Save Cromwell Park in Lorain
Cromwell Park in Lorain:
An Important Bird Area
Black River Audubon opposes the sale of Cromwell Park in Lorain for kart racing. Many people and organizations have asked how they can show their support.
Here is some information. Lorain City Council needs to hear from as many of us as possible. Please be respectful and share. Please consider signing the petition— it is the orange button.
The area along the Black River and Cromwell Park is an “Important Birding Area,” home to over 115 species and 43 nesting species as well as hundreds of nests in a great blue heron rookery nearby the project site.
The Black River through Lorain has in the recent past been a restoration and conservation success with millions of dollars spent on restoration. This riparian corridor should continue to be maintained with a focus on nature and wildlife. The City of Lorain has only a couple of precious large areas left in the city. Paving this area would make a gray city, more gray.
The COVID pandemic has made public green spaces even more sought out by families and the public. The World Health Organization reports that green space is essential to both the ecosystem and to the physical and mental health of citizens. Large parks promote active living, which can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Habitat destruction and alteration threatens native plants, pollinators, and animals of all types. When a large habitat is broken into smaller fragments, certain plant and animal species cannot spread easily. (Understanding Biological Health in Our Forests, Penn State University)
Community-based organizations, often aided by environmental groups, are refocusing urban brownfield remediation projects on urban green space to address public health and environmental justice concerns. Urban green space is an environmental justice issue, given that in many cities, low-income neighborhoods and communities of color—places where public health challenges tend to be the most critical—often have relatively poor access to safe and well-maintained parks and other areas of wide-open spaces.
Birdwatching is second to gardening as the most popular outdoor activity in United States. A 2016 US Fish and Wildlife report stated that there were 45 million birders generating almost $96 billion in total industry output. Natural areas along Ohio’s “North Coast” attract large numbers of birders annually who spend money locally.
The race track may be a noise nuisance to area residents and decrease property values; whereas well maintained green spaces generally increase property values.
Sign our petition (please sign our petition and share, share, share.
https://chng.it/NHbM8YXsvx
Contact City of Lorain Administration
Mayor Jack Bradley
Safety/Service Sanford Washington
200 W Erie Avenue
Lorain, OH 44052
Jack_Bradley@CityofLorain.org Sanford_Washington@CityofLorain.org
Area council members (phone or email)
Henley, Beth 1st Ward 440-821-9217 Beth_Henley@cityoflorain.org
Kempton, Victoria 2nd Ward 440-305-6316 Victoria_Kempton@cityoflorain.org
Letters to the Editor
Chronicle Telegram letters@chroniclet.com
Letters should be 250 words or fewer. Letters with more than 250 words may be edited. Include your signature, full home address and telephone number for verification purposes.
Morning Journal letters@morningjournal.com
All letters are subject to editing. Letters should be brief (about 200 words at most) and must include the author’s name, home address and home telephone numbers for verification.
Attend and/or speak at the Meeting (comments are limited to three minutes)
Lorain City Council Committee Meeting
February 14, 5:30 pm
Lorain City Hall
200 West Erie Avenue
Lorain, Ohio, 44052
Double-crested cormorants on the Black River
More Information/News
Black River Audubon Press Release
Birding in Ohio: Black River Important Bird Area
Birding in Ohio: Cromwell Park
Dike 14 in Cleveland- From landfill to Nature Preserve
Presentation to Lorain City Council 2.14.22
Relevant Studies
Revegetating Landfills and Waster Containment Areas Fact Sheets (USEPA)
Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis
The Important Bird Areas Program in the United States: Building a Network of Sites for Conservation
Letters of Support
Matt Valencic
Member – Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland
Patricia Kellner, MD
President, Kirtland Bird Club of Northeast Ohio
Board and Members of Western Cuyahoga Audubon
Editorials
Chronicle Telegram- Ann & David Glime
Chronicle Telegram- Kenneth Grezler