70 Acres Preserved for Avon Lake Park (OH)
Avon Lake, OH, 6/26/2003?- – The Trust for Public Land hosted a press conference today to announce the acquisition of 70 acres of woodland property in the first step creating a new park in the heart of Avon Lake, Ohio. The future park will be owned and managed by the Lorain County Metro Parks. The Avon Lake Save the Woods Committee, the Lorain County Metro Parks, and the City of Avon Lake all played vital roles in acquiring the land from its previous owners, Kopf Builders. The purchase price of the land was $2,230,000.
“The Trust for Public Land helped turn the Save the Woods Committee’s vision into a reality for the City of Avon Lake,” noted Wolfe Tone, Project Manager for the Trust for Public Land, “and Avon Lake now has a strong foundation from which to create a great park and wonderful community asset.”
“As a city we are very happy to see this project moving forward,” stated Avon Lake Mayor Rob Berner. “Setting aside 70 acres that will be undeveloped in the future is an admirable goal for the community.”
The opportunity to conserve this land was made possible by the Avon Lake Save the Woods Committee, a group of citizens determined to preserve this natural area through community support. Since February 2, 2003, Save the Woods Committee had collected more than 4,500 signatures from residents and rallied city leaders, school officials, and neighbors to join their effort.
Save the Woods spokesperson Jan VanWagner said, “The Save the Woods committee is very pleased to have completed the first phase of the 170-acre park. We will continue our work by contacting the landowners and holding fundraising projects.”
Integral to the funding was a $1,250,000 grant from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, created by Governor Taft in 2000. The program provides $400 million over four years for preservation of natural areas and farmland, protection of streams, creation of outdoor recreational opportunities and revitalization of urban areas. The City of Avon Lake and Lorain County Metro Parks will provide the match of local resources required by the grant, bringing the vision of a 170-acre park closer to reality for Avon Lake residents.
Dan Martin, Director of the Lorain County Metro Parks states, “Any time we can invest in a partnership to save outstanding parcels of property such as this, it is a benefit to everyone in Lorain County.”
The Trust for Public Land, established in 1972, is a national nonprofit land conservation organization specializing in conservation real estate, applying its expertise in negotiations, public finance, and law, to protect land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Across the nation, the Trust for Public Land has helped protect more than 1.6 million acres and has been serving Ohioans for more than 25 years. The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve our land for people mission. The Trust for Public Land Ohio Office is generously supported by The Cleveland Foundation and The George Gund Foundation. For more information please contact us at 216-928-7518.