By EILEEN MONREALE
GREAT KILLS

Mount Manresa is one of the few extraordinary places left on Staten Island. I was first on this site in the 1980s when I attended classes as an adult to make my Confirmation just before I married.

The unique and breathtaking views of the Lower Bay, and peaceful gardens and paths were the most beautiful I’d even seen on Staten Island. The historical buildings, tranquillity, magnificent old trees, and view of the water from that high vantage point combine to make a visit a most memorable experience on Staten Island to this day.

Staten Island doesn’t need more houses, cars or people and we certainly don’t need to bulldoze treasures. The traffic is heavy enough and the statistics the Advance has been reporting regarding the obesity and poor health of Islanders as compared to the rest of the city are appalling, Our quality of life must improve and that includes increasing cultural opportunities, preserving open spaces, and saving community gathering places that are unique.

It would be a tragic loss of opportunity to destroy Mount Manresa. This area in particular is densely built and this site provides one of the few open spaces. It’s desperately needed to preserve the quality of life for not only those who live in the area but for all of us who pass through the area each day.

Malcolm Gladwell’s recent book, “The Blue Zone,” concludes with the fact that the happiest and healthiest communities are those with opportunities to connect and interact in meaningful ways.

Bulldozing this site destroys opportunities and will contribute to Staten Island’s problems by adding another poorly planned residential site on land that should be preserved for all of us.

The memory of taking the classes to receive my Confirmation at one of the most beautiful sites on Staten Island, Mount Manresa, remains among my most treasured as I head toward my 28th wedding anniversary. I urge Staten Island’s City Council delegation and Borough President Oddo to find solutions to save this Island treasure.