Thank you for the time, energy and sacrifices I’m sure you have  made on behalf of the students, staff and community.

I humbly implore you to consider the following appeal.

The fate of Oakwell places Lower Merion School District in the unique position of determining what is in the best interest of the community versus following a decision made by previous administrations that benefits a select few - those middle school students who engage in after school sports.

Our children were fortunate to participate on Lower Merion’s basketball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, track and field and cross country teams and for that I am grateful as the values inherent in good sportsmanship dovetailed with their academics and contributed to the people they are today.

While the significance of team sports cannot be underestimated, the value of retaining Oakwell far outweighs the need for playing fields in this particular location.

Lower Merion School District is at a critical juncture. Before them lies a once in a life time opportunity - to create a unique legacy through the preservation of this majestic tree studded property that already presents as an arboretum.

Swarthmore College is an example of a campus that has long served its students and community through the benefits and advantages of its designation as an arboretum.

Experiencing the open space and soaring trees of Oakwell is notably similar to that of walking the grounds of Longwood Gardens. The fact that it is adjacent to Stoneleigh is all the more enticing in that the landscaping of each was designed to enhance and compliment the other. The remaining original stone steps placed at intervals along the property line are a testament to the connection of the sister estates.

While Lower Merion is fortunate to have among it’s parks Rolling Hill and West Mill Creek, both have suffered immeasurably with dramatically increased foot and automobile traffic. Mill Creek patrons are turned away on a daily basis due to an almost ever-present line of cars waiting for an opening in a parking lot that has no potential for expansion. Weekend visitors to Rolling Hill experience the same phenomenon and in desperation utilize illegal parking areas.

The fact that there is a proven need for more recreational space in conjunction with the community’s increasing sensitivity to an unremitting environmental crisis is a perfect storm for rethinking our agenda and reevaluating our priorities as a community.

We, as a community have within our grasp a once in a lifetime opportunity to capture Oakwell, a natural habitat for

at-risk wildlife, specimen plantings and irreplaceable trees providing a legacy for future generations.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Linda Dorey-Stein

Narberth resident

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How Much Nature Should the United States Keep?

Statement to the Lower Merion School Board

By Sandra Choukroun, Penn Valley

November 14, 2022

Many of us are concerned about preserving Oakwell, and we all want LM students to have the best opportunities possible. But we must think about the real problem that hangs over the entire planet: climate change – that if not stopped right now, will put an end to life as we know it for us, our children, and grandchildren.

Here in Lower Merion it’s easy to forget about this sword of Damocles because there’s no obvious destruction here. We have our trees, our lands, our creeks, and our river. No houses are falling into the ocean and no forests are burning down.

But rising temperatures are fueling environmental degradation, natural disasters, weather extremes, food and water insecurity and economic disruption. Lower Merion is part of this overall picture.

So really the conversation about Oakwell is much bigger than it appears.

How Much Nature Should the United States Keep?

To find answers, I went to the Center for American Progress (CAP), an independent, nonpartisan policy institute that is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans.

With policy teams from a number of disciplines and major issue areas, CAP applies creative approaches to develop ideas for policymakers that lead to real change.

In 2018 CAP commissioned Conservation Science Partners (CSP), a nonprofit group of scientists, to develop the most detailed map ever composed of the human footprint in the United States.

Using dozens of data sets and unique algorithms the scientists mapped the degree of human modification and natural land loss in the contiguous 48 states from 2001 to 2017.

The scientific team found that human activities are causing the persistent and rapid loss of America’s natural areas.

The human footprint in the continental United States grew by more than 24 million acres from 2001 to 2017—equivalent to the loss of roughly a football field worth of natural area every 30 seconds.

If national trends continue, a South Dakota-sized expanse of forests, wetlands, and wild places in the continental United States will disappear by 2050.

A growing number of scientists are recommending that nations commit to conserving 30 percent of their lands and oceans by 2030.

If it has been determined that fields are needed then we have to move heaven and earth to find a solution that doesn’t involve destroying 13 acres of precious land with hundreds of trees, many animals, and the watersheds of three local creeks.

Every single acre that isn’t paved over makes a difference.

There are many universities and schools in LM and the surrounding area. Let’s find a way to partner with them so that our students who need playing fields can use them.

Saying that fields are more important than the destruction of the planet is a dangerous mistake.

Demonstrating to our students that we are taking action against climate change by preserving this small piece of Lower Merion is the best education we can give them.