Project for Nuclear Awareness is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Philadelphia whose mission is to create the conditions for worldwide, complete nuclear disarmament through sophisticated educational programs. Their latest campaign was working with organizations and the general public to petition against the building of a nuclear weapons plant on an earthquake fault line in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Edward A. Aguilar, program director of the Project for Nuclear Awareness, said ” [We] and other citizen groups have filed public objections to the proposed Los Alamos plutonium-nuclear-weapons-core production facility, as a great risk to the lives and health of the residents of New Mexico and the US in case of fire, accident, or earthquake.  This summer, while these issues were pending, there were large out-of-control wildfires in New Mexico, in the area around Los Alamos.  Luckily, the labs themselves were not burned.  Fire is not a good thing around six tons of plutonium, the amount now stored at the labs, to say the least….” Hopefully, change is in the wind. Stop building new nukes, disarm old ones, and move on to sustainable energy for a start to a new world.

To find out more about Project for Nuclear Awareness, please visit www.projectfornuclearawareness.org  

My Star Trek infused mind immediately jumps to the idea of teleportation. No need to pack, no waste to incur. Of course that’s not going to happen any time soon, so here are  a few tips on improvising with the resources you already have (and save money by doing so!):

• ask for boxes from your office, family, friends, neighbors, local stores. Most of the time, these boxes will be broken down and sent to the curb. Why not reuse them for your move? Since I’m terrified of bugs, I usually put in a sachet of dried lavender in boxes that will contain fabric materials. Friends have told me that bugs, especially bed bugs, hate lavender.
• utilize your laundry bags, tote bags, and suitcases as replacements for boxes. I would spray these with rubbing alcohol, which will kill bed bugs and their eggs. Then, I would put in a sachet of dried lavender. Paranoid much? Yes, yes I am.
• use your clothes to wrap fragile things instead of bubble wrap.
• use crumpled up newspapers and magazine pages instead of styrofoam packing peanuts
• never underestimate the power of the twine. Packing tape can rip or come undone during the move. Twine, when tied securely, will hold a box or bag firmly even if it gets thrown out of the truck. Try to look for twine made from recycled materials.

After you have finished unpacking, recycle your boxes, newspapers, magazine pages; donate clothes that you used to wrap your things but won’t necessarily wear again; and reuse the twine to hang pictures, decorations, and all your tying needs.

May you and the earth live long and prosper.

When asked how he and his peers have become so involved with their community’s well being, he attributes his activism to his education and the leadership of the Dalai Lama, who is his teacher. His school teaches what he calls “modern courses,” like mathematics, science, literature, etc. However, his school also teaches Tibetan history and culture, instilling patriotism and pride for his identity. His story has enlightened me in what it means to be a steward to our fellow peers. If children are the future, then they need to learn about their environment, heritage, and identity in order to create a sense of pride and stewardship for their community and their community’s future. At the same time, they need to see leaders solving environmental and community issues for them to be aware of the place that they live in and to care enough to protect their home. Trichen is diligently learning about the world and his heritage in order to protect the Tibetian culture for generations. Perhaps we can learn from him. We all need to learn of our environment, our only home (Earth), our place and purpose, in order to protect the Earth for generations.

To find out more about the documentary, Trichen, and BYkids, visit BYkid’s website

Nathan's Famous

After waiting for half-an-hour for our hot dogs, we wiggled through the crowd to get a seat at a table. The meal was devoured in minutes. I can’t tell the difference between hot dog brands, so I can’t really say if these were superb hot dogs that are worth $3.25 each. But, it was all part of the Coney Island Experience.

