Letter to the Capital-Gazette - Dick Lahn
To: The Capital-Gazette Newspaper
Letter to the Editor
The Capital article on Crofton First’s survey showing public support for
having a Park along the Little Patuxent River -- including previously
proposed Wal-Mart site -- attributes Crofton First’s co-chairman saying
that a park is not likely to happen; “Mr. Berkshire wants to get paid
for his land.” This non-sequitur was not said. No one is asking the
property owner to donate the land even though he supports the park.
Crofton First supports the Berkshire Greenway. If the Park is created,
it is because County, State and Federal governments step up and pay for
this land which, they all say they want.
The federal National Fish and Wildlife Service wants this land protected
to extend the wildlife corridor from the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge to Jug
Bay and on to the Chesapeake Bay. The State of Maryland wants this land
protected because it is within the bounds of a designated State Scenic
River, in the critical area, and is a part of the Patuxent Greenway
System established to
protect “important” lands. The County wants this land -- has already
purchased over 80 acres as parkland – to fulfill its decision to protect
the entire tract designated as the
“Patuxent Greenway”.
Coming to the Crofton – Gambrills – Odenton area is BRAC bringing a
large increase in population, proposed Route 3 shopping centers with
big-box stores, increased traffic throughout the area – particularly on
Route 3 and its already failing intersections, approved housing projects
in the thousands of units, and a major investigation into fly-ash
polluted drinking water wells.
The future is already here. Balance is key. Anne Arundel County is last
in the State in the amount of public land preserved per resident. Who
speaks for the residents of West County? Who speaks for the land?
Dick Lahn
Member Crofton First Steering Committee
The following two pictures are of the proposed park area as it existed
30 to 40 years ago when it was part of Walch’s Grove Picnic Area.
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