Letter to the Editor, Ann Arbor News,
dated 9/7/2003, by Tom Ivacko
In her September 7th column, Judy McGovern simplistically claims Dicken
Woods is not worth preserving as open space for the sole reason that it
is not pristine woodland. Does McGovern truly believe there is only one
purpose for our parks: to be pristine woodland? Our parks serve many
purposes, as noted in our parks system master plan: "[the parks system]
exists to serve the needs and desires of the residents - by providing a
full spectrum of recreational opportunities, while enhancing the visual
quality of neighborhoods and the City as a whole."
McGovern chose to selectively quote an assessment by one city staff
member to argue that Dicken Woods isn't pristine woodland. She also
chose not to quote the following from the same assessment: "As 'Green
Space' [Dicken Woods] would be an appropriate place for children and
others to explore nature and engage in off-trail activities that are
frowned upon in more sensitive natural areas." One of the many purposes
for our parks is to provide our children with natural areas to explore,
and through which to build a stronger understanding of and appreciation
for nature. Indeed, the city's master plan says, "it is important to
provide children with open and wooded undeveloped areas for creative
play opportunities, but there are limited sites available for this type
of activity in the West Area." The Friends believe Dicken Woods'
location adjacent to Dicken Elementary School makes it even more
compelling for preservation, since it will serve to enhance the
curriculum at Dicken while also serving these other roles.
The Friends did extensive research of Dicken Woods and it's relationship
to the city's and the parks master plans, as well as the Allen's and
Malletts creeksheds and their management plans. As the Friends'
understanding of Dicken Woods' unique role grew, they built their
preservation efforts on logical arguments. In one effort, the Friends
outlined how Dicken Woods fit with seventeen individual site acquisition
criteria in the parks master plan, as well as five of it's overarching
system wide goals. The Friends also received support from highly
respected local environmental and educational organizations. All of
this information convinced parks commissioners of Dicken Woods' worth as
open space. And all of this information is available on the Friends
website (http://dickenwoods.org). The News' readers would have been
better served had McGovern taken time for some research too.
Signed,
Thomas Ivacko, Ann Arbor
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