By Amanda Sterland-Baratono
Anyone who thinks Cuesta Annex is a “vacant lot” should walk through it with a child.
A few months ago I trailed after my 2-year-old son as he dashed away from the playground at Cuesta Park. He careened past the tennis courts and ended up in an open field where he paused for a moment, taking in the expansive view. I had seen the open space from a distance, but had never thought to explore it. The flat land didn’t seem particularly interesting from afar. Boy was I mistaken.
My little boy was in heaven. He ran down the paths, peered into gopher holes, collected pinecones, played with sticks and met the friendliest dogs in all of Mountain View. It’s amazing how many things there are to look at, pick up and discuss on undeveloped land, as opposed to groomed lawns and immaculately kept trees. There was so much to see that we had to go back every couple of days — for months!
When the heavy rain set in, I bought waterproof suits so we could continue to explore. There is no other place within two miles from home where my son can jump in big muddy puddles and roll in long, wet uncut grass. It’s so much more fun than shallow puddles on hard concrete and short-cropped turf.
We had the great fortune to be playing at the annex on the day a large oak tree was being relocated. Trucks, trailers and digging equipment are every little boy’s dream. We watched from the tennis court bleachers in the rain till my husband and I couldn’t stand it any longer. It was a very eventful day in a little boy’s life!
The most exciting thing since has been a small mound of dirt and rocks that was left near the parking lot. Almost every day since this new discovery, we bring trucks and friends to play “construction” for hours on end. Drake now refuses to play in the sand at the playground anymore, insisting that the dirt mound is much more fun.
Since the open space has become so important to my little adventurer, I recently searched online to discover the status of the undeveloped land. I was very surprised to find that its future is in doubt, and felt sorry that I’d just missed a recent meeting at St Timothy’s to “Save Open Space.” If I’d been paying attention I would have attended the meeting and added my voice to the other 100 or so Mountain View residents.
This land doesn’t need to be built on, groomed or altered in any way. It’s a little patch of true nature in our city and should be preserved as it stands. When you are closer to the dirt, as a child is, you see many more native inhabitants and other exciting things than if you are standing on the concrete.
For the proponents of development: Take a child by the hand, a dog by the leash and spend some time getting to know nature. You’ll see us there most mornings — my son will be the wild one, covered in dirt and having the time of his life.
Amanda Sterland-Baratono lives on Muir Drive.
