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An ecological study of Elbel is needed and we have already heard a great presentation on the <br />natural and ecological wonders of Elbel. This study would help us find out which practices can <br />and cannot be done at Elbel. This could be done by the Park Department Staff already working <br />for the City and volunteers as well. This is required to happen over the growing season which is <br />the next six (6) to eight (8) months. <br />The final piece is to establish a natural resource management plan for Elbel Park and then in the <br />future for the other major parks as well. This would be built by experts but also by the local <br />community who would be very involved with this. It would guide both the physical care and <br />sustainability of the parks, if any department in the City should be looking at sustainable <br />practices it should be the Parks Department. Mr. Perri stated he would like to see the department <br />be a leader in the community regarding sustainability. This ecological study would include what <br />are our plant and tree quotas, invasive species management, landscaping management, <br />sustainable resource utilization such as rain gardens or green roofs, and monitoring of ongoing <br />projects. This will be a long year to year and a half process. <br />A fifth project going forward, after hearing that presentation by Elbel for Everyone, would be to <br />establish some type of permanent vehicle for the residents to participate in the Parks Department <br />because this process has surely shown there is a need. <br />The public was given an opportunity to comment on both the presentations heard earlier. <br />Evelyn Emery, Crumstown Highway, stated she loved the presentation but was concerned about <br />the lack of the old park ethic. Parks should be a place for peace and quiet for people to relax and <br />get away from the world for a while. Parks are part of the services of the City, not a business. <br />Please look into placing paved paths in the parks so seniors can walk as well. She asked that <br />some type of bill be put forward so that the parks are only used for park land and not being taken <br />by the City to put in other buildings like that fire house. South Bend needs to follow Mishawaka <br />more and how they are beautifying their parks. We need a landscape architect to beautify our <br />city. <br />Casey Zoen, 1265 Chapel Gate, thanked the Committee for allowing public input. She is a local <br />bird watcher and a member of South Bend - Elkhart Audobon Society and commended Mr. Perri <br />for the idea of a natural resource management plan and it is correct that we should do an <br />assessment this year and do longer plans next year. On top of the floral quality assessment there <br />is also a lot of biological metrics that can be analyzed as well. <br />Catherine Osborne, 517 River Ave South Bend, also thanked Mr. Perri for his presentation and <br />the long term thinking that is embedded in it. She seconded the comment that the parks should <br />not be thought of in a piecemeal way and hopefully greater appreciation for parks and better <br />funding for parks will come out of this entire Elbel discussion. She supported the proposal to hire <br />both golf and ecological experts because while volunteers can do a lot there are certain things <br />professionals do that are needed that volunteers cannot perform. <br />Jen Betz, 511 S. St. Joseph St., thanked Mr. Perri for his presentation as well as adding the fifth <br />point to get more involvement from the residents in the parks department. This Committee has <br />4 <br />