Re: “Trees were cleared to build your home” (March 30) replying to “We mourned a forest today” (March 23).
I think you miss the point. The land has always belonged to a developer, who has been kind to allow the kids to play there, and we knew ultimately this was the goal, that it would be cleared and developed and, as the land is zoned for housing, it was well outside the school’s budget to acquire to change that outcome, but in the five or more years the kids have played there, it has been a much loved play space, classroom and even burial place for two deeply mourned school pets.
As my six-year-old noted, it’s sad/happy. Even she understands the need for progress, for homes, just as the author does, but losing a precious place deserves acknowledging, and that’s what the letter was for.
And no, no one cried when my home was built. Few parcels of land will have been as loved and intimately known as that field and woodland by as many small children. Yes, other land has been developed, other trees felled, but to those kids, these trees seemed like theirs.
These trees were special to build their forts, a place to play with their friends. Let the children cry.
Helen Howarth
Squamish
