Last month, a township meeting saw 70 plus people attend because of activity on the wooded lot on South Eberhart Drive in Butler that the township owns. Originally given to Carnegie Mellon years ago by the Prestons, it since has been purchased by the township.

The township denies there are any plans. It is obvious that the intent is to build a parking lot to service venues at Preston Park. Preston Park has 67 parking spaces. The addition of a parking lot on that wooded property could add up to an additional 250 parking spaces, which realistically could add more than 600 visitors at one time. This would obviously affect the conservation of Preston Park, both wildlife and vegetation. The Carnegie Mellon property has been home to the same plants, birds and animals for many years. That habitat is destined to be destroyed to build a parking lot.

This large parking lot will increase noise, lighting and, of course, traffic to a quiet residential community. The preservation and conservation of Preston Park has been top priority. Why is it that conservation and preservation are so important to the township on the Preston property but NOT on the properties that surround it? I am asking the township commissioners to reconsider the impact to the environment, the wildlife, to the residents and to those who use and enjoy the park in its current state. Would this commercialization have been the true intent of the Preston’s and their legacy?

Cindi Hackett, Verona