'Knuckleheads' shouldn't ruin use of Evans field

Editor:

I have to first comment that I have been reading Barry Paschals column semi-regularly over the past year or so and I often appreciate his insights and perspective. I found myself especially interested in the recent column in which he commented about the lunatics (well chosen) in the field behind the Kroger store in Evans.

I have been visiting that very field for the last five years with my dogs, two very social German Shepherds that I train. The training includes a tracking exercise in which a scent is laid in the grass and the dogs then try to follow the scent from start to finish.

When I first started going to that field (usually early in the morning when the grass was still covered with dew), I would usually only see an occasional golfer or kite-flyer. Mutual respect ruled. The field was relatively lush and green at the time. Though I always knew it was private, it was and is virtually the only wide-open field in the area thats available for such activities (Patriots Park was always a bit of a drive).

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Now the field is a relative mess, torn up by the ATVs and motorbikes. A few months ago one of the little kids almost rode into me and one of my dogs. I complained, of course, but in a restrained manner. It was immediately obvious to me that mutual respect was not going to rule. It was a Sunday morning, and I saw a deputy over by the courthouse. You could easily guess what he told me. At the time, I thought about pursuing it further, but I reasoned, as Paschal mentioned, that the result could end up that nobody could use the field.

As often happens, it takes just a few knuckleheads to ruin something for most everyone else. I appreciate that Paschal has highlighted this situation and I hope maybe that it will lead to a sensible outcome for most. I hope also that the county will seriously look into purchasing a field such as this one, refrain from developing it and just maintain it. I think a lot of people (and dogs) would appreciate it.

Jeffery Abplanalp

Martinez