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Dear Editor,
Reading about the possible purchase of the UConn property by West Hartford it seems like it can turn out good … or bad in terms of open space protection.
West Hartford is considered a model town throughout Connecticut, and over the years it has seen steady development growth that has been good for the town’s finances and residential needs.
Generally speaking, the growth has been smart, filling out other developments in the town center, and Elmwood and Park Street. But of late there have been more debatable projects, such as the expansion of apartments on Steele Road. When I look at UConn, it strikes me as a watershed decision for what direction the town will take next with land development and conservation.
UConn’s campus is the last large open space property within the main corridor of the town. Once green space like this is gone, it’s usually gone for good. It does not come back – parking lots, Walgreens, or apartment developments – usually don’t revert back to green space. Do we need these utility spaces? Of course, but if you don’t think about placement of development and what you may be losing, then it’s often easy and sometimes cheaper to choose development over green space protection.
West Hartford citizens will need to speak up now if they want to preserve this land before development becomes the preferred option. Green spaces – parks, woods, landscapes – these provide the character to towns which in turn preserves the values of our homes. Don’t lose it.
Stewart Hudson
Advisor to Project Green Space
Executive Director of Audubon Connecticut
