Sherry Jagerson’s memorial service last weekend was an upbeat, uplifting afternoon.
The longtime Westporter — who died earlier this month at 80 — was remembered for her vibrant, can-do, do-it-yourself spirit, and for the many environmental and humanitarian projects she threw herself into, at home and around the world.
Now, she may be memorialized here for decades to come.
Andrew Colabella and Matthew Mandell have started a petition to rename the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve on Hillspoint Road “Sherry Jagerson Preserve.”
One view of Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve … (Photo/Katherine Bruan)
The petition says: “This preserve exists as it is today because of the environmental love and care of Sherry Jagerson.”
In 2009 she — along with Wendy Crowther and Liz Milwe, and Westport’s Parks & Recreation maintenance division — excavated the property, built up the land, and installed a boat launch, saltwater natural plants, and accessible walkways with benches.
Colabella credits Jagerson’s “vision and hard work” from 2009 onward with the preserve’s current look and appeal.
… and another. (Photo/Bobbi Essagof)
Jagerson could be memorialized for many things. She was a steward for Nash Pond, where she lived. She led one of the first initiatives to ban plastic bags in the country. She created the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, helped found the Westbridge Coalition, was a founding board member for United with Kenya, and served on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.
But naming a wonderful piece of town property “Sherry Jagerson Preserve” is especially fitting.
Sherry Jagerson at Mill Pond Preserve. (Photo/Monique Bosch)
Here’s one more story. Last Sunday — the day after her memorial service — Jagerson’s son, 2 daughters, grandchildren and friends gathered at the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve.
They spent the better part of a day weeding, cleaning and planting. As they did, they felt her spirit everywhere.
(The request to rename the property “Sherry Jagerson Park” will go to the Board of Selectwomen. If okayed, it heads to the Representative Town Meeting for final approval. Click here to see and sign the petition.)
Sherry Jagerson’s family and friends at the preserve last Sunday …
… with a pause for a group shot. (Photo/Jen Tooker)
Sherry Jagerson was also an accomplished sailor and racer. She founded a business that taught women how to sail.
Maybe rename the whole town after her. Jagersonport has a nice ring to it.
Although certainly well intentioned, I’m not totally sure the proposed renaming effort is completely without concern. The Preserve’s present name intentionally reflects both the historic use of the pond as well as the family associated with that use. Erasing both comes with consequences – interpretative value and public understanding being two that most readily come to mind. Canceling or altering place names should generally be subject to careful consideration in my view.
I understand. But no one is changing the name of the Sherwood Mill Pond.
The family name also remains with Sherwood Island State Park. And the connector, and diner.
That’s true. However, the Preserve’s present name is, by design, contextually related to the Pond and its historic pattern of use. By disappearing the former, we may possibly erode the public’s understanding of and association with the latter. Either way, I’m certainly not going to die on this hill – and, as an aside, I’m forever thankful to Sherry for her kind assistance on a high profile municipal historic preservation project (99 Myrtle) that I spearheaded with Wendy Crowther and some others back in the day.
Awesome well deserved. One of my most favorite places saved by my friend Amy VanArsdale, who lived across the street. I’m sure she is smiling as well.
It’s likely the Preserve would not exist – particularly not in this condition – under any name if not for Sherry’s initiative and persistence. I had suggested renaming it on this blog just after her passing and am grateful that Andrew Colabella and Matthew Mandell have taken steps to make it happen. Good intentions, good actions, more community!
Oh my gosh, no! Put up a plaque in dedication but please no changes! The whole history of the mill pond is there and it’s not just the preserve but Allens clam house, the oyster beds and the Northrop family. Old mill history gets trampled on regularly – just look at the horrifying and ugly result of town decisions at the old cafe de la plage and the 5 ft hedges blocking the beach walk. No more – find another part of town to erase.
Better monitoring of what is being pulled out and poached from The Pond would also be a way to honor Ms. Jagerson’s environmental efforts.