Petition Calls for Cemetery Fields To Remain for Recreation

Residents concerned about losing playing field space in Amherst are looking for ways to keep Cemetery Fields for playing field space.

A Change.org petition was created called Amherst NH Cemetery Trustees: Preserve Cemetery Fields For Recreation that has already gotten 307 signatures out of their goal of 1,200.

The petition, which was started by a group called Save Cemetery Fields, asks Cemetery Trustees Marie Grella, Peter Bergin, and chair Bill Belvin to preserve the fields for recreation.

Cemetery Fields is slated to return to the trustees next year, which will end their use as recreational space.

"The Amherst Cemetery Trustees should sell the entire parcel to the town for recreation, subdivide the land and sell the current fields, playground and parking area to the town or swap the land for another parcel of land that is of equal or greater value."

Here is what some of these supporters had to say on the petition's page:

Karen Doyle: Team sports is extremely important to a child's growth and development. Our children will not have anywhere else to grow. This will affect the entire town. Who will want to bring their kids up in a town with extremely limited areas for parks and recreation?

Debra Quinlan: There has obviously been some money invested in creating these fields and they are beautiful playing surfaces. To destroy them and have to invest in the creation of new soccer/baseball fields seems such a waste. Why not take the land that is being considered for new fields and use that for the cemetery?

John Breeding: Having level playing fields like this, that can accomodate 100's of children at a time, is a great asset for investing in our kids's health and well-being.

The debate over playing field space in Amherst has landed in the Zoning Board of Adjustment's hands as residents consider using property on Stearns Road for playing field space.

Owner Brad Knight said that he wants to provide space for local athletes, but also needs to host commercial activities such as weddings to cover the cost. Supporters have applauded his efforts to fix what they see as a major issue for the town's recreation.

Opponents see declining student enrollment as a sign that Amherst doesn't need to replace Cemetery Fields, and abutters are against having increased activity in their residential area.

The ZBA will meet on Monday, April 15 in the Amherst Town Hall to deliberate their decision on Knight's property