I’m still thinking about the editorial in the Newburyport Daily News, saying basically, enough with the open space (see earlier post.)

And I think that so much emphasis has been place on open space because there are so many people in Newburyport, Massachusetts who are passionate about open space.

Getting anything done civically or politically takes an enormous amount of time and energy. And people just don’t spend that kind of energy unless they are passionate about something.

People in Newburyport are beginning to get passionate about affordable housing, and because of that, affordable housing is going to get a whole lot more attention, which is a great thing.

Marlene Schroeder is one of those people who is passionate about open space.

Marlene sent me a map that shows a little better the 126 acres of open space that are being considered by the City of Newburyport.

The area in the dark green on the map is the 126 acres. This area, if purchased would be called “Wet Meadows.”

Map showing what would be “Wet Meadows” in dark green

As you can see from the map the area abuts Rt. 95 and Hale Street.

When you come from the South on Route 95, getting off at Rt. 113, it is your first glimpse of Newburyport. It is the pastoral land with the cows. And it is stunning.

It is a pastoral gateway, if you will to the City of Newburyport. It speaks of our agricultural heritage.

It brings me a sense of peace and relief every time I pass it. One of the things I love about Newburyport is its wonderful balance of these pastoral scenes, combined with the historic district and historic downtown.

I would disagree with the editorial in the Newburyport Daily News. I think one of the things we’ve learned over the past 10 years, Cherry Hill being the most extreme example (see earlier post on the history of Cherry Hill,) is that when opportunities like this come along, we as a City dare not pass them up, because we will have one chance and one chance only, and we can never, ever get that opportunity back again.

And I for one am very grateful to all the people who have worked so hard to make this a possibility. And I hope that the Newburyport City Council would also agree.

Mary Eaton, Newburyport