I was intrigued by the statement in Councilmember Grausz’s June 30 emailed update to citizens, in which he referred to the proposed site of Mercer Island Center for the Arts as “a relatively little used part of Mercerdale Park.” I was curious—I had never explored this part of the park. The next day, when I had errands in our town center, I walked over to that “relatively little used part.”

I discovered wide, well-worn pathways through a lovely wooded section of flat land, easily accessible to  small children and families (including parents with strollers) for exploration, nature study, and cool, shaded picnics. I discovered two benches in the woods, where seniors could rest and visit. I also discovered two lengths of bright red plastic tape tied to foliage and wondered if they marked the extent of the planned construction.

I also discovered some trash as someone had clearly used the area.

I grew up in a 240-acre cooperative community outside Philadelphia. Sixty families lived on two-acre lots in Bryn Gweled Homesteads (Bryn Gweled means “Hill of Vision”). All of the woods, streams and ponds were “common land,” now deeded to a nature conservancy for permanent protection, and the community is still thriving as an “experiment in cooperative living” (www.bryngweled.org).

We kids roamed freely on all the “common land,” learning its secrets, exploring its hills, seeking refuge and solace at times, too, in its hollows. From our frequent reunions, I have learned that for many of us, exploring woods and waterways as children inspired choices we made later in life, leading us to careers in the natural sciences, to passion for outdoor recreation, and to lifelong commitment to protecting parks and open land.

Mercerdale Park is our “common land.” The little gem of wooded pathways and benches nestled between Bicentennial Park and the Skate Park belongs to each one of us, to explore, to enjoy, for discovery, for inspiration, and for solace, too. I hope it will always remain so.

I am reminded of the oft-quoted statement, “We have not inherited the Earth from our parents, we have borrowed it from our children.”

I hope we have the courage and will to preserve every part of our park—however small—from further encroachment. Rather than destroying a “little used” area, let’s encourage families to enjoy it.

Meg Lippert