Ihave been using the trails at Charleston Springs Golf Course Access Trail for more than two years. I use the trails on the average of three to five times a week to walk my dogs. I was very happy to see my tax dollars being used in my own town for something available for my use. It has been very pleasurable to be out in the woods and the meadows, watching the seasons change and getting fresh air.

Two days ago I was shocked when I returned to the park after being away one week on vacation. Who made the decision to mow down the entire meadow? I was devastated as I surveyed the damage.

I called the park manager. He was nice and spoke to me about my concern. He said that there is a shortage of manpower and equipment in the spring to be able to cut everything. Although this sounds logical to me, I still question the decision that decimated an entire habitat. Why not cut half now, the other half in the spring or the year after?

I know meadow habitat is important. I have been watching it for two years. All the milkweed and developing Monarch butterflies have been killed. There were very few butterflies this year and they were late, but they had a chance because there was so much milkweed. The milkweed won't have much of an opportunity to come back quickly as the seedpods were green and immature when they were cut.

All the mullein (verbascum thapus) was cut. They offered a nice contrast with their tallreaching spires of flower and seed. What will all the bluebirds eat when they start flocking in before they migrate? It was so amazing to watch bluebirds all over the meadow. Will they bother returning next year?

Where do the foxes go? Today I saw a kit cowering in the field when it saw us. No cover left for the doe, turkey, fox and the rest of the animals that are field dwellers. It is a real shame and a huge conservation error.

And since I am taking this time to write, I would like to voice my displeasure in how long the hunting season was in 2008- 09. I walked in the park anyway, in my big orange vest, but I am sure many people were not able to enjoy the park those five to six months when hunters perched in trees ready to shoot.

So, OK, I know hunting is necessary and there are many farms and private lands that are hunted. And, OK, maybe a month in the park is understandable. But because the golf course and high-priced landscaping where the deer once roamed is being eaten, the deer are killed in the park? Do you close the golf course and let them hunt there too? I haven't seen that yet.

To me, the parks are our hold on the last bits of wilderness in our very crowded state that is rapidly developing. Shouldn't the animals be taken care of better? Shouldn't people be able to use it year round?

I hope in the future as I continue to use the park in Millstone, I see it better managed. I would like to be able to support the Monmouth County Park System as a conscientious and aware organization that takes all of Monmouth County's citizens' needs under consideration and the animals that need a place to belong.
Penny J. Restine
Millstone