They Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking Lot

While on campus for my 10th reunion, I was astonished to see that the pristine swath of land that used to be our historic cross country course, which is now dubbed “the Meadows Neighborhood,” had been paved and turned into uninspiring big-box buildings and parking lots. I also find it worrisome that the longest standing cross-country coach was not consulted about the development. I asked Peter Farrell (women’s cross country and track coach from 1978 to 2016) if he was contacted. He wrote in a text, “Nope. They don’t seem to want advice from a relic.” 

Sure, there is a new condensed, oval cross country course that’s manicured and will be spectator friendly. And the current cross country coaches were involved with this new course. Farrell admitted, “I’m actually happy that they salvaged something.”

Still, PAW’s July article doesn’t compute. To say that the West Windsor land is “expected to be a major focus for athletics” without commenting on the fact that our historic cross country course was paved is paving over history. 

To add insult to this development, this whole project follows supposed campus planning guiding principles in the name of “sustainability.” Since when did new building construction on undeveloped land earn the badge of sustainable? Aren’t we missing the point here? If we want to preserve biodiversity, shouldn’t we protect what’s in our own backyard? 

While on a run to see what had happened to our beloved course, I saw a tiny fawn stuck between two long fences. One fence guarded the new Meadows Neighborhood and another was blocking access to the towpath. Needless to say, I wasn’t filled with black and orange pride.

Granted this was one animal on one day, but I believe her predicament is a microcosm of a larger problem with campus development. I can live without a historic cross country course, but can we thrive on a planet with less and less undeveloped land?