BURLINGTON, Conn — An open field in Burlington is causing quite the stir in town, with some in favor of putting a lacrosse field in the space and others wanting to keep it as it is.
“This area here is so beautiful, it's nice, calm, relaxing, every day people are walking here, hiking, enjoying the view,” Eric Dreher, a resident in the area, said.
Johnnycake Mountain sits along a mountain top pass – a residential neighborhood with many small kids. The Dreher family bought their home few years ago. They were sold on the peaceful and gorgeous view from their windows.
Dreher said, “you have a community here with a lot of families with young kids".
Now, the town of Burlington is proposing to put a lacrosse field in the open space.
Dreher said, “the neighbors in this area are concerned with having this field in place and wonder if it is really meant to be here."
The vast field is home to many different species of wildlife, including butterflies, bees, owls, hawks, deer, foxes and many more, according to the Johnnycake Mountain Advisory Board.
When researching the land, the advisory board let the town and residents weigh in on the prospect for the land. Residents voted in 2017 and 2021, with a majority of residents saying that they want to keep it full of nature and walking trails.
The town of Burlington bought the land where Johnnycake Mountain Park sits in 2016 after the decision was put to a referendum vote, and it passed 805 to 526.
A year later in 2017, the Johnnycake Mountain Advisory Committee put together a poll to see what residents wanted. 65% of residents voted for hiking trails. That is what currently occupies the space. Only 42% voted for lacrosse and soccer fields.
They voted again in 2021, with 57% voting in favor of the open fields and just 37% voting for lacrosse fields.
“It’s just a shame a lacrosse field is going right in the middle of it,” Dreher said of the park.
Neighbors agreed, saying they love where they live, and they don’t want it to lose its charm.
There are multiple fields in town where young lacrosse players currently practice and play. But not everyone is opposed to the option of the lacrosse fields.
Justin Cascio, a local runner, said, "it would be nice to have a couple of other things here too."
The topic will be taken up Thursday night at the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing.
Alexa Farrell is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at AFarrell@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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