now cracked and peeling court surfaces. Most of us feel it is just a matter of time before the courts become a parking lot for the overflowing vehicles of the Cruz Bay area.
In the First Lady's quest to revitalize tennis in the Virgin Islands, I sincerely hope that the Cruz Bay tennis courts will be saved and a program developed under the Department of Parks & Recreation to maintain the courts for the benefit of introducing St. John's school age children to the wonderful sport of tennis, as well as to provide all residents of – and visitors to – St. John, with the opportunity of participating in a sport that not only enhances physical fitness but offers the opportunity of social interaction among community members.
Vicki Bell
St. John
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