Luna Park

We ventured to Luna Park, passing the grand entrance on Surf Ave. that was built to look like the original 1903 Luna Park’s entrance. There were kids pulling their parents to the next fun ride or carnival game, adults seeking shade behind ticket booths, and big kids (my friends and I) having a difficult time deciding what to do. We ended up going to Spook-A-Rama in Deno’s Amusement Park (next to Luna Park but owned by a different company), which wasn’t spooky at all. However, it did provide much needed shade for me. A friend and I hopped on the Thunderbolt with other kids. We sat and “relaxed” as our cart was spun in circles at around 60 miles per hour. Not only that, our cart swung while being spun, which upped the thrill factor by a few notches. When the ride slowed down, I thought, “well, that was nice” and prepared to leave. But the music kept on playing and then I felt my vehicle going backwards. Being spun around backwards was the second part of the ride, and I felt that the operator was being too generous with his visitors. After feeling the hot dog rise in my throat and the vehicle not slowing down, I began to send a telepathic message to the operator, “stop the ride or else I’m gonna puke!” Unfortunately, I do not have telepathic abilities and I had to endure the rest of the ride. Luckily, my hot dog stayed down.

Wonder Wheel in Deno's Amusement Park

At the seal show

Having exhausted ourselves in the amusement park and arcade, we opted for an educational experience at the New York Aquarium. Although the place is small, it offered the right amount of educational dosage for a neighborhood known for its carnivals, beach, and food. We saw a performance by Osborne, a California Sea Lion; visited the Alien Stingers exhibit; and greeted a walrus. The highlight of my experience was holding a horseshoe crab. The “out-of-this-world” looking creature graciously curled upside-down in my palms as I was mesmerized by its five pairs of legs, the rhythmic movement of its gills, and the pointy tail that I made sure to keep my face away from. The staff at the exhibit told me to tickle a particular muscle on its back, which made the creature unfurl in my hands. The staff member (who is a high-school student on an internship at the Aquarium) was knowledgeable about the horseshoe crab and kindly answered by questions. My concern was that if I held the crab for too long, it may decide to relieve itself. The staff member said that I’ll know when it relieves itself because a pinkish stream can be seen. Shortly after having my questions answered, I returned the gentle crab to the pool.

Horseshoe crab's underside

Sitting on the subway train, heading for home, I thought about Coney Island’s history and how it had survived and thrived to this day. Without its faithful patrons, the hard work of the neighborhood’s headliners (Luna Park, Deno’s Amusment Park, New York Aquarium), and other organizations (Coney Island History Project and Coney Island, USA), the neighborhood might have gone to shambles. After my Coney Island experience today, I felt honored to have taken a small part in preserving the neighborhood and its idiosyncrasies through my food and ticket purchases. Coney Island is a gem in Brooklyn that should always have a place in Brooklynites’ hearts.

Image Credit: Kevin Krejci

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been swirling around for years (http://bit.ly/ayuRCQ). When I first learned about it and the effects it had on marine life as well as the birds that live on Midway Atoll, I became aware of the amount of garbage that I put out each day. I became better at recycling, reducing the amount of daily trash I create, and buying products with little or no packaging. Then I heard about the garbage patch in the Atlantic Ocean (http://bit.ly/chY1Hd)  Obviously, I haven’t been doing a good job as an environmentally-conscious consumer. I don’t think it’s feasible to scoop out all of the garbage in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, especially when industries and individuals dump trash in the waters (whether intentional or not, tons of garbage make its way to the oceans). The most effective way to stop ocean pollution is to stop (or at least reduce) land pollution. I encourage everyone to use less plastic, to recycle, to be aware of where his or her trash is going to end up. But to make a significant headway in the protection of our environment, consumers need to encourage industries to be wiser with their production line and to reduce the amount of trash generated. Policies in favor of ocean conservation and environmental protection need to be enacted.

Oceana is an international science-based organization that focuses on ocean conservation. Their works include the promotion of sustainable fishing, preventing illegal oil dumping, reducing mercury pollution, saving dolphins and other sea creatures (http://na.oceana.org/). From what I could tell, they are doing a fine job so far, but there’s so much more to be done. I believe that the oceans have reached their tipping point, and it is crucial for people to take responsibility in cleaning up the big blue. The oceans can provide food, energy, and drinking water (with the use of desalinization technology  http://bit.ly/cKhyzM). If we were to run out of fertile land to grow our food, run out of accessible freshwater to drink and water our plants, it is comforting to know that we can always turn to the oceans for sustenance.  If I’m going to live off of my own filth, much like a goldfish in a bowl, I would like the bowl to be as clean as possible.

