The wonderful, historic Village Green, laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park in New York, is again under assault.

First the Pinehurst Village Council suggested that the "green" should be enhanced with a bandstand and other amenities.

Then we heard criticism of the sand parking lot and its inadequacies. Now The Village Chapel and Given Library/Tufts Archives, both located on the Village Green, want to expand.

The chapel wants to build an addition on the side of its current facility, and the Given Library/Tufts Archives wishes to expand its lot boundaries and enlarge its building. While each of these entities has justifiable reasons for wishing to grow, their plans would be a further encroachment on the Village Green.

In short, the visually restful and restorative Village Green could disappear, replaced by a need for wider roads and more parking. With all of this, our historic designation from the National Park Service is now in jeopardy because the Village Council and manager decided not to include the Park Service in the planning and consult with them on these proposed changes.

One Pinehurst congregation, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, did the right thing when it outgrew its church behind the hotel. The congregation purchased a lot on the edge of Pinehurst and built a whole new facility. That was certainly an appropriate solution.

As for the Given Library/Tufts Archives, perhaps the town needs to build a new library with funds acquired from the annexation of Pinewild Country Club and locate it near the town hall.

The Tufts Archives could take over the existing library building. There are options, but no one seems to want to consider them.

It is time to consider, reflect and make different decisions. Our historic designation is important!

Hope and Bill Wendt

Pinehurst