We can launch a telescope a million miles beyond Earth’s orbit, and receive images from 13.6 billion light years away.
We ought to be able to figure out how to build a school without uprooting a town treasure.
Granted, Westport is not NASA. But we’ve got more than our share of smart minds in town.
James Webb space telescope.
If some human beings can overcome problems like how to unfurl mirrors in space, protect them from the sun’s light and heat, and send commands across unfathomable distances of darkness, others ought to be able to solve the dilemma of where to put a building, baseball diamond or some construction equipment.
This isn’t rocket science.
As Westport confronts the shouldn’t-be-daunting issue of how to keep a 20-year-old garden and preserve that, thanks to stupendous volunteer effort and sweat equity, has increased biodiversity, boosted Westport on its path toward Net Zero, and raised produce for hungry Fairfield County neighbors — and at the same time brought joy, comfort and a sense of community to hundreds of Westporters, from tots to 90s — we need to tap the talents, creativity and energy of all our residents.
Our town is filled with architects, engineers, contractors, environmentalists, sports management professionals, educators, financiers, non-profit executives and more.
Every day, they face challenges. Every day, they devise solutions.
Let’s put our differences aside. Let’s put our heads together. Let’s grow — as the 100-plus Community Gardeners, and thousands of friends urge — the garden and the school together.
Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve. (Drone photo/Franco Fellah)
Here are a few things to think about:
How big a footprint does the new school actually need? Can it be vertical, rather than horizontal? To those who say an elementary school should be one story, well … Kings Highway. Saugatuck. Greens Farms. The old Bedford (now Town Hall).
Do we really need to include Stepping Stones preschool (currently located at Coleytown Elementary)? Why is that a given? Is there somewhere else it can go, lessening the size?
If a Babe Ruth baseball diamond is crucial, where else could it go? How about on the roof of the new school? Union City, New Jersey has one. Other types of athletic fields have been built on rooftops too, including Brown University.
Here’s more outside-the-box (that box being the Community Gardens) thinking:
Baseball could partner with (or rent from) Greens Farms Academy. It’s diamond is unused on weekends. Could Babe Ruth play ball there?
Greens Farms Academy baseball diamond.
The town owns land just west of The Saugatuck co-op housing, on Bridge Street. For decades, it was a playing field for what was then Saugatuck Elementary School.
There is also plenty of land at the 40-acre Fairfield County Hunt Club. Would they want to sell or rent part of it? We won’t know until we ask.
Then there’s this: The Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve comprise nearly 4 acres. A typical baseball field is 4.5 acres.
Instead of relocating what’s already there to another, as-yet-undetermined site, find that location now — and put the baseball diamond there instead.
One plan shows a baseball field on the current site (left) of the Community Gardens …
Good people can certainly differ. But in the 10 weeks since “06880” first broke the news that the Community Gardens and Preserve may be “supplanted” by the Long Lots project, hundreds of Westporters have spoken in favor of retaining them.
They span the political spectrum. They are all ages. Some have been here for decades; others just moved in. Some are gardeners; many are not. Some are parents of Long Lots children.
In all the comments on this blog, on Westport Journal, and in public meetings, I can’t recall one person (other than members of the Long Lots School Building Committee) who has said: “We should replace the Gardens and Preserve with a baseball field, or the school itself.”
If you want that, please make your voice heard.
If you don’t, please put on your thinking cap.
We’re not asking you to design the James Webb Telescope.
All we need is a way for a garden and school to share space.
Comm
… while another shows a new school there.
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There are many smart people. High academia and the greatest scholars may help society. You cannot teach common sense. The world is in a heap of trouble. Sone use academia for evil. Our town lacks leadership. Corporations have taken over The ineeds of our community have been ignored.
Bravo, Dan Woog. Bravo.
Well written, Dan !
Thank you Dan, the voice of reason.
As cited in the book Paved Paradise- do we really need all that land for parking, or do our P&Z rules need updating? Read the book.