Hardly a runner or in perfect shape, my calves began to burn a quarter of a mile into the run/walk-a-thon: “Walk for Water, Walk for Life.” The funds raised during the event benefits the people of the Keiyo Valley in Kenya, specifically to provide safe drinking water to the community. With the Schuylkill River running along side me, providing the much needed cool breeze, my thoughts began to wander. I’d like to think that I’m a positive person, but on occasions, negative thoughts would creep in. Like during the walk, I asked myself: “why am I doing this? I’m unemployed, my savings account is depleted, and yet I paid for the roundtrip bus fare from New York City to Philadelphia, plus the registration fee, just so I can walk? If I wanted to walk, I could have gone to Prospect Park and be $50 richer.” Then I remembered what one of the singers during the pre-walk event asked: “who thinks they live a blessed life?” I was one of the fifty people that raised a hand. Even if I am living in a NYC studio with my husband struggling to keep a roof over our heads, I am living a blessed life. I am grateful for having clean drinking water everyday; always having a full stomach before going to bed; being able to fully use my legs, arms, eyes, and ears; being surrounded by wonderful friends and family. I am in a much better position than the 884 million people that are in need of clean drinking water sources (http://unstats.un.org/unsd/mdg/Default.aspx). Therefore, I have nothing to whine about and everything to be grateful for. So, I press forward with my friends and colleagues to complete the walk with nothing but good thoughts in my head.

As I crossed the finish line, in the not-so-impressive 207^th position, a huge smile appeared on my face. Not only did I complete the walk, it felt great to know that I was part of a positive change in the world (a very small change, but a change nevertheless).  Although I do not know and have never met the majority of the people that put their heart, sweat, and money into the event, I am thankful to have walked with them. To my sponsors, thank you for your generosity and moral support. To those in the Keiyo Valley, I send you my hopes and wishes that your lives will be improved by the fruitfulness of the walk-a-thon. To the 884 million people, I send you my prayers and the knowledge that you are not forgotten.

The pipeline to be used as part of the water project in Keiyo Valley.

Waiting for the Run/Walk to begin.

Stan Laskowski (President of Philadelphia Global Water Initiative) and me. Art Museum in the background.

Walking

Running back

Running back

Taking a break and viewing the Philly skyline.

Finishing the race/walk

Thinking of our Sri Lankan friend

The band playing at the Walk

Names and positions of those that completed the run/race.

I came in 207th place.

Me and Melinda with the signed water pipes.

Updates on the results of the walk are on the KSM website: http://www.ksmministries.com/

Welcome to Prospect Park, where nature is mixed with the attitudes of Brooklynites.

It’s a sunny and breezy afternoon in March. The trees are bare and the deep green lake glistens and ripples every time the wind glides across it. A struggling white kite tries to ride on the breeze. Sadly, it plummets to the ground. Two young sisters are doing their best to help it take flight. After exploring the many methods of kite flying, there is a loud cheer from the girls and their parents. For three seconds, the kite rises about five feet above the ground and flew with all its might.

My eyes catch a sparkling fine line that was thrown into a lake. A man with a bright red backpack had just thrown a fishing line in the water. This strikes me as odd since I never knew that there were fish in the lake. Besides, what kind of fish could there possibly be — a yellow three-eyed fish called Blinky? What is even more bizarre is that he keeps throwing the line and reeling it in, as if he’s just having fun just being able to throw the fishing line into the lake. It wasn’t until I meet Allen that I realized how ignorant I am when it comes to fishing.

Allen is a sixty-year old, six-foot-three, long-time fisherman in Prospect Park. He is appropriately dressed with a dirty, tanned rimmed hat, green poncho, dark brown work boots, and a big fanny pack around his waist.

Timidly, I approach him and ask, “What kind of fish are you fishing for?”

He smiles, probably at my naive question, and kindly replies, “There’s different kinds in here. There’s carp, cod, bass, yellow perch.” I probably looked very confused because he reached into his pack and pulled out a digital camera. He showed me a yellow perch lined up against a pocketknife.

