I have vivid childhood memories of running through fields, stopping to pick flowers and put them in my hair. As a young girl in rural Michigan, I explored the forest, climbing trees and following snowy tracks of small creatures. I spent large amounts of time on the edge of ponds and streams, catching frogs and tadpoles. My love for the natural world was unmatched as I believe it to be for many children who explore with large eyes and curious minds.
As I grew older, my mother placed my sister and I in classes at a local nature center. There, my sister and I had the opportunity to learn even more about the world around us, admiring bees pollinate native flowers, watching colorful birds search for food and discovering how scat is a clue to what animals might be hiding in the nearby forest.
The hands on learning I had as a youth in addition to constant exposure to nature shaped me into an explorer, a plant lover and a deeply environmentally conscious steward of the earth. When I look at the green space on Prospect Street, where the old Romeo Middle School once stood, I see a space with seemingly infinite potential for childhood learning. I believe that the location of this land downtown will make it highly accessible for all Romeo residents and inspire a future of educated, passionate, environmentally conscious youth.
As homeowners in the Village of Romeo and active young people in the community, my husband and I hope to one day have this be a place where we can bring our future kids to learn and to play, just as I did in my youth. We truly believe this space to have value beyond financial for our community and hope it can be saved for future generations to enjoy.