Love the alternative suggestions, Dan. In addition to all the reasons previously stated about the gem we have at the Community Garden, there’s the obvious, amazing educational opportunity for the school and the garden to coexist. Sustainability and biodiversity units of study with students could coexist in an authentic situation rather than reading about them in textbooks. Creative and timely lessons in science and art and math are just the tip of the authentic learning experiences we can give our students…..right in their own backyard.
I agree completely. Westport has more than enough creativity and goodwill and expertise to solve this issue, together. The gardens are a town jewel to be treasured. Collectively, we need to do the right thing!
Take it off the table!
I agree with Richard. Where is the strategic leadership in this town? It seems Dan is the one doing the job for the Board of Selectwomen. If they are active behind the scenes, it would help to know what they are actually doing to facilitate smart leadership and conflict resolution. For example, where were they when there was an outcry and a stand-off at the library? why did it take Dan to rise to the occasion to bring a solution to The River of Names? Even Marpe stood up and found a creative solution to The Westport Inn. Our town leadership lack the requisite leadership skills, and most importantly courage. If they are indeed doing something, let it be known.
Your idea of moving the baseball diamond to wherever the gardens would be relocated is spot on! Thanks Dan.
Town executives need to clearly state: the Community Gardens and Preserve will remain where they are and will not be destroyed. This is a town asset that will remain for the benefit of all Westport residents.
I agree that there is enough brainpower and talent to find a solution to preserve the gardens and the envisioned new Long Lots, but I resent the implication that Stepping Stones Preschool can be removed from the plan–and the suggestion that we weigh the needs of preschoolers against pollinators. It undercuts your argument that we can all have what we want. Stepping Stones has been looking for a home for years. In its cramped quarters at Coleytown Elementary, it has ably served our preschoolers receiving special education services, but it has not been able to meet its goal of a 50/50 split between special education and typical students, compromising its vision to benefit both populations and mainstream the special education students. These students and families deserve the room to grow and fulfill their full vision of education, care and community–and they deserve better than the tiny space with which they have made do.
Nobody is against Stepping Stones. And, to be clear, the people who want to destroy the Community Garden would probably love for this to become a clash between the Parents and the Gardeners – something that it has not been to this point.
The many, many people who support preserving the Gardens and Preserve simply want that parcel of land – which was bought for municipal and not educational purposes – to be off the table in any planning for a new Long Lots. The BOE has NEVER managed that property and is kind of treating this like a land grab. When was the public dialogue about gifting that parcel to the BOE, when twenty years ago, all of our Town bodies pretty clearly made the choice to locate the Community Gardens there?
Current plans show things like baseball fields where the Community Garden is placed. That’s not Stepping Stones.
In a Town full of property and acreage dedicated to educational facilities, the first choice should not be to ruin a Town jewel.
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!
The possibility of moving Stepping Stones elsewhere is clearly raised in the piece above. “Do we really need to include Stepping Stones preschool (currently located at Coleytown Elementary)? Why is that a given? Is there somewhere else it can go, lessening the size?” Glad to hear that you are not against the school, but we are asking for support for a new Stepping Stones that can accommodate a full population of children with special needs and an equal number of typical students, as required by the state.
A number of really great suggestions, all of which make more sense—and show more imagination—than relocating the gardens/preserve.
Thank you Dan for continuing to speak and report on this important issue. For a town that prides itself on being environmentally friendly this approach does not make sense. Why can’t the baseball field go where the old school is today? For a committee that talks about costs a lot that sounds cheaper than “relocating” two items. TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!
So we’ll said Dan, all doable and great suggestions. Your theme of your article is right on. “We’re not asking you to design the James Webb Telescope.
All we need is a way for a garden and school to share space.”
Where is the innovative and creative thinking? And Lou, thank you for presenting what others are doing in terms of coexisting with nature.
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE
Stepping Stones is a pre-school for children with special needs, they require an adequate space. Stepping Stones no longer works in its current space at Coley Elementary.
I say, let’s put kids with disabilities first and “find another place” for our gardens. I love that Westport has a community garden. I appreciate the need for green spaces and the ability to grow our own fresh food. I am sure we can find another place for the garden. why not on the roof of the school? roof top gardens are excellent for the environment and can be incorporated into the education of the students inside. School of the Future (yes that is the real name) in NYC has a wonderful roof garden.