The topic of fishing in a city lake sparks a surge of curiosity in me. I blurt out, “So how come you’re just throwing the line in and reeling it back right away? I thought you were supposed to let it sink for a while till you get a bite.”

I think I hear a chuckle from him before he says,  “I’m fly fishing.” Unable to stop my child-like curiosity, I ask, “What’s fly fishing?” He patiently shows me the rod and flies that he was using to illustrate that fly fishing’s lure is different from the bait used in  regular fishing.

Allen throws his line in and tries to reel it out. To my untrained eye, I think that he has caught a big fish and a tug-of-war has begun. Allen side-steps toward the left, then right, tugging on his line.

“I sure hope I don’t have to cut it.”

Still uncertain as to what he is talking about, I stare into the dark water where the line disappears below the murky surface. What is it that the line has a snag on? Is it a boot? A tire? After several tugs and reeling of the line, the mystery is uncovered. It wasn’t anything exciting. Just a web of tree branches.  By this time, Allen is several feet away from me, so I take the opportunity to turn my attention elsewhere.

Excitement appears instantly.

A six-year old boy with golden locks runs toward the drooping tree a few feet away from me. Its branches cascade towards the ground, just skimming it. A part in the waterfall of branches allows the boy to run straight to its trunk. His parents slowly follow him. Without any exchange of words, the father lifts the boy to the lowest branch. Automatically, the child begins to clamber up, testing out his footings on the knots of the tree. For what I think is poor parenting, both parents walk away from the tree! The father says to his wife, “Look at our monkey son.”

She, however, takes out her Blackberry from her pocket. From the top of the tree, the child yells, “Mom, look at me! But, I don’t know how to get down.”

She replies, without looking at him, “That’s okay. We’ll just leave you here.”

The father walks towards the bottom of the tree and tells his son, “Remember to have sturdy foot and grip.” With a big leap, the boy lands perfectly on the ground with a big smile across his face. He races toward his mother.

“Did you see that?”

With a sudden drop of excitement, he says, “Oh, you’re busy. You’re on your Blackberry again.”

The mother smiles, put her device away, and says, “I’m done. Let’s see you climb again.”

Within half an hour of walking around Prospect Park, I found much entertainment. This was better than watching re-runs of The Simpsons. Who knew that there are fish in the lake with experienced fishermen who frequent it. Who knew that city kids climbed trees.

Battlefield preservation is important to the nation and local communities. They are mechanisms in providing a sustainable local community. They serve as educational resources for all the children learning about the Civil War. Battlefields are also open spaces that local residents can enjoy, increasing their quality of life. Local communities can also economically benefit from the preserved land:

1. As an income generator, a battlefield attracts direct infusions of wealth from tourism and the park’s management expenditures, both of which create jobs in the community. Additional economic benefits flow from sales tax revenue on visitors’ purchases.

2. As historic open space, a battlefield adds economic value to adjacent properties and enhances a community’s quality of life by protecting its natural resources, environmental qualities, and visual amenities.

3. As a fiscal asset. A battlefield requires few capital expenditures and services by the community unless it is owned and supported by the community. (Kennedy 2)

Both Antietam and Manassas have benefited from preserving their battlefields. The City of Manassas has seen more influx of businesses and residents. Abandoned shops and lots in the downtown area have been revitalized, thanks to the increasing public’s interest in the area.

The preservation of these sites did not come easily. Preserving these lands are still ongoing. Antietam National Battlefield Park was established in 1890 (Kennedy 22). Only a few acres and some roads were protected. These were used to teach military tactics. The rest of the actual battlefield and surrounding farms were left unprotected. Up until the late twentieth century, one can walk around the Antietam site and see the same vistas that the Confederate and Union soldiers saw. Part of the reason was because the park’s boundaries were expanded to include 3250 acres of the 8000-acre battlefield (Benfield 139). The 4000 unprotected acres, however, were increasingly threatened by urban sprawl from nearby Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Development can be seen in Sharpsburg, which is only a few miles from Antietam National Battlefield Park. In order to contain future developments in towns, local residents, county and state officials collaborated to help save battlefield lands.

