Un piccolo salto nel tempo (un paio di settimane fa) e nello spazio: a Stevenson Park (Middletown, New Jersey). L'amministrazione locale vorrebbe riempire questo prezioso angolo verde con campi da calcio. Una mia recente trasferta a New York (29 novembre - 2 dicembre 2018) mi ha portato a trascorrere una giornata a Stevenson Park.
Direttamente da una pagina del mio diario (perdonate l'inglese). Spero piaccia.
How to be a Blondiest – part 5: Save Stevenson Park
Middletown, New Jersey December, 1st 2018
“Debbie Harry is supporting it”, I tell to a lady.
“It is in her backyard”, replies the lady. When I told her that a group is fighting against the project which could destroy Stevenson Park, she said “I have heard of it”.
Being a naturalist is a way of life, everywhere. My short Blondie tour to New York – “Point of view”, Chris and Debbie on the stage, presenting the last Chris’ book – gets some special and unexpected (to most people) tints and shades. Boots and binoculars: a real field trip. And a camera, even if I am not a photographer.
Filling my notebook. Tracing my trail on my phone: I can’t do without it.
As shown by the map (Oruxmap is the app), my field trip in Stevenson Park starts from Firethorn Circle in Middletown (New Jersey). Keep in mind that it is a private area, you can’t get there by car. The road I am walking on – not on openstreetmap or on other online maps– is covered by worn asphalt. “This road has been traced to enable people to cross the area”, will point out a lady later.
The first part runs through a wood. Northern Red Oak and Eastern White Oak occur: the landscape is not so different from the one I am used to seeing in my own land. Oaks are widespread and important in the region I live. And we have Northern Red Oaks too. But this is an invasive species, a problem for our forests.
Some deadwood, some standing dead trees: so important for biodiversity. “What about the management of Stevenson Park? Do they leave some deadwood on the ground? If they do, it could be really great”, reads my notebook. Another tree species, the Black Locust: so invasive in my land, where it was imported more than 200 years ago.
“So, you know what Blondie are.”, says a gentleman.
“I am here to check the area” – I told him – “The area Debbie Harry is struggling for”.
A large meadow on the right. That’s where the Committee is planning to build a part of the sport complex: many soccer fields. All the meadows will be covered by the complex, according to what some website report. Blue Jays on the trees: so nice sound to my ears.
“I am a member of the group fighting against this project” explains a lady. She plays and teaches tennis. She likes sport so much – so does her son – but “we should protect this important green area”.
“To date, the project has been stopped: Stevenson Park is safe.”, tells me the lady.
Meadows with high grass, woods, transition areas between woods and meadows: Stevenson Park shows an interesting mixture.
“A good place for birdwatching, too”, I say to myself. A row of trees separates two meadows: they show portions covered by interesting high grass species. Birdwatching, yes, and a nice place to spend some hours in the open. A flock of Canada Geese fly over the Park. Walking by the shore of Shadow Lake: a magic farewell.
Have you ever been there, fans or – better said – Blondiests?
Matteo Barattieri