When children with disabilities are involved, I think we need to take extra care. Our community can not displace these kids. a garden will grow in many area, but students need a well thought out, accessible place that gives them room for the therapies they need, access to toilets and sinks that fit their small size, and a place to be safe and feel safe so they can thrive.
It is a shame that our community needs to make these choices. I value our community gardens, and firmly believe there must be a place in town that can serve the same purpose.
No matter the choice, some community will lose something. should that lose affect our town’s children, both typical and neurotypical?
Hi Abby. Just to be clear… the Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve members are not against Stepping Stones at all. We all recognize that there is a significant need for that facility as well. A new and improved Long Lots Elementary School, along with Stepping Stones, can be placed on the property without compromising, in their current state, the Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve. This is what can and should be done. This is certainly not a Gardens versus Stepping Stones issue at all. What we are against is covering the 20 year old Westport Community Gardens and Long Lots Preserve with a baseball field. That is certainly not necessary.
I hope this helps.
I am a Special Ed Paraprofessional. A great life skill is gardening, what a gift it will be to have stepping stones next to the gardens so little ones can get their hands dirty with real world manipulatives at their fingertips.
Why do we even keep discussing replacing the baseball field when it’s been proven that due to lack of utilization the town has NO need to replace the it.
Why hasn’t the First Selectwoman contributed to this discussion?
Let’s focus on all the many alternatives presented rather than destroy our beautiful Community Gardens.
Gardeners are NOT against Stepping Stones! The Garden supports a great new school to accommodate Stepping Stones! Gardeners as citizens of WP want a new state-of-the-art school to accommodate and include ALL our children. Gardeners are NOT asking for a change in the Stepping Stones plan. We simply want a school building plan that accommodates the Garden and are appalled that we are almost a year into the planning and this horrible plan is being pushed forward. Only after 7 months of cover planning were we informed, at the first public meeting, that, in the Committee’s words, ‘all of the [6] plans affect the Garden — it’s the school’s property’. The latter is FALSE. The Garden is Town property, under Parks & Rec. Gardeners want a plan that leaves the Garden alone — not one that smacks a playing field on top of the Garden and destroys it! Town should send the Committee — and the architect — back to the drawing table for a plan that accommodates all our children’s needs and LEAVES THE GARDEN ALONE. TAKE THIS PLAN OFF THE TABLE.
Yes, let’s take moving the Gardens off the table. But let’s be clear: Stepping Stones is NOT the problem–the gardeners are not saying that. The problem is that the committee seems to value pleasing the Babe Ruth league more than pleasing town residents.
What a well written article. Thank you Dan for writing this.
For those who are unaware of the process, the building committee is charged with reviewing and recommending options to build or renovate a school. Once that recommendation is made, town leaders become directly involved. RTM, P&Z, Board of Education, Finance Committee, Parks and Rec, etc. I agree any option of moving the Gardens and Preserve would be terrible. I also agree with Dan there must be a way to find 4 acres of town property to build a ball field. I also believe any option involving moving the gardens and preserve will meet a tremendous amount of resistance in the process of obtaining approval from the community. To avoid pushing ahead with such an option and sending it back to the drawing board, just take it off the table now.
Thank you for supporting the community gardens. It is so important to maintain them where they are. And I am confident there is a solution to the school needs which would preserve the gardens. Perhaps an architectural competition with a prize?
Thank you, Dan, for stating this with such clarity. Yes, Westport should be abundantly able to come up with an innovative, exemplary, way to solve this space problem (so interesting that you used a space telescope for your example). We are a town of innovators, of super intelligent leaders; we should be able to save the invaluable green space of the WCG and Preserve, AND meet the needs of Long Lots Elementary, Stepping Stones, and athletic field.
Come on Westport!
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE
Totally agree Dan. This is not rocket science.
In fact, the committee has repeatedly said that some of the options it has drawn up have preserved the Garden and Preserve. They ought to choose one of those! They seem to be setting up the idea that those cost more, and bulldozing nature is cheaper. So there will be a cost to maintain natural features.
