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Just as Nature Intended

Chaffinch Island Park turns 50 this year! For 50 years Chaffinch Island Park has been a precious open space without a single building or built structure being constructed on it. Not one single administration, board, committee, etc. has built on this open space park. In fact, numerous studies conducted by the town have stressed the importance of preserving this open space exactly as it is, undisturbed. A 2011 survey conducted in Guilford found that preserving our natural resources is the number-one priority of townsfolk.

The park was actually purchased with the help of state and local funds to permanently preserve it as open space. Unfortunately, the Parks & Recreation Department now wishes to construct a structure on Chaffinch Island, in violation of its open space designation.

It is becoming more and more difficult to experience nature without seeing the hand of man upon the land. Many of us visit the park to recharge and rejuvenate ourselves by experiencing the hand of nature instead of the hand of man.

The town has many other parks where we can experience the hand of man. This park, fronting on both Long Island Sound and the West River and containing upland forest, marshy views, peace, and tranquility, is unique on the Connecticut shoreline.

If your readers treasure this park and its scenic natural beauty and believe it is perfect just as nature intended, I encourage them to attend the Planning & Zoning Commission hearing Wednesday, April 3 and express their opinion about preserving this park as it is for this and future generations.

Neil Murdock

Guilford