As per usual, people prefer to follow the disaster in D.C. rather than their own backyard. If you’re not local to the Meridian area, you may not be aware of the 88 acre park sitting right off South Eberhart Road. As a child, I remember riding my bike past these enormous gates, and wondering what was behind them. Of course, we all had stories — monkeys running loose, a “mad scientist” working on the next Frankenstein, or just odd noises we were sure we heard.

What we didn’t realize was it was actually a beautiful, park-like setting full of plants and trees meticulously maintained and loved for years. When Dr. Preston died in 1989, he left the property to his wife, Jane, to manage.

Upon her death in 2008, the area was willed to Butler Township with funding to preserve it well into the future. Instead of preserving it, the township has chosen to desecrate this land with events and plans for a 200-space parking lot. Conveniently, someone who owns a paving company is a township commissioner! Do NOT support Friends of Preston Park Foundation, as they are comprised of — you guessed it — 2 township commissioners.

Please check out Conserve Preston Park on Facebook, and follow the money. Soon, our beautiful area will just be another town with parking lots and no trees. Exactly what Dr. and Mrs. Preston did not want.

Shannon Querry, Butler