Help to put lands on conservation easements came in different forms. In 1991, Congress established the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), which required part of Maryland’s funding to go to historic preservation (Benfield 140). The state also dedicated some funding from Program Open Space. By 1994, the state had put 2500 acres of farmland around the Antietam battlefield under preservation (Kennedy 23). Local organizations also played a key role in preserving the historical land. Save Historic Antietam Foundation was able to preserve the Grove Farm, which housed Union soldiers and where President Abraham Lincoln visited. Clemens, then president of Save Historic Antietam Foundation’s board of directors commented, “the purchase of the Grove Farm property in 1991 put us on the preservation map. Putting our necks out without surety of the money to cover it got attention” (Campbell-Shoaf 74). The organization also worked closely with Antietam National Battlefield Park in donating the money they raised for the restoration of some historical buildings in the park. Other key players in the area’s land preservation endeavors included The Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Civil War Trust, and the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites. The preservation of Antietam Battlefield showed how successful private-public partnerships could be.

Washington County’s comprehensive plan also led to the continual protection of Antietam Battlefield from development. According to the 2002 Comprehensive Plan, the areas surrounding the battlefield are for rural residential use, and are zoned at one unit per thirty acres (270). On the Land Use Plan map of Washington County’s Planning Department, released in 2005, one can see that the areas surrounding Antietam is designated as a preservation area, environmental conservation area, agricultural area, and low-density residential area.

Land Use Plan. Map. Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan: Washington County, MD, 2005.

Washington County also recognized the importance of having a Civil War heritage in its community. The residents and government officials acknowledged that they could profit from local and outside interests in Civil War history. Therefore, the Comprehensive Plan included a Special Programs Area where certain sites and routes were designated as important for the county’s tourism industry. It was their aim to have these sites and routes preserved and made accessible to those who live or visit the county.

Special Programs Areas. Map. Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan: Washington County, MD, 2005.

Although the Comprehensive Plan helped in preserving the rural characteristic of the Antietam Battlefield, much work is needed to reinforce the plan. According to the Agricultural Preservation map, land around Antietam National Battlefield Park had been put under conservation easements. However, this may not be enough to preserve the rural vistas of the area. Continual efforts on both the government and local sides are working to put more lands under protection from development.

Agricultural Preservation in Washington County, Maryland. Map. Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan: Washington County, MD, 2005.

While the residents of Antietam were able to benefit from the early establishment of Antietam National Battlefield Park, and foresaw urban sprawl in their area, prompting immediate action in land preservation, it was a different story for Manassas, Virginia. Manassas National Battlefield Park was not established until 1940. The delay in establishing the national park was caused by the lack of campaign by local residents, Civil War veterans, and government officials. Congressional support was weak perhaps because Manassas represented two victories by the Confederates (Zenzen 1). By late twentieth century, the area came under great development pressure. Local residents were caught by surprise, making land preservation efforts a Herculean task.

In 1988, a 1.2 million-square foot mall with five major department stores, was proposed for a 542-acre site near Manassas National Battlefield Park, which included General Robert E. Lee’s headquarters during the Second Battle of Manassas. (Gallagher 10). Government officials felt that this would bring an economic boost to the area. When local residents and the National Park Service caught wind of this, it seemed too late. The area had been rezoned to allow such development and the developer already had construction cranes on site. Thus began the “Third Battle of Manassas.” Annie Snyder, co-founder of the Save the Battlefield Committee, rallied up volunteers to shed light on the situation to the whole nation. The organization

put together packets of information about the mall and the battlefield park and sent them to newspapers, concerned citizens, and interested organization nationwide…[Snyder] gathered together volunteers who opposed the mall and put them to work stuffing envelopes and circulating petitions. From the petitions, she gained a larger pool of volunteers, who stuffed more envelopes, wrote letters, and held fundraisers. (Zenzen 137)

Victory came to the residents of Prince William County when Congress bought the land for $120 million (Gallagher 11). A few years before the controversy, the land had an appraisal value of $2 million (Moe 27). The 542-acre site was added to Manassas National Battlefield Park. However, it left citizens wondering if the purchase was worth it.

