The dialogue about Bare Hill Rowing Association’s beach use is ultimately healthy. The conversation provides collaborative opportunity to examine Harvard’s commitment to recreation, BHRA’s role in providing recreation opportunities in town, and the leadership of the Parks and Recreation Commission in facilitating those goals.
In response to several Press letters, the following should be noted:
- BHRA is a nonprofit, Harvard tax-paying organization. It pays an annual fee to Parks and Rec for beach use. Each Acton-Boxborough student pays a surcharge (paid to Parks and Rec) to join the rowing program to compensate for their nonresident status. Do other Bromfield and town teams, and out-of-town athletes who participate on them, pay to use town fields?
- BHRA has a “no cuts” policy for Bromfield students. Unlike other Bromfield teams, any student (able to swim and follow directions) interested in joining crew is automatically on the team. Middle school Learn-to-Row programs are offered only to Bromfield students. Contrary to what was asserted last week, Harvard youth do not compete with students from other towns for rowing team membership. Bromfield students already have “first dibs.”
- It is claimed without substantiation that “there are problems (with the rowing team) that impact other town residents.” What are those problems? Despite repeated BHRA requests, Parks and Rec has declined to document any complaints. The statement that Parks and Rec “has an obligation to represent all town residents equitably” is accurate but hollow. Reassuring words about participatory democracy should not obscure the facts. BHRA has received no evidence of complaints other than personal observations of Parks and Rec members.
- The crux of the team cap issue is not just the number. It is the authority of Parks and Rec to limit the number of athletes on a team. Even if Parks and Rec has authority to limit numbers of beach users at one time, what authorizes the Commission to regulate town and school sports teams?
Positive, collective, and pragmatic problem-solving that accommodates and promotes all recreation in Harvard will produce a neighborly culture of respect, opportunity, enjoyment, and prosperity that residents can be proud of.
Pamela Erdos
Member, Bare Hill Rowing Association Board
Madigan Lane
