Conservation, as defined by Webster’s, is “a deliberate planned guarding and protecting of something felt as precious.” The benefactors of the Powell land along East Bare Hill Road (part of the collective Powell-Reed-Abbott land) surely had this description in mind when they made this exceptionally beautiful property available to the town of Harvard over 40 years ago. I have lived across the street from the Powell land for 13 years, and like many residents from East Bare Hill Road and beyond, have spent countless hours in all seasons and all types of weather enjoying the trails in the two meadows and surrounding woodlands. Activities there include walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, biking, horseback riding, and simply spending quiet time appreciating the scenery and abundant wildlife. In the larger meadow alone I have seen monarch butterflies, foxes, coyotes, deer, hawks, and owls, as well as significant aquatic life in the small pond there. The trailhead directly across the street from my driveway affords direct access to this gorgeous meadow and its wildlife, as well as an uninterrupted route from East Bare Hill Road to Bowers Springs, Vaughn Hill, and miles of additional trails. Both meadows and their trails truly provide a natural playground for people of all ages to enjoy and are a significant reason my family and I love living where we do.
With all of these benefits of the Powell land in mind, I was stunned to read in last week’s Harvard Press that Tim Bragan and the Select Board condone potentially transforming this open space into a ball field and parking lot. I appreciate the desire to have an additional ball field in town, but as long as alternatives to prime conservation land exist, including multiple ball fields currently available in Devens, I strongly encourage Mr. Bragan and the Select Board to reconsider such alternatives. However, if the Select Board’s plan gets included on the warrant for a vote at the October 22 Special Town Meeting, I would strongly encourage everyone who appreciates the beauty of the Powell land to attend that meeting and vote against converting this special place into a manicured ball field and parking lot.
David Neville
East Bare Hill Road
