‘Don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’

Let’s not pave paradise for a parking lot.
Last night, I watched on local public access the Aug. 20th Monroe Town Board Meeting. The discussion centered on a piece of property bought by the town several years ago. It is located on Berry Road and referred to as the Faber Farm.
This property is currently used as a passive park. The discussion focused on other uses of the property - building an art center and tearing down the stone barn that sits on the land.
I watched my neighbors on Berry, Ludlam, Margaret and Gatehouse Roads passionately speak on these issues. Different words were spoken, different levels of emotions were expressed, but the same concern was reiterated - preserve the natural beauty of Berry Road.
Here are my thoughts and opinions on this subject.
Many years ago, Monroe made decisions that led to the ruination of one of the prettiest rural areas located on the border of Woodbury and Monroe. As a result, this area is now a hodgepodge of buildings with fire escapes, roads, sidewalks, concrete wall barriers and traffic lights.
I am not saying in any way this is the board’s vision for Berry Road and the Faber Farm.
But what I am saying is that we should be very cognizant of the fact that natural beauty in Monroe is getting very scarce.
While I listened to one of the board member’s mention the underuse of the property, it made me wonder.
How do you measure the majestic beauty of wildlife, the serenity of the woods at dawn and dusk, the great quiet and peacefulness you experience when you enter this land at the crossroads of Berry and Ludlam?
How do you put a price tag on this?
You don’t! You can’t!
I feel the passive park is a great idea. I would encourage more children to experience the wonders of the woods that my children experienced growing up in this area. The gentleman at the meeting who suggested grooming the trails to make it more appealing for hikers and walkers, is right on track.
Make it attractive and keep it natural and they will come, hopefully not in buses.
And the stone barn, are you kidding? How is this even a discussion. Leave it alone! Refurbish it! Don’t tear it down! Preserve as much of the natural beauty of our town as possible.
I would encourage the town people to take a ride to Berry Road and see firsthand.
If you feel the same way as the residents, contact the Monroe Town Board and tell them.
Town of Monroe: Don’t pave paradise to put up a parking lot!

Carol Scully
Monroe