[English version below]

Hoogacht kolleezje fan burgemeester en wethouwers,

Ut naam fan foljêre fereniging de Edelsanger skriif ik jou. Ut Sjaerdemapark an de Harlingerweg is kòrtleden met Pinksteren opengaan. Un park dat der kommen is met eigen mankracht en met ôns eigen geld. Ut is nòg maar 28 jaar leden dat der na un felle diskussy úteinluk deur de gemeente koazen is foar sportfelden an de Hertog fan Saksenlaan in plak fan ôns su geliefde stadspark.

Nou dy ellenduge Tweede Weareldoarlog foarby is, wille wij ok in Franeker foarút kieke. Heel Franeker staat achter de plannen foar un mooi stadspark. Selfs de persoaneelsfereniging fan gemeentewerken skonk foarug jaar un prachtug swanehús foar in de fiver.

Ok de ouwe toegangspoart fan de Hortus Botanicus fan de ouwe Akademy wurde ferplaatst fan ut kerkhòf naar de hoofdingang fan ut park. Tòch fiene wij dat ut park maar akelug leeg is sonder un foljêre. Suks kin in ut stadspark nou krekt su’n mooi rust en ontmoetingsplekje weze. Der is al geld ophaald deur un aksy onder de Franekers. En we hewwe ok al un ontwerptekening.

Kinne jim instemme met un foljêre?

Hoogachtend, G. Nieuwenhús

Bird lover G. Nieuwenhuis (1956) – A meeting place in the Sjaerdemapark.

Most revered college of mayor and eldermen,

I am writing you this in name of the aviary society ‘The Edelzanger’. Last Whitsunday, the Sjaerdemapark at the Harlingerweg has been opened. A park that came into being by manpower and private money. It’s only 28 years ago that – after a heated discussion – the town council gave preference to sports grounds at the Hertog van Saxenlaan, over the so profoundly desired city park.
Now that the unpleasant Second World War is behind us, we want to look ahead in Franeker. By now the Franeker inhabitants have closed the city park into their hearts. And for the pond the employee association of the municipal works has donated a very handsome swan dwelling.

Also, the old entrance gate of the Hortus Botanicus of the former Academy has been relocated from the cemetery to the main entrance of the park.
Nevertheless, we think that the park would appear unpleasantly empty without an aviary. A resting place and meeting area in the city park. With a fundraiser the citizenry has collected money. And a draft for the layout has been prepared. Could you assent to an aviary?

Sincerely, G. Nieuwenhuis