WELLESLEY – Sledding has returned to a popular hill in Wellesley, Massachusetts after a horticultural group complained that the winter activity was damaging spring flowers.
Fence broken down
When snow falls on the ground, sleds have been going up the hill at Elm Bank in Wellesley for decades. Just this year, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society fenced the hill to prevent people from sledding on it. Groups of dissatisfied neighbors tore down the fence and the sledders came out again on Sunday morning.
WBZ-TV reached out to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, but they did not respond to a request for comment.
State Rep. David Paul Linsky supports the neighborhood’s decision to tear down the fence. He believes that residents should be able to enjoy the country as they have done for decades.
“So apparently the Mass Horticultural Society put up a big fence here that keeps people away from the sledding hill that people have used for decades to sled in the winter. Kids have been sledding here for a long time, they wanted to enjoy it, and it has brought a lot of local controversy,” Linsky said.
Lawmaker tries to work out a deal
Linsky said his office was inundated with a large number of phone calls and emails demanding he call on the Massachusetts Horticultural Society to open the mound to the public. Linsky has been trying to make a deal with them for quite some time. He said he is prepared to take further political action if necessary to open up the space for his constituents.
Chris Satterthwaite moved to Wellesley to enjoy family-oriented activities and said he was shocked when his family was turned away from the hill at Elm Bank on Saturday.
“Days like this only come around so often, and this is a memorable part of childhood to go out here and sled,” Satterthwaite said. “So I think every child should have the opportunity to do that, no matter where he or she lives.”
Satterthwaite was directed to another hill nearby and said he’s grateful he still has the chance to take the kids out to enjoy the snow.
“We’re happy to have this one, we’ll take whatever we can get,” Satterthwaite said.
