Small Town Values Mean Big Responsibility To Our Children

To the editor: I am a grandmother of three young girls growing up on this island, and I love that part of my family chose to move here, a decision that brought me here as well. I raised my family in a small town in Ohio, and in many ways it echoes what I see in Nantucket today, which is a great thing.

From what I can tell, Nantucket draws families because of its strong sense of community, its commitment to historic authenticity, and a way of life that feels simpler, less hurried, and more grounded. That spirit shapes our children and grandchildren in meaningful ways, and it is something truly worth protecting.

But to protect something, you must also invest in it. And the most important investment to make is in the island’s children. They are our most valuable asset.

Nantucket can honor tradition and preserve everything that makes this island special, but that does not mean turning our backs on progress when it comes to the health and safety of our children.

We would never reject medical advances simply because “we have always done it this way.” We would never deny our children modern educational tools or teaching methods because chalkboards once worked just fine. In the same way, we should not ignore advances in athletic field construction that are designed to protect growing bodies and allow children to play, learn teamwork, and stay active safely.

What I have learned from the school committee meetings on this subject is that well-designed, scientifically tested turf fields and modern support infrastructure have been studied extensively for their negligible environmental impact and are used successfully in communities across the country. These innovations are designed to reduce injuries, increase access, and ensure that children have safe and environmentally conscious places to play and compete.

As a grandmother, I want my grandchildren, and all island children, to grow up healthy, active, and protected. I hope we can open our minds and hearts to the substantial body of scientific data supporting the environmental safety of these modern athletic facilities and consider how they can serve our children now and for generations to come.

Preserving the character of the island and protecting the well being of children are not competing values. We can, and should, do both.

Judy Varty