I learned of Butler Township’s proposed plan to put a 200-250 space parking lot on the grounds of Preston Park located off Eberhart Road. The land was donated by Jane Preston upon her death in 2008 to Butler Township. Preston Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

Dr. Preston and his wife were devout ecologists and conservationists and developed the 100-acre grounds with a pond and various species of trees, vegetation and gardens. He played a vital part in McConnells Mill, Moraine and Maurice K. Goddard State Parks being created.

In his memoir, Dr. Preston wrote of his property: “I hoped to make the place attractive by landscaping and by its surroundings.” I don’t think a 250-space parking lot is something he would have envisioned. Mrs. Preston directed in her will that a Board of Advisers be established as a check and balance about how the grounds would be handled. At this time, there is no Advisory Board, so why are any decisions being made about this area without the input of the board as Jane Preston’s will stated there would be?

As the township grows, and more land is developed, we see less and less green space. I understand that this is inevitable when communities grow and private land owners decide to sell their property for development, but we need to make sure that the green spaces the township owns are kept for that purpose and handled and managed very carefully.

I have heard that concern over this plan has been brought to the township’s elected officials. with members saying they either don’t know about it, denying it or not responding. Yet these same concerned residents have seen soil tests being conducted at the park, along with crews surveying the land. What is going on and why the secrecy? Let the people know what you intend and hold a public forum about it; hear their concerns. Preston Park is a beautiful, serene place that people visit so they can enjoy those very things, I hope it stays that way.

Patrick McCurdy, Meridian