City Council Vice President Thomas J. Sullivan took on the role of head cheerleader at Tuesday night’s board meeting.
“I wanted to share the good news that the City of Haverhill is alive and well.”
Sullivan’s cheer comes courtesy of the online travel planning site, Expedia, which ranked Haverhill as the 17th most enchanting winter destination in the U.S.
“It speaks volumes about the hard work of a lot of volunteers, organizations, committees and city workers,” Sullivan said. “It’s a collective effort with great results.”
Winnekenni Castle, a location close to Sullivan’s heart, featured prominently in the Expedia ranking.
“It is, quite frankly, an idyllic site that not many other communities have,” Sullivan said.
Other attractions include John Greenleaf Whittier’s birthplace, Ski Bradford, and the downtown restaurant district.
Sullivan said other recreation areas, including Riverside Park, Swasey’s Field and the Portland Street Playground add to the city’s quality of life.
“This is a tribute to organizations and committees that try to make Haverhill a better place to live,” Sullivan said.
Councilor Melinda E. Barrett said Sullivan deserves a lot of the credit for the popularity of Winnekenni Castle and its attached park and trails. As vice president of the Winnekenni Park Foundation, Sullivan is intimately involved with the preservation, maintenance and revitalization of the castle and its surroundings.
For example, Sullivan said, the castle exterior needs repointing, which will be covered by the trust fund left for the property’s upkeep.