574 Acres on Bass Lake Protected (OH)

Munson Township, OH 02/12/03 – The Trust for Public Land and the Geauga Park District?announce the preservation?of the 574-acre Bass Lake Preserve near Chardon, Ohio. This is one of the largest conservation projects in northeast Ohio in recent decades.

The Trust for Public Land purchased the Bass Lake property from the Burlington Group for approximately $5.75 million and transferred the ownership to Geauga Park District, which will manage and preserve the property as a park.

The new public nature preserve surrounds the 160-acre Bass Lake at the headwaters of the Chagrin River and offers an expanse of serene waters and shoreline for outdoor recreation, including fishing and bird watching, while protecting wildlife habitat. Located just 25 miles east of Cleveland, Bass Lake Preserve is nestled in a quiet residential community and is also home to a nesting pair of American bald eagles. Protecting Bass Lake Preserve is essential to maintaining the quality of the Chagrin River and preventing downstream flooding.

The Trust for Public Land was the catalyst in preserving Bass Lake. “We are thrilled to protect one of the most important natural resources in northeast Ohio,” said Christopher Knopf, Ohio Office Director for the Trust for Public Land. “This is a big win for everyone who is familiar with the beauty of Bass Lake, and an even bigger win for those who have yet to discover its treasures.”

Amid rapidly growing developments in Geauga County, conservation of Bass Lake Preserve exemplifies Geauga Park District’s commitment to preserving open spaces in this community. Park District Director Tom Curtin said, “Bass Lake offers excellent opportunities for enjoying nature and observing wildlife. Its preservation is critical to hundreds of species of fish, birds and wildlife and even more important for water quality. Families can look forward to bird watching, fishing and canoeing across the waters of Bass Lake.”

The Trust for Public Land’s acquistion and conservation was made possible through a partnership with the Chagrin River Land Conservancy. Funding for the project was made possible through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Water Resource Restoration Sponsorship Program. The highly competitive program protects high-quality water sources through land conservation. “The Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program is a great example of how partnerships and creative thinking combine to benefit the environment,” said Ohio EPA Director Christopher Jones. “I’m proud that Ohio EPA was able to assist in providing funding toward the preservation of Bass Lake Preserve.”

The Trust for Public Land is a nonprofit organization that conserves land for people to improve the quality of life in our communities and to protect our natural and historic resources for future generations. Founded in 1972, the Trust for Public Land has helped protect more than 1.4 million acres across the nation. The Trust of Public Land has been serving Ohioans for more than 25 years and is widely known for its role in the demolition of the Richfield Coliseum and the transfer of the property to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Ohio Office of the Trust for Public Land is proudly supported by The Cleveland Foundation, the George Gund Foundation and many private foundations and donors. For more information, contact Trust for Public Land at (216) 928-7518.

Geauga Park District manages over 5,000 acres in eleven open parks and preserves and offers hundreds of programs and special events annually. Since the park district was established in 1961 it has maintained the mission “to preserve conserve and protect the natural features of Geauga County and to provide the opportunity for people to enjoy and appreciate those resources.” For more information contact the Geauga Park District at (440) 286-9516 or www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.