The Green Community

Though there are still cloudy days and the occasional snow flurry, it’s springtime in Hanover, and the Green is green once more! Though covered in feet of snow all winter, the grass has now returned. The Green is beautiful again, and we Dartmouth students are enjoying it to the fullest.

After surviving my first real winter, I was ready for some sunshine again. Sure, the snow was pretty and fun for a month or two, but the spring is where it’s at. As a Californian, I wouldn’t exactly call the temperature ideal yet; however there have been a number of beautiful days for us to enjoy. You know the kind… Those days when everyone wants to be outside. When it feels acceptable to break out some sandals. When the sun is shining and the temperature is pleasant, but not too hot. On beautiful spring days like these, the Green is the place to be.

Dartmouth students love the Green because it is perfect for many things, like eating, studying, playing, or sleeping. I happen to be an extreme case- the Green is by far my favorite place on campus. When it is even a little bit warm, you can find me on the Green. Last Friday, I spent six straight hours out there, eating lunch, playing Frisbee, and just hanging out.

I love the Green for a couple reasons. Being so large, it has plenty of room for activities. The most popular Dartmouth pastime is Frisbee, which I am just starting to get ahold of. Other common ones are football, soccer, baseball, and even volleyball! The Green is also a beautiful place just to sit and do work without having to be in the library. The sunshine somehow makes studying substantially more bearable. The most important reason is the ability of the Green to bring people together. On the Green, you can really see and feel the sense of community that brings most people to Dartmouth in the first place. Because it is the central part of campus, everyone is always walking by. This makes it easy to see your friends, to meet other people, and to forge bonds through relaxation or play. For example, one day I started throwing the Frisbee around with two of my friends. After about an hour, I found myself playing with about six people that I had never met before and having a blast.

The Green is a central place that all students can enjoy, whether it be alone, with friends, or with new acquaintances. The love that Dartmouth students share for the Green magically brings everyone together as a community. This is why the Green is my favorite place to be.

- Meghan Cooney '14