This letter is in response to the February third article on the College Creek restoration (sic) project. I would like to correct some factual errors in this article.

First, this is not a “restoration.” A “restoration” would be to restore something to its original state, for example, to turn the huge lawns on campus back into their original prairie. The College Creek project is turning a perfectly normal, natural creek into a gravel-lined ditch with paved banks. How is this restoration? This is destruction.

Second, landscape architect Rick Fox stated in the article that one goal of the project was to save the trees around the creek, some of which were in danger of falling in. To accomplish this goal, he is cutting down the trees that are growing near the creek, as well as many surrounding trees. Excuse me, but how does this save trees? It seems that Mr. Fox himself is a worse danger to trees than the creek is.

Mr. Fox also makes another great error, which I quote here: “We have also widened the path from Lincoln Way to the pedestrian bridge from 6 to 8 feet and would like to extend the path all the way to [the Forker Building], so people can walk along the stream and enjoy it.” I would like to inform Mr. Fox that people can enjoy a stream even if it DOESN’T have 8 feet of concrete next to it. In fact, the most beautiful places in the world tend not to be covered in concrete.

I am perfectly capable of enjoying the stream already. In fact, I often do. It’s easy; I just walk up to the stream and look at it. Mr. Fox should try it some time. I do not require an 8-foot wide concrete path, as I am not 8 feet wide. As I have never met Mr. Fox, I don’t know if he is 8 feet wide, but this might explain his insistence on installing this huge expanse of concrete in one of the few places of natural beauty on campus. Either that, or he owns a concrete company on the side.

Mr. Fox, please stop this misguided “restoration.” It is a waste of money, and it’s making the campus much uglier. If it is necessary to control the creek to prevent it from eroding buildings’ foundations, there are less destructive ways to do this.

President Jischke, you have the power to stop this project. Exercise that power.

And everyone who cares about beauty or nature, or just doesn’t want to see their tuition dollars wasted, make your feelings known to these two men, so they will have even more reason to stop this project.

Melissa A Kacalanos

Graduate student

Genetics