But haven’t we learned that it is not only worth spending money to do so, but imperative for the environment and the earth? This should be a no-brainer. It seems clear that none of the decision makers has seriously considered environmental impact as a criteria, or we would not be here.
The committee, the BOE, the first selectwoman should step up and take the destruction of natural community assets off the table.
The people have spoken….time to listen. Take it off the table!
Thank you, Dan, for another thoughtful and well-written piece. Why is this so difficult? As people said above: “Just take the community gardens destruction off the table”!
Any part of a solution to preserve the Community Garden should absolutely not include the suggestion that the future home for Stepping Stones Preschool, also an indisputable town treasure, at LLS be reconsidered! The goals of passionate and dedicated parents, teacher and administrators to locate/build an adequate facility to both meet a growing need for special education programming within an inclusive setting has been an ongoing challenge for the past several years. Suggesting a pivot from this plan be any part of a solution to the Community Garden preservation is not considering the needs of the entire student community. Creating an opportunity for both the gardens and our children to thrive should not be mutually exclusive here. I am confident in a more thoughtful process to meet these important community goals.
The outpouring of support for the Community Gardens and the Preserve is astounding and wonderful. Simply take the issue off the table and then address anything else relevant to a new Long Lots. The public has spoken.
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!
Thank you for your support, Dan! TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!!!
Thank you so much for framing this issue so precisely Dan.
However they may plead to the contrary, LLSBC clearly has an agenda to bulldoze the Preserve and the Gardens and build a new ball field there. The deafening silence from the Selectwoman’s office is equally telling. There was resistance at the last LLSBC to even consider a plan that kept the garden intact!
Parks and Rec can’t or won’t produce a publicly available report on what fields were used when and for what purpose historically – How can an informed decision be made without that information?
Let’s have all publicly elected officials on record about where they stand on this issue – lobby the BOE / P&Z / BOF and most of all the RTM – put the issue on the agenda for any and all meetings.
Protecting the Gardens and Preserve is a bipartisan issue and our community has spoken together loudly in opposition to what is being planned. If nothing else we should then exact a toll at the ballot box come election day.
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!
Please TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE! My two teenagers have now flown the roost and both were students at Long Lots. What a truly wonderful school it was for them and, I am sure, still is for other families. So, from my own experience, I truly value any investment for the future of the school.
In parallel, the drive to preserve the Community Gardens seems to me to be vitally important. We live in a town that seems to relish taking things down – particularly clear cutting discreet eco systems for more and more houses – often implemented by out of town developers – yes you Freseneus Development person.
Let’s not kid ourselves that the emotion around preserving the Community Gardens is just that – emotional and/or knee jerk. No, it is extremely rational. In the world we inhabit, one of immediacy and instant gratification, our children are mimicking us as we travel at warp speed.
As a community, let’s come together to find stepping stones to provide the oxygen we need as individuals and families. For those who have not thought of a community garden plot for you and your children, or perhaps just for you, please try it. The Post Road can wait for you just an hour longer.
Time slows at the garden and guess what? That’s rational.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has”.
Margaret Mead
These are the words that I live by.
There are a few important points to keep in mind.
1. The Town of Westport hired a designer and a construction manager, appointed a Building Commitee with the charge to find the best solution for the school by requiring them to follow Ed specs, prepared by the BOE. The BOE specs are meant to govern the design of the school building only, not even athletic fields. The BOE occupies only a part of the town property that houses the school. The entities that are deciding on the future of other site elements are doing so without any formal direction besides the Ed Specs.
2. It is the industry known fact that a new building is easier to construct than to renovate an existing building. Renovation with expansion would require more elaborate phasing and is expected to encounter more unforeseen issues that need to be resolved on the spot. This requires more resources from the professionals with potentially less compensation if their fee is tied to the cost of construction. Hence the above-mentioned consultants are incentivized to make recommendation to build a new school instead of renovating and expanding existing. To achieve this goal, they would go as far as saying that new school would cost less and take less time to build. This is not true and is definitely the opposite when it comes to cost. Despite numerous offers from various design professionals in town that are looking to help them find the solution that keeps all stake holders happy, the SBC has chosen not to engage in any kind of peer review.
