The city just confirmed that Elbel Park will remain public property instead of being sold to developers. I spent so many afternoons exploring these trails as a kid and I am beyond relieved that future generations get to do the same. We need to stay alert to ensure the city …
February 2, 2016
Final supporters
The city of South Bend is moving to sell South Bend's largest and most ecologically diverse park, Elbel Park, to a private developer, but there are better alternatives.
At 313 acres, Elbel is home to ecologically important wetlands, and it provides residents with opportunities to run and hike, photograph and observe rare and endangered wildlife, and engage in a variety of other leisure activities in addition to golf. It is one place in our community where children can safely explore a unique ecological area and have the adventure of the great outdoors.
Elbel, as a premier nature preserve, would add to the desirability of living in the Michiana area and would complement the recent funds from the Regional City initiative. Yet, with the sale of the public golf courses, South Bend is in danger of falling far behind national standards and Midwestern peer cities regarding access to park land.
We are concerned residents of South Bend who urge the city to consider this matter through an open, participatory process and to consider alternatives that ensure continued public access to this land. We are confident that we can find a fiscally responsible solution that will take fully into account what's best for the city of South Bend, all her residents and the irreplaceable ecological resource of Elbel itself.
Please sign this petition to ask the Common Council of South Bend to
- Make a decision through an open and participatory process regarding what city residents desire for the 313 acres of park land.
- Consider alternatives for the sale, such as a land trust, to preserve public access to Elbel Park in perpetuity
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
January 16, 2016
January 14, 2016
I spent another morning walking the trails at Elbel and it kills me to think of this land being fenced off by a developer. We need to hit five hundred names before the council reconvenes to show them exactly how many of us refuse to lose this treasure. Please send this link to your neighbors so we can get there by the end of the day.
January 13, 2016
I have spent the last few days walking the trails at Elbel and thinking about how much we lose if this wilderness becomes a construction zone. The city officials remain silent on our requests for a public meeting but we are not backing down until they acknowledge that these wetlands belong to all of us.
Reached 100 supporters
January 8, 2016
January 6, 2016
I spent so many afternoons at Elbel watching my own kids learn to appreciate the woods, and I refuse to let that disappear for a private developer. We are nearly at our goal of one hundred signatures, so please send this link to someone who believes our public land belongs to the community.
302 Comments
I support turning the Elbel land into a nature preserve or natural wetland. Research has shown that keeping trees and wetlands in our county is important to the quality of our water and air. It is an investment in the health of the county residents.
I have played golf at Elbel since it opened in 19/64-65, and it would be very discouraging to see those beautiful wetlands turned into residental/commercial entities. In nature, the most beautiful merging of God and Man is a golf course.
We don't need another housing development. You would only have ONE CITY GOLF COURSE, You can't count STUDEBAKER AS A REGULATION COURSE. Furthermore , a wildlife sanctuary would be a great addition for the public to view
I live in Fort Myers, Florida but my roots are in Granger. It's time to set aside land like this for future generations to use and enjoy. I can't wait to visit this park with my kids on future trips. Keep up the good fight.
Protecting this valuable asset seems appropriate as we discover the value of wild spaces to our communities and psyches. The sale yields a onetime monetary return: preservation ensures a multifaceted return over many generations.
We need to protect all of our remaining wetlands that support diverse wildlife and protect the water quality of this region. The midwest has lost 30-40+% of biodiversity compared to intact ecosystems in this region. We have reached a point where continued thoughtless development of land is harming our future and contributing to permanent (=forever) loss of species.
Make Elbel a land trust. We can spend thirty million dollars to make Main and Michigan into two way streets, but we can't save a wetland? Where are our priorities?
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The city just confirmed that Elbel Park will remain public property instead of being sold to developers. I spent so many afternoons exploring these trails as a kid and I am beyond relieved that future generations get to do the same. We need to stay alert to ensure the city …
February 2, 2016
Final supporters
The city of South Bend is moving to sell South Bend's largest and most ecologically diverse park, Elbel Park, to a private developer, but there are better alternatives.
At 313 acres, Elbel is home to ecologically important wetlands, and it provides residents with opportunities to run and hike, photograph and observe rare and endangered wildlife, and engage in a variety of other leisure activities in addition to golf. It is one place in our community where children can safely explore a unique ecological area and have the adventure of the great outdoors.
Elbel, as a premier nature preserve, would add to the desirability of living in the Michiana area and would complement the recent funds from the Regional City initiative. Yet, with the sale of the public golf courses, South Bend is in danger of falling far behind national standards and Midwestern peer cities regarding access to park land.
We are concerned residents of South Bend who urge the city to consider this matter through an open, participatory process and to consider alternatives that ensure continued public access to this land. We are confident that we can find a fiscally responsible solution that will take fully into account what's best for the city of South Bend, all her residents and the irreplaceable ecological resource of Elbel itself.
Please sign this petition to ask the Common Council of South Bend to
- Make a decision through an open and participatory process regarding what city residents desire for the 313 acres of park land.
- Consider alternatives for the sale, such as a land trust, to preserve public access to Elbel Park in perpetuity
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
January 16, 2016
January 14, 2016
I spent another morning walking the trails at Elbel and it kills me to think of this land being fenced off by a developer. We need to hit five hundred names before the council reconvenes to show them exactly how many of us refuse to lose this treasure. Please send this link to your neighbors so we can get there by the end of the day.
January 13, 2016
I have spent the last few days walking the trails at Elbel and thinking about how much we lose if this wilderness becomes a construction zone. The city officials remain silent on our requests for a public meeting but we are not backing down until they acknowledge that these wetlands belong to all of us.
Reached 100 supporters
January 8, 2016
January 6, 2016
I spent so many afternoons at Elbel watching my own kids learn to appreciate the woods, and I refuse to let that disappear for a private developer. We are nearly at our goal of one hundred signatures, so please send this link to someone who believes our public land belongs to the community.
302 Comments
If South Bend is to attract people to our area - it is necessary to have a good park system. Our parks have suffered from years of limited funding. Elbel is a gem that should NOT be sold. It is too important to the quality of life in our area.
I support turning the Elbel land into a nature preserve or natural wetland. Research has shown that keeping trees and wetlands in our county is important to the quality of our water and air. It is an investment in the health of the county residents.
I have played golf at Elbel since it opened in 19/64-65, and it would be very discouraging to see those beautiful wetlands turned into residental/commercial entities. In nature, the most beautiful merging of God and Man is a golf course.
We don't need another housing development. You would only have ONE CITY GOLF COURSE, You can't count STUDEBAKER AS A REGULATION COURSE. Furthermore , a wildlife sanctuary would be a great addition for the public to view
I live in Fort Myers, Florida but my roots are in Granger. It's time to set aside land like this for future generations to use and enjoy. I can't wait to visit this park with my kids on future trips. Keep up the good fight.
Protecting this valuable asset seems appropriate as we discover the value of wild spaces to our communities and psyches. The sale yields a onetime monetary return: preservation ensures a multifaceted return over many generations.
We need to protect all of our remaining wetlands that support diverse wildlife and protect the water quality of this region. The midwest has lost 30-40+% of biodiversity compared to intact ecosystems in this region. We have reached a point where continued thoughtless development of land is harming our future and contributing to permanent (=forever) loss of species.
Make Elbel a land trust. We can spend thirty million dollars to make Main and Michigan into two way streets, but we can't save a wetland? Where are our priorities?
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If South Bend is to attract people to our area - it is necessary to have a good park system. Our parks have suffered from years of limited funding. Elbel is a gem that should NOT be sold. It is too important to the quality of life in our area.