To the Editor:

For 60 years, members of the Garden Club of Newtown have come together for the common purpose of stimulating community interest in town beautification and to support conservation of our natural re-sources, environment, and wildlife.

While the Garden Club recognizes that a memorial for the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy is an appropriate activity, we do question the wisdom of developing such a memorial in the 65 acres of open space known as the High Meadow at Fairfield Hills.

At a recent meeting the Garden Club of Newtown board voted to maintain the High Meadow in its current undeveloped and pristine condition, recognizing its unique habitats, ecological importance, and its value as a place to enjoy nature's beauty as a respite from the busy world in which we live.

These undeveloped, open fields provide an important refuge for migrating birds and native wildlife that require a rare and rapidly disappearing grassland habitat. Their various grasses and wildflowers offer a source of nectar for important pollinators such as honey bees, native bees and butterflies including the endangered Monarch butterflies.

The High Meadow is a protected open space parcel, set aside for its environmental value and passive recreation purposes. Development at this site, which would include a road and a parking area, is not consistent with those goals.

It is our hope that this rare meadow habitat will be protected and preserved for now and for the benefit of future generations.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane Baumer, President

Vicki Boccuzzi, Vice President

for the Board of the Newtown Garden Club

Queen Street, Newtown         April 3, 2016