Attention All Users and Friends of Ellison Park

Urgent allert about the proposed Ellison Park Master Plan elements, and how to make your voice heard.

ATTENTION ALL USERS AND FRIENDS OF ELLISON PARK

The Ellison Park Master Plan Update is going to be finalized by the county.

There are some disturbing elements that have been added at the last minute by the county and never mentioned at the public meetings when the consultant outlined what is in the plan.

- They recommend opening the Landing Road entrance to vehicular traffic, that would be able to travel down to the bridge and around the sand hill to Pavillion. This will attract drive through traffic with its associated noise pollution, litter, and other unsavory activities, with no good reason as there are no built facilities requiring access by car.

- They are opening Bay Park West, with its steep slopes and fragile soils, to mountain bikes and there is language proposing to do the same in the old riffle range area between Empire Blvd and Browncroft Blvd. Both of these areas are excellent hiking areas, which are extremely environmentally sensitive. Safety issues are being ignored. How can mountain bikers remain in control of their bikes on narrow dirt and steeply sloped trails when they encounter walkers moving at slower speeds?

- Tryon Park was initially the only area they proposed opening to mountain bikes for a 36 month trial period during which monitoring would take place to judge how new, sustainable mountain bike trails work out. This was acceptable to People for Parks and the other area green groups, who have been working together to comment on this plan. They have changed that to 18 months, and use of existing foot paths.

THIS IS URGENT. WHAT YOU CAN DO.

Please go to a new web site http://www.parkspreservation.org/, which was set up for park advocates to voice their concerns and send an email to the County Executive and Parks Director.

Check out the master plan at http://www.monroecounty.gov/parks-ellison.php.

Attend the Parks Advisory Committee Meeting at the Monroe County Offices on Reservoir Ave on Thursday, 3/19/09, at 4:00 p.m. and be heard! THANK YOU