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

1. Make a decision through an open and participatory process regarding what city residents desire for the 313 acres of park land.
2. Consider alternatives for the sale, such as a land trust, to preserve public access to Elbel Park in perpetuity