Thank you for preserving the beauty of Pequitside
By GuestDear Editor:
As abutters of Pequitside Farm, we would like to thank all who came to last Monday’s session of Annual Town Meeting to cast their votes to preserve the beauty and tranquility of Pequitside. Like many others, we were surprised and dismayed by Article 19, which proposed to construct six pickleball courts in the heart of this treasured conservation property.
We do not oppose pickleball. It’s a rapidly growing sport that attracts young and old. Our initial concerns were the impact on the conservation land, noise, and the hefty price tag of $650,000. To gain greater understanding of what Pequitside means to the entire community, we visited the walking paths, community gardens, and children’s playground where we talked with our fellow residents who come there to enjoy the peace and quiet.
We met folks tilling the soil in the community gardens. Many have waited years to be assigned a plot to grow vegetables and flowers. We spoke with people who walk their dogs every day, and those who just come for a stroll, to enjoy solitude or talk with friends while sitting on the benches and picnic tables. We chatted with parents who brought their children to play on the new swings and slides. We shared glimpses of birds, deer, chipmunks, rabbits, and an occasional red fox.
Everyone we met was unaware of the impending addition of pickleball courts and asked why they would be placed in conservation land as beautiful and peaceful as Pequitside. Several people suggested different locations within Canton, or the increasing number of indoor pickleball facilities in the area.
It became clear that this change was going to significantly alter the daily lives of many Canton citizens who love Pequitside just as it is and have enjoyed it for many years.
They will all be relieved that the crisis has passed. We hope that in the future, our town leaders will work hard to gain input from all stakeholders before moving forward on such proposals.
We are grateful to the town officials who were accessible and helpful. We are grateful to all the voters who turned out, and we urge the Select Board to find another site for courts so that our pickleball-playing neighbors can enjoy the sport they love. Canton is large enough to accommodate all of our favorite forms of recreation.
Marv & Gayle Feldman
Gary & Betty Kaplan
Helen & Jim Mancuso
Karen Wesley
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=131811
Posted by Guest
on May 30 2025. Filed under From One Citizen to Another, Opinion.
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