Free our field: petition update, Facebook & Twitter feeds, wonderful comments

Dear supporters, Our petition to support Cambridge's plan to improve public access to Sacramento Field by building a pedestrian path accessible to persons with disabilities along one side of the Sacramento Street Community Garden has received incredible support from hundreds of signatories, including multiple members of the Community Garden, in just a few weeks. Thank you! You can now like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/freeourfield/ or follow us on Twitter @freeourfield https://twitter.com/freeourfield Please encourage your friends to sign this petition and join our campaign to improve access to community treasure Sacramento Field for the entire Agassiz neighborhood. Interestingly, the proposed path will be the first public access on public land to Sacramento Field: both existing access routes are rights of way on private land, one owned by Harvard and one by a private individual (the sidewalk next to the parking lot, and the dirt path on Sacramento Place, respectively). To reiterate: the proposed path will not directly affect the vast majority of the community garden, which everyone appreciates. It will not eliminate any plots. It will only require relocation of eight of the existing 62 plots to an adjacent location. We'll continue to keep you advised of the progress of this campaign as Cambridge's planning process continues. If you have time, check out the many moving comments community members have posted to our petition; one from Cantabrigian Todd Sperry is attached below. Thank you again for your support. Sincerely, Bob Neer Todd's comment on our petition: As a member of the MidCambridgeGardners group and a parent of a kindergartner at Baldwin, I've considered both sides of this. The Sacramento Street garden is truly the nicest in the city. It reflects the passion and care that we all want in our community. We've walked the garden for 15 years and wrestled with this one. Upon review, I support the relocation efforts for three primary reasons: 1. Time outdoors. Recess time is virtually nonexistent in the current curriculum. Every minute outdoors counts. 2. Open space. The current playground is insufficient. It provides neither the space nor the structures to foster true open play. A field is infinitely better than a crowded blacktop with a jungle gym. 3. Public good. I love the garden. However, relocating a small percentage of the plots to serve hundreds of students is a small sacrifice. As part of the effort, I would encourage Cambridge to work with the Community Garden members to be thoughtful about the relocation efforts and improve facilities throughout the garden, not just the path. I love living here and appreciate the active community discourse. With proper planning, this can work well for all parties. Thanks. Todd Sperry, Cambridge, MA