3. A like-new renovation with vertical expansion would preserve all of the current site elements, including expansion of the ball field. It is also more sustainable solution that would get more state funding as cost reimbursement.
All for the preserve. Very surprised the real headline isn’t being equally discussed-the school itself!! Rebuilding a new school is a HUGE capital cost to the town vs upgrading the current structure. Sure, a new school is sexy and some will argue absolutely necessary but it isn’t. A pragmatic investment & plan to upgrade would cost the town alot less $, be achievable much quicker, and be less disruptive if planned correctly. Why isn’t THAT debate getting more dialogue??!
Take it off the table. Keep the garden. Look at other options. Be creative.
Take it off the table! The gardens are a town treasure!
Save the gardens and preserve for the sake of our children, community and future. Rethink the plan and let’s do better for all. Take the gardens off the table.
As privileged as we are to have the schools that we have, we are equally privileged to have an extraordinary Community Garden. Protect the Garden. It also serves as both an example and learning tool for our children and an immeasurable benefit to our town.
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!
Thank you Dan for your insightful coverage of this important issue. TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!
Thanks Dan for continuing to provide a space for Westporters to share their opinions respectfully and peacefully with each other. I wonder if it would be productive for the LLSBC to meet with representatives from the various constituent groups to have face-to-face discussions/working sessions? Perhaps the joint creative forces could come up with a plan together that maximizes satisfaction and minimizes compromises?
Take it off the table. We don’t need to move the gardens. We should not move the gardens!
Right on! There is no valid reason to move the Community Garden. It is another little treasure that has grown to be an example of our town’s diversity.
If the planners would put on their creative caps and and leave the garden in its current place, then they would be earning their compensation.
Thanks, Dan, for your words of wisdom. With some creativity and thoughtfulness we can solve this dilemma. Take destruction of the Community Garden and Preserve OFF THE TABLE.
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!!
Also lets be clear the garden is not trying to deprive any child in this town with special needs a space. It is not the garden vs stepping stones. It is a lets not demolish and eliminate a 20 year sweat equity treasure because no one wants to come up with another plan that can leave it in place while accommodating the needs of the community (and the gardeners are also a part of the community!!)
Take it off the table!!! The Community Gardens are an integral part of our “Westport Community.”
Thank you for every written word Dan Woog! What’s been so frustrating is the WCG has been completely shut out from the table since the LLSBC began meeting quietly in September 2022.
At the end of June 2023, when news of the proposed plan slipped out to plop a Babe Ruth Field on top of the 20-year old Garden – there was indeed an outcry, and yes, we Gardeners and many supporters were “activated” to use the First Selectwoman’s word.
The LLSBC continues on its merry road to destroy the Garden with a “Let Them Eat Cake” mentality. There is no pause, no “We haven’t thought of that” or “Let’s work together on this”. No. It’s full throttle forward to their desired goal from the start.
Dan Woog and Lou, let’s hope your common sense, creative ideas and educational benefits of this unique town jewel finally penetrates the minds of the LLSBC and a solution is found to keep the Gardens/Preserves in place and to avoid animosity and a protracted fight down the road.
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!!
Thank you, Dan for clearly stating the obvious. We need town leadership that represents its voters. We are a model town that sets the bar for our neighbors, with a thriving Farmer’s Market supported by town residents as well as a school system we are proud of. We value healthy eating and living and resent that our town leadership ISN”T LISTENING!!
Our Community Garden provides a healthy environment creating physical strength, agility and a sense of belonging to all age groups from toddlers to 90 year olds. We joined the Community Garden 18 years ago. It was rewarding, and distracted us from the stress of sending teenagers off into their future lives. Our children have grown, and we now belong to an aging population, a disenfranchised group. We are not alone, as we have a large age range of gardeners, and some, like us are retired and keep vital. We spend money locally, pay our taxes as everyone does, but add very little expense to the town. As noted by the Parks and Recreation Department, the Community Garden land is under their auspices, however, it is no expense to them, as the gardeners take care of the site themselves.