In 1993, Disney announced its plans for Disney’s America theme park in Haymarket, Virginia; a few miles form Manassas National Battlefield Park. Disney executives had been working in secrecy in finding the perfect location for this new theme park. When they saw a 2300-acre site in rural western Prince William County, added with its proximity to Washington, D.C. with an annual estimate of 19 million tourists, and Route 66 corridor, which connects to the metropolitan area, Disney deemed Haymarket as a very attractive site (Zenzen 167). Prince William County officials received Disney’s proposal with open arms, believing that the theme park would bring the much needed money and growth into the county. When the plans were announced to the public, the “Fourth Battle of Manassas” came into being.

Land preservation activities were present since the “Third Battle of Manassas.” However, these efforts were not enough to discourage Disney Company from creating a theme park in rural Virginia. Disney’s proposal and the government’s approval left grassroots organizations scrambling for help. Snyder stepped in once again to thwart off the proposal. Preservationists saw that the theme park would only bring destruction to the open land:

Visions of clogged roadways and a snarled interstate appeared in [the public’s] minds as they heard Disney predict an estimated 30,000 visitors daily (6.3 million annually) to the theme park. Along with the traffic, opponents believed the region’s already polluted air would get worse with the increased tourist traffic. And, once Disney settled into Haymarket, accompanying developments on the surrounding lands seemed a sure bet. (Zenzen 171)

The controversy drew nation-wide attention. In the end, nearly a year later, Disney withdrew the project. They concluded that the controversy had hurt the company’s public image and that they have already spent too much money fighting back. This served as an important lesson to Prince William County’s government officials. As stated by Mike Hoover, then president of Prince William County/Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce, “You have to build regional support. When you back people into a corner, they come out fighting” (qtd. in Moe 34).

Unlike Antietam Battlefield, where the state provided continual funding for land preservation around the historical area, Manassas lacked such funding. Prince William County’s Comprehensive Plan aimed to protect the surrounding areas of Manassas National Battlefield Park; however, it might be too late. The towns of Haymarket and the City of Manassas have already encroached on some farmlands and the Manassas Battlefield. Development of the City of Manassas has pushed up right against the southern border of Manassas National Battlefield Park. This made it harder for grassroots organizations to put lands on conservation easements. Nevertheless, the county was zoned so that the immediate undeveloped lands around the battlefield remained agricultural. It is disheartening, however, that some areas south of the battlefield have been zoned for industrial use, connecting Haymarket and the City of Manassas together. In the agricultural zones, there are patches for dense residential areas. These patches are close together enough to potentially form a residential corridor. Farmers whose lands are between these residential areas may be tempted to sell to developers. If this happens, then Manassas National Battlefield Park and the few farms immediately surrounding it will be enclosed by development.

Prince William County Zoning Classification Map. Map. Prince William County Planning Office, 2008.

Another issue that Manassas National Battlefield Park has to contend with that Antietam National Battlefield Park doesn’t, is traffic. Perhaps some have already dubbed this issue as the “Fifth Battle of Manassas.” Routes 29 and 234 cuts the park into quadrants. At the intersection is the Stone House, the former field hospital during the Civil War (Zenzen 66).

Stone House. Picture. National Park Service. 2008.

Manassas Park Map. Map. National Park Service, 2008.

Many commuters during rush hour get to have a good long look at the historical building because of traffic backed up for miles at the intersection. Talks of widening the two-lane roads angered some preservationists and even the park’s employees. For Superintendent Robert Sutton, he argued that “for decades former superintendents had opposed expanding the historic road crossing. Doing so may result in increased traffic” (Hodge 74). A solution was to create a bypass. A definite plan was supposed to be established by 2004. However, in 2005, the transportation department was still revising their bypass plans. It seems that residents will have to deal with the traffic for a while longer.

Manassas National Battlefield Park Bypass Study. 6 July 2005. Prince William County Transportation Division.

