Consider garden options beside 1A

A March 24 Fence Post from Jim Dillon regarding Option 1A is misleading. Currently there are 600 garden plots on West Street, and 428 is the number of distinct households who rented plots in 2008. If each household has on average three residents, the number of people who garden on West Street is hardly a few hundred, but conservatively in excess of 1,000 More than a third of the plots, 216, are in the south section and would be displaced, including the entire organic section. It is 81 percent of the current plots that would be offered, if more than a hundred new plots in the northern section prove suitable for gardening (not too wet or rocky).

Yes, the annual cost does approach $20,000. Furthermore, gardeners donate thousands of pounds of fresh produce to Loaves and Fishes Pantry, especially worthwhile considering the economy. At an annual expense of $20,000, it would take more than 35 years before an amount comparable to the estimated $750,000 cost of Option 1A would be incurred.

"The Gardeners Plan", known as Option 2A, does not require busing, but suggests the park district allow Naperville Central High School greater use of Knoch Park while community athletic groups take advantage of other under-programmed area parks. Some might respond that no such parks exist, but the park district only knows what parks are reserved in advance by its affiliates, not the extent athletes practice in these parks at other times. Developing the 20 acres acquired in 2007 by the park district at Nike Park is the key long-term solution to demand for field space.

George Bennett

Naperville