As the battle over the future of Riverside Park intensifies, I, along with many other New Londoners, think back to a similar battle that took place in our city more than 10 years ago - that of Fort Trumbull.

Then, as now, the conflict was between a government and the people who are governed - in both cases the question is "Who does the land belong to and at what point and for what purpose should citizens be forced into giving it up?"

I am reminded of the anguish of Red Cloud who, after his own battles to keep the government from encroaching on Lakota land and his people's way of life, said "The white man made us many promises, more than I can remember, but he only kept one. He said he'd take our land and he took it."

Is the government's belief and actions regarding who ultimately owns the land that much different today?

I think not.

The Coast Guard Academy, with a total cadet enrollment of 1,065 and staff of 618, with a 103-acre campus, 70 acres of which is designated as open space and additional vacant land on which to build, has stated that they now "need" 9.14 acres of Riverside Park. Riverside is the only park in the area commonly referred to as East New London, home to three low-income housing developments set in the midst of a historic neighborhood and nearby to the Hodges Square business district which, after years of inattention, is in the initial stages of its own revitalization.

The last time the Coast Guard expressed a "need" for additional land from the citizens of New London, they promptly built a tennis court, a chapel and the Crowne Park, complete with dancing waters and lights, on that land all of which we, the residents, can either view through a fence topped with razor wire or ask permission to enter the grounds that once belonged to us.

Why should the residents of New London sell even a portion of Riverside Park to the federal government - especially when that portion the government proposes to buy includes the entire center and most usable part of the park and leaves the residents with little more than the crust, much of which is unusable due to its topography.

In an urban setting such as New London, and, in particular, in an area of our city that is so densely populated, preserving open space and recreational areas such as Riverside Park, is not an extravagance or reckless spending; it is a necessity.

As Councilor Michael Passero said "I simply resent the academy's current proposal involving the purchase of our park by an institution that already has much finer recreational facilities than the city can even dream of, so that the institution can provide even better resources to its own community and continue to fence city residents out."

Recognizing the importance of open space and recreational areas, the City Council requested, and now has before it, a plan, entitled Riverside Nature Park and Recreational District, which was recently approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission

In addition, there is, after decades of neglect, recognition on the part of our elected officials, not only acknowledging Hodges Square as the second busiest entry point into our city, but it's unique position as a potential gathering spot for the thousands of students who attend both Connecticut College and the Coast Guard Academy.

For many people, not just those who live north of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, but throughout New London, Riverside Park is a part of their family history.

In fact, Riverside is a part of New London's history.

How many more homes and how much more land can the citizens of New London allow to be given away, taken or destroyed before we have no history, only memories of what used to be?

We, the residents, have an obligation to preserve and protect the best of New London, what is left of New London, not just for ourselves and our use, but for our children and our children's children. Vote no on Nov. 8.

Kathleen Mitchell is a community activist and organizer.

Editor's note

More than 13 months after the City Council voted 4-3 to sell half of the 18-acre Riverside Park to the Coast Guard Academy for expansion, New London voters will decide on Election Day whether to support the sale or nix it.

Even councilors who voted to sell the park land helped to circulate petitions to secure the necessary signatures to send the issue to referendum. Now New London voters will decide whether to sell 9.14 acres of the park for $2.9 million. Since the council vote in September 2010, residents have split on the issue of selling some of the

park in East New London.