How Can Roosevelt Forest Be Improved?

Jason Bagley (Editor) October 10, 2012 at 05:05 pm

Comment left on the Stratford Patch Facebook page:
Robert Chambers: "Leave it alone, why does everything have to be messed with? it's a forest!" Visit and "like" our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/StratfordPatch

Jason Bagley (Editor) October 10, 2012 at 05:33 pm

Here's another comment, simple and to the point:
Sally Morrell: "Dog park" http://www.facebook.com/StratfordPatch

Jason Bagley (Editor) October 10, 2012 at 06:04 pm

"The pond and rest areas need a face lift," comments Omar Flores (@ctramosono) on Twitter.
Follow us: https://twitter.com/StratfordPatch

greg cann October 10, 2012 at 07:20 pm

Forestry management should assure mixed age & species, more typical of old New England and improved overall health for plant & wildlife. Caution to minimize roadways used to cut/remove the trees - see White Memorial (Litchfield) and State Forests which have tended to be torn up/scarred. Keep it a forest, a true unique town asset.

Jason Bagley (Editor) October 10, 2012 at 08:43 pm

A couple more comments left on the Facebook page:
Donna Burson Mendizabal: "I agree - dog Park" Lisa Clark Horch: "Here is my free consultation. It's a FOREST, leave it alone. Put the $10K to use for something meaningful." http://www.facebook.com/StratfordPatch

RMK October 11, 2012 at 12:59 am

8:59 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Why not replace the trees along the roadways in neighborhoods instead? Forests die out and replenish naturally, but the planting strips along main streets in town are suffering major losses due to having planted the wrong trees in the planting strips under the wires. Replacing those trees with appropriate breeds to green up the now-ugly roadways is due. Didn't the PWD get money for that??

Chris Stevens October 11, 2012 at 02:03 am

I agree, the forest really needs a facelift, some minor updating wouldn't hurt.....tear down the old ranger station, spruce up the campsites and open them to town residents-I believe there only open to the scouts? Let's advertise the forest too, the majority of residents know nothing about it.......

Jason Bagley (Editor) October 11, 2012 at 03:21 pm

Another comment left on the Stratford Patch Facebook page:
Carol Hughes: "In my opinion the trails just need to be blazed a bit better and the old house (shack) should be torn town . It appears to be in bad shape." http://www.facebook.com/StratfordPatch

Mike October 11, 2012 at 05:15 pm

Who paid to manage forrests before man walked on the earth? Following that logic, there should be no forrests left.

David Durgy October 12, 2012 at 12:08 am

Mike, do you ask who managed oil production before man walked the earth? We have more forestation now than we did in colonial times when everything was cleared for crops. That is not entirely by accident. Before man the existing species and mother nature managed the forests. Should we just ignore that and pretend we've done nothing to change those life cycles and mock those that see and are trying to maintain a semblance of how we are just participants and not in charge of the planet?

Shirley B. Backus October 12, 2012 at 03:52 am

What?!?! What makes David Durgy think we have more forestation now than in colonial times? It's not so. More than 70% of our land has been developed, and we're losing more and more every day. We may not be clearing as much land for crops, but we're paving roads and parking lots. We're building more houses and office parks and buildings of every kind. We're moving into new buildings and leaving the old ones behind to rot. We're contaminating what little open space is left with trash and pollution. Open space provides us with oxygen and filters carbon dioxide and pollutants from our air. We keep restricting emissions, yet carbon dioxide and pollution levels continue to rise while oxygen levels continue to drop. The reason for global warming is isn't because of our emissions, but because of over-development. We need to protect, preserve and expand our open spaces. When property along Roosevelt Forest is up for sale, we should consider tearing down houses, pulling up pavement, and adding it to the forest, gradually increasing the size and beauty of this rare and beautiful place. We need the oxygen. We need the filtration. And we need the cooling of the Earth's surface that can only be accomplished by expanding open space.

Rose B October 12, 2012 at 05:00 am

Durgy is right. Before oil heat, people who lived on this land cut trees for fire wood - and they cut A LOT of trees during those years. They cleared huge swaths of land of trees. Take a look at forests like Roosevelt and you'll likely see mostly new growth, not old.