Tending the plants almost on a daily basis encourages new friendships among like minded people. There are always problems to be solved, and time for celebration when our plants thrive and grow and provide us with delicious vegetables or beautiful flowers. The garden helps keep us connected in a culture of increasing isolation and work-at-home jobs. The prediction is that we are now expected to live well into our nineties as our generations age. The younger generations are working harder and harder with less time for hobbies to take them into retirement. We boost the financial stability of Westport and overall health and longevity of Westporters’ as we model valuable habits to the younger generations.
The Town of Westport should support this garden and preserve it for all generations. TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!!
Clearly, the community garden is a beautiful outdoor space with tremendous support from the readers of this blog. To gain broader town-wide support, it would be helpful to know the following:
1) The garden is locked and access is limited to the 120 member families representing about 1% of the Westport population. How often do the garden plots change hands? Are there regular hours when the garden is open to the public?
2) Providing educational opportunities for Long Lots students at the community garden is a wonderful idea. Is this an existing program or a new initiative presented in response to the new building plans?
3) Is the property under the control of the BOE, Parks and Recreation, or the Town in general? As posted on the community garden website, “GENERAL RULES OF THE GARDEN: 1. The Westport Community Gardens are on an elementary school property and as such the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides are prohibited by State law.”
Any town resident or employee of the Town of Westport is eligible to become a Westport Community Gardens member. Existing members have first choice to renew their membership annually. We are currently at full capacity and have a waitlist. Anyone eligible and interested can go to our website to download an application and submit it to be added to the waitlist.
The Gardens are a magical place and we are fortunate to have so many dedicated members who have worked tirelessly to make the Gardens what they are today!
There have been offers extended for educational opportunities, some of them are still in discussion. We all agree that students at the Gardens offers a wonderful opportunity.
If anyone is interested in a tour, you are welcomed to contact me or any member of the Steering Committee.
We don’t leave the garden open. Among other reasons, if we did, anyone (not just Westporters) could gain entry. There wouldn’t be many flowers or crops left. IMO.
I have been waiting fifteen years for a slip at one of the town marinas Eric – what is your point?
The gardens are locked to deter vandalism…anyone who wants to see them can do so whenever convenient…
The garden general rules are meant to be respectful of the school not to be a legally binding document…
Can we try to have this discussion in the open and respectfully please?
, “TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!”
Take it off the table.
Excellent thought piece, Dan. Thank you! One wonders why the Building Committee hasn’t done something similar. Today’s Long Lots Elementary is sandwiched between two Parks & Recs controlled parcels: the existing playing fields on one side of the school and the Community Gardens / Preserve on the other side. According to research by another commenter, youth baseball participation is down in Westport and none of the town’s four existing Babe Ruth fields was used much last season by town youth. If the Building Committee and town leadership wants to keep four full size ball fields at the ready in case youth baseball picks up someday, why must one be placed on top of a bulldozed Community Garden / Preserve? Why not think outside the box as Dan has?
, TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE!
Just in case anybody hasn’t noticed this, but the baseball field they want to put over the gardens is Babe Ruth size. That league is for 13 – 15 year olds. So why does this have to be adjacent to an elementary school? Very fishy.
The property where the garden is located was an apple orchard, a rose greenhouse, and now a community garden. It should remain as an agricultural space, as it has been for over a hundred years. Find another area for a ball field.
Thank you Dan for sharing these creative and forward-thinking solutions for Long Lots School and the community gardens. The idea of removing a thriving community garden and outdoor learning area shouldn’t be up for discussion. The selectwoman and committee have seem determined throughout this process to expand and bulldoze over the garden for a Babe Ruth sized baseball field. I don’t understand the motivation behind that, and I hope they’re willing to listen to all of the Westport residents who have spoken up in support of transparency and collaboration.
I would like to encourage the building committee to seriously consider thoughtful proposals like Dan’s above. By exploring more innovative solutions, we have the opportunity to create spaces that benefit students and residents for years to come. Take it off the table.
Take it off the table!!
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE NOW
I’m looking to First Selectwoman Tooker for her leadership
on this issue. I voted for her (apologies to Rep. Steinberg). I have no idea what her opinion is or if she even has one on this matter.
Same for her colleagues Selectwomen Moore & Savin.
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE
TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE