Dear Editor:

Considering the controversy nurtured by the Doyles over a reconfigured pre-existing asphalt parking lot at the working waterfront park. I was surprised to drive by the new playground at Clifford Park and to see a large newly paved asphalt parking lot.

The Land Trust has proven a dirt driveway can serve just as well. In fact, we have several land preserves further on down the road and all have dirt parking lots and pathways.

I noticed another smaller-looking paved road or pathway and so I got out and walked it and found many more asphalt paved driveways and walkways all over the place in a park made of artificially reconfigured landscape feeling like a continuation of the country club. Not too far away are Knickerbocker Lake and Adams Pond, the Peninsula’s two drinking water supplies that have been listed by the state as “endangered by further development” since the late eighties.

The campaign against the working waterfront park shares a high-profile benefactor of Clifford Park. That campaign has stalled the park’s progress for months going on to more months. Among other Trumped-up charges against the working waterfront park -- a reconfiguration of a pre-existing asphalt parking lot. It gives cause to wonder how Clifford Park's massive use of asphalt paving was approved by the permit process, even though the townships are different, environmental concerns are universal.

This is a teaching moment in our community What is the new playground for children with its many asphalt parking lots, roadways, and pathways teaching? 

Mackenzie Andersen

Boothbay