Bringing Back the Harrisville We Fell in Love With
Bringing Back the Harrisville We Fell in Love With
When my wife and I first came to look at our home in Harrisville, we weren’t just looking for square footage or a good deal—we were looking for a place to raise our family.
I’ll never forget driving into the neighborhood for the first time. Kids were out playing baseball in the street. Neighbors were chatting across front lawns. The air felt light, friendly—alive. I looked at my wife and said, “Unless there’s something terribly wrong with the house, this is where we’re supposed to raise our family.”
There was a spirit in Harrisville back then—a real sense of connection. People didn’t just live here—they belonged here. That feeling is what made us fall in love with this city.
A Shift in the Community Feeling
Over the years, I’ve felt that spirit fade—not disappear entirely, but drift just far enough to be missed.
We used to gather in the summer for a city celebration that brought everyone together. It was the kind of event that made you feel proud to call Harrisville home—fun, inclusive, and truly local. Today, our city hosts a fall celebration that’s technically in Harrisville, but whose activities are hosted by an elementary school from a neighboring city. While the fireworks are fun, the event takes place on a weeknight in the fall and unintentionally leaves many residents, myself included, feeling left out—especially those whose children attend different schools.
Yes, there are still attempts to bring people together, like movies in the park during the summer. But they lack the energy and heart that once defined our community celebrations. They’re not bad—they just feel like we’re going through the motions without the connection.
And that’s the real issue—we’re losing our sense of community.
What Makes a Community Strong?
A true community isn’t built just with roads, buildings, or city services—it’s built with relationships, shared memories, and meaningful traditions. It’s knowing your neighbors. It’s feeling like your voice matters. It’s having something to look forward to together.
I don’t believe this is gone forever—not even close. But I do believe we need to be more intentional about bringing it back.
A Vision for Reconnection
What if we brought back a full Harrisville summer celebration—something truly community-led and family-friendly? What if we formed a volunteer committee of residents to shape events that reflect the entire city, not just one part of it? What if we created new traditions: neighborhood picnics, summer concerts, talent shows, local food truck nights, or even a “Harrisville Helps” community service day?
We don’t need fancy. We need togetherness.
This is the kind of city I believe Harrisville can be again—a place where we stop and talk in the street, where our kids play together, and where we all feel like we belong.
Let’s Talk About It—Together
If you’ve ever felt that something special is missing… you’re not alone.
As someone running for Harrisville City Council, I believe that restoring our sense of community should be one of our highest priorities. Because no matter what infrastructure we build or policies we pass, what really makes Harrisville strong is us—our people, our stories, and the pride we share in our city.
If you feel the same, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s talk about ideas. Let’s talk about what you miss—and what you hope to see. Let’s rebuild something great—together.
