Drag racing is wrong for Calverton site

To the Editor:

I am deeply troubled by the recent application to hold 24 drag racing events in 2022 at Enterprise Park at Calverton. I read that the application was submitted to the town board this past week, and it calls for 24 race events on weekends through spring, summer, and fall, taking place all day and into the night until 10 p.m., and allowing for 2,200 attendees at each event.

Research has proven that drag racing causes noise and air pollution, and the potential for water and soil contamination; the land at the EPCAL site is already burdened, listed by the EPA as a SuperFund site.

Furthermore, drag racing will lower our property values. Residents have chosen to live here because of the tranquil, peaceful, natural environment with farms, open space and clean air.

These drag racing events will increase traffic and put a strain on the police force and the fire department.

Drag racing will destroy the experience at Veteran’s Memorial Park, located on the EPCAL site, where there is a bicycle/walking path, baseball fields, a picnic area, and a dog park.

It is disgraceful and thoughtless to have drag racing directly across from the Calverton National Cemetery, which is a resting place for our fallen veterans and a peaceful place where families come to visit their loved ones. National Cemeteries are classified as Noise Sensitive Zones.

Drag racing will ruin the idyllic quality of our farm community, our environment, our health and our well-being.

Drag racing will be bad for the Town of Riverhead, and the town board should deny permits for more drag racing at EPCAL.

Karen Kemp
Calverton

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