Manassas National Battlefield Park’s goal is to restore the land to the way it was when the battles were fought. In fall 2007, 140 acres of trees were clear-cut in the northwestern part of the park. Park officials stated that the trees had to be removed in order to re-create the historic battlefield. Nature lovers were enraged by this act. The trees were of “basic oak-hickory forest type, which is limited to a six-county area in Northern Virginia and Maryland, globally uncommon to rare” (Mack B01). In restoring the park, there is a “conflict between managing natural and historic resources”(Mack B01). Residents believe that the field should be preserved, that the Park Service should hold on to its land. However, cutting down trees simply to maintain views are not so important. A battlefield with trees can still tell a story of what happened in the past.

Antietam seems to be more sustainable than Manassas. Antietam has a solid zoning ordinance that supports land preservation. There is still a lot of undeveloped land left and there is a strong push by the state and local organizations to protect them. Local residents can enjoy the vast open space in their county. Money generated from the tourism industry stays within the county, improving nearby towns’ economy. At the same time, unique fauna and flora in the battlefield are protected. Manassas, on the other hand, is mostly surrounded by development. The preservation of Manassas Battlefield was beneficial to the county. However, if the traffic issue is not addressed immediately, it could be detrimental. The area will see an increase in pollution, which can affect the historical structures in the park. More money may then be spent on the maintenance of the structures. Not only that, the traffic may also deter visitors from visiting the park. This may then lead to a lack of funding for the upkeep of the park and continual funding for land preservation surrounding the park. For bird watchers and other nature lovers, they visit the battlefield to spot unique flora and fauna. If disturbances around the area increase, the environmental impact can be great and irreversible. The battlefield may then lose its rural and historical characteristics if the animals and silence vanish and are replaced with automobiles.

Antietam was lucky to have the Antietam National Battlefield Park established soon after the Civil War, instilling patriotism in local residents. This led to stewardship in community planning, and perhaps that was how the residents were able to recognize encroaching urban sprawl and do something about it. As for Manassas battlefield, it is unfortunate that it was not recognized as an important historical site until the middle of the twentieth century. This gave the local communities little time in practicing good community planning policies. To complicate matters, government officials were not being open to the public. The mall and the theme park proposals were not announced until after government officials have already agreed to the deal. With surrounding development come pollution issues, traffic problems, and quality of life issues.

It is best if local politicians and local residents work together to preserve and maintain the remaining battlefield lands. Perhaps a more sustainable Manassas is not out of reach.

Works Cited

Agricultural Preservation in Washington County, Maryland. Map. Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan: Washington County, MD, 2005. http://www.washco-md.net/county_attorney/legal.shtm.

Benfield, Kaid, Jutka Terris, and Nancy Vorsanger. Solving Sprawl: Models of Smart Growth in Communities Across America. New York: The Natural Resources Defense Council, 2001.

Campbell-Shoaf, Heidi. “The Save Historic Antietam Foundation helps keep Antietam among the most pristing of Eastern theater battlefields.” America’s Civil War 18.6 (Jan 2006): 74.

Comprehensive Plan for the County 2002: Washington County, Maryland. 27 August 2002. Washington County Planning Commission. 18 Sept. 2008 http://www.washco-md.net/county_attorney/legal.shtm.

Gallagher, Mary Lou. “Taking a Stand on Hallowed Ground.” Planning 61.1 (Jan 1995): 10-16.

Hodge, Robert Lee. “The Struggle Continues to Protect the Plains of Manassas from Development Pressure Caused by Sprawl.” America’s Civil War 14.1 (March 2001): 74.

Kennedy, Frances, and Douglas R. Porter. Dollar$ and Sense of Battlefield Preservation. Washington, D.C.: The Preservation Press, 1994.

Land Use Plan. Map. Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan: Washington County, MD, 2005. http://www.washco-md.net/county_attorney/legal.shtm.

Mack, Kristen. “Trees Lose on Manassas Battlefield; National Park and Pr. William Officials Try to Restore Civil War-Era Views.” Washington Post 18 Aug. 2008: B1.

Manassas National Battlefield Park Bypass Study. 6 July 2005. Prince William County Transportation Division. 19 Sept. 2008. www.pwcgov.org/docLibrary/PDF/007211.pdf.

Manassas Park Map. Map. National Park Service, 2008. http://www.nps.gov/mana/planyourvisit/maps.htm.

