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