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• This isn't a conversation about maintenance standards or even what to feed the ducks. In places like the Leeper Park duck pond, the evolved situation is only partially solved by enhanced landscaping, additional upkeep, and new public policies. The only scenario we can condone the creation of artificial spaces to house and feed wildlife is one that is under constant supervision of trained professionals such as a zoo, aquarium, or farm. Even so, these environments must be created in a way that promotes the health and well-being of the animals in the most natural environments possible. Unless it's done in a very controlled manner, the pastime of feeding wildlife for amusement is one that must come to a stop. Despite the nutritional value of a Keeping the pond, in any improved or existing particular feed or food product, condition, troubles involving overcrowding, dependency on human feeding causes malnutrition, inbreeding, migratory patterns, and migratory issues, overpopulation, animal welfare ethics would continue to exist. overfeeding and a suite of health-related problems. Keeping the pond, in any improved or existing condition, troubles involving overcrowding, malnutrition, inbreeding, migratory patterns, and animal welfare ethics would continue to exist. This would result in the department havingto implement additional, and presumably unpopular activities. These include strict enforcement of no -feeding policies, a reallocation of departmental resources away from other priorities, a reduction of the park's greenspace, and wildlife management techniques such as relocation, egg depredation, or controlled animal killings. FEEDBACK AND MORE INFORMATION The concept is now available for review and commentary. We remain committed to opportunities for 40 residents to become educated and weigh in on this topic. One way to do so is on the website at www.riverfrontparksandtrails.com or at a public community meeting at the NNN Community Center on June 14th at 6:00 p.m. located at 109 Portage Ave. We have already gathered a significant amount of information from these sources and would encourage people to become educated on this topic. 1. "Stop Feeding Waterfowl." Stop Feeding Waterfowl - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. New York State, n.d. Web. 07 June 2017. <http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7001.html>. 2. McRuer, Dave, MSc, DVM, Dipl. ACVPM. Consequences of Feeding Waterfowl in Public Parks (n.d.): n. pag.Www.wildlifecenter.org. Wildlife Center.Web. <http://wi ldl ifecenter.org/sites/default/fi les/Consequences-of-feed i ng-wi Id -ducks -i n-pu blic- parks.pdf>. 3. Palus, Shannon. "Don't Feed the Waterfowl." Audubon. Audubon, 14 July 2016. Web. 07 June 2017. < http://www.audubon.org/news/dont-feed-waterfowl >. 4. "Indiana Department of Natural Resources." DNR: Solutions. DNR, n.d. Web. 07June2017. <http://www.i n.gov/dnr/fishwild/3002.htm>. 5. "Please Don't Feed Waterfowl." Please Don't Feed Waterfowl — Audubon Society of Portland. Audobon Society of Portland, n.d. Web. 07 June 2017. <http://audubonportiand.org/wcc/urban/Waterfowl >. 6. "Don't Feed the Ducks." Mass Audubon. Mass Audobon, n.d. Web. 07 June2017. 7. <http://www.massaudubon.org/learn/nature-wildlife/birds/don-t-feed-the-ducks> See AppendixA for additional information on water quality at Leeper Park Duck Pond. 0