College Opens Fly Club Garden, Renames Area People's Field

The College this week unlocked the Fly Club Garden gates to give Harvard students unrestricted use, but, despite sunny weather, few took advantage of the Mt. Auburn St. green.

Though Harvard owns the garden, now officially known as People's Field, members of the adjoining final club have had free access to the property, which had been secluded behind locked gates. Students could petition to use the garden, but daily use was restricted.

The Committee on College Life (CCL) reached an agreement with the Fly Club in February to open the courtyard to all students. An Undergraduate Council committee had argued that the garden should be open, charging it was an unnecessary, remaining link between the College and the final club.

The College severed its ties with the nine-all male final clubs in December 1984.

Though the lock still hangs on the Plympton St. gate to the garden, giving the illusion that it is locked, students may lift the latch and walk in.

"We took the lock off, flung open the door, and danced triumphantly in the garden," said Undergraduate Council Chairman Brian C. Offutt '87.

"It is the perfect right of any Harvard student to walk in there as they please," Offutt said. The council plans to distribute flyers publicizing the garden's opening, and notices have already been posted in some dining halls.

While observers speculated that the Fly Club would build a fence to close off a portion of the garden for private use, Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III said the Fly's agreement with the College prevented putting up such a barrier. Club President Rex F. Thors '87 said the Fly has not decided what action it will take.

Epps said he is not concerned about potential problems with strangers from the neighborhood wandering into the garden.

The University bought the property in 1956. Harvard pays taxes on the land while the Fly Club has maintained it.