Moe, Richard, and Carter Wilkie. Changing Places: Rebuilding Community in the Age of Sprawl. New York: Henry Holt and Company, Inc., 1997.

Prince William County Zoning Classification Map. Map. Prince William County Planning Office, 2008. http://www.pwcgov.org/default.aspx?topic=040073001420000939.

Rambur, Richard. “Compromise at Antietam.” National Parks 64.1 (Jan/Feb 1990): 16-17.

“Revitalization Program in Manassas.” Online Posting. 9 July 2003. National Trust for Historic Preservation. 18 Sept. 2008. http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/case-studies/gamsa/revitalization-program-in-manassas.html.

Special Programs Areas. Map. Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan: Washington County, MD, 2005. http://www.washco-md.net/county_attorney/legal.shtm.

Stone House. Picture. National Park Service. 2008. http://www.nps.gov/parkoftheweek/mana.htm.

Zenzen, Joan M. Battling for Manassas: The Fifty-Year Preservation Struggle at Manassas National Battlefield Park. University Park: The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1998.

Footsteps were everywhere. Some were quick in pace, as if late for an important meeting. Others were slow or even dragging, probably belonging to a student who stayed in the library all night and just returning home. Joggers passed by with perfectly synchronized steps. Occasionally, there would be the distinct sound of someone breaking into his or her new shoes, which squeaked with every step. Then, pointy wooden heels pierced the ground, resonating with importance and commanding attention. It was the kind of a deep rich tone that rings in your ear even when the steps are far ahead of you. These were the beats to the composition.

The first verse belonged to the children that made a playground from the campus’ statues and sculptures. A girl, around six years old, was fascinated by the sculpture of the broken white button. She knocked on it, kicked it, stood on it, and finally, sat on it. She had a satisfied look on her face, as if she just conquered an unmarked piece of land. A boy, not much older than her, glanced at her from behind. He had a Mona-Lisa smile, well, perhaps more like a smirk. Was it attraction? Was it want of a friend? Or was it simply he’s waiting for her to get off so he could play with the sculpture? We would never know since it was the end of the first verse.

The refrain chimed in. This belonged to the lazy sparrows that perched on the hedges basking in the sun’s brightness. The sparrows looked like lint balls with their fluffed up feathers. A cool breeze brushed their soft down as they submerged themselves in their contentment. Staring into the brightness, they softly chirped to an unknown audience. Were they reciting poetry in respect for the sun? Were they chanting for spring and summer to come soon? How wonderful it would be if the listener were able to make sense of their secrets.

A church bell sounded, opening a path for the soloist.

A small, chubby, and furry grey squirrel seduced the listener with his intense stare. He had just hoisted up his treasure from a green garbage can. Immensely enjoying his piece of stale bagel, he nibbled on it while rotating the piece with his two stubby forearms. He stared at the listener, without moving his head and without blinking. It was eerie yet fascinating how this soloist was able to command the attention of the listener and those around him. It seemed that during this verse, the footsteps in the background became soft hums, the cool breezes stopped, and the chirps were silenced. With the piece of bagel devoured, the soloist came forward to the listener and offered a duet.

For a brief moment, the listener had a companion. As she turned away, soft scampering forearms and hind legs accompanied her footsteps. She stopped walking, he stopped scurrying. She looked at him, he perked up his head. The connection suddenly vanished when the soloist found a more enticing partner to share his song with – a thicket of leaves. Disappearing into the dense pile of dried out and unappetizing yellow leaves, the listener was left to be with her own thoughts, and so ends the duet.

The sparrows were still chirping quietly on the hedges. Then, silence. The sun was hidden behind a building and the disheartened creatures sat in the cold shadow of the day. The abrupt change alerted their senses. Heads turn to see what dangers approached. With their quick eyes, they became aware of the listener that was slowly approaching their territory. Like the brisk wind that weaved its way through the long thin branches of the trees, the sparrows burrowed into the hedges. Not a single chirp was heard, not a single flutter of wings existed. Thus ends the refrain and the song.

Cheeks numb, lips chapped, I briskly walked away from the silence. Perhaps on another seemingly spring-like day, the song can be played and heard again.