Kim Cuddeback and Glenn Changar
Many of us, including myself, cherish our time spent at Creve Coeur Park. Whether it is meandering around the lake on a squeaky yellow bike, admiring the skill and grace of the Saint Louis Rowing Club from atop the footbridge, staking out nesting waterfowl from a kayak or enjoying a sunset from the lake’s eastern shore… we all share memories of one of our county’s finest nature spots.
So you can imagine my dismay when I stumbled across the news that developers and city officials in Maryland Heights have plans to commercialize the very land where hundreds of birds and other species make their homes, not to mention one of the few natural treasures of our county where hikers, bikers, birders, rowers, sailors and anglers can escape from the rigors of daily life.
This is why a debt of gratitude is owed to two nature nurturers, Kim and Glenn. They, along with other citizens of Maryland Heights, have joined together in a grassroots effort to protect the Creve Coeur Park and wetland area from a plan to rezone more than 200 acres of agricultural farmland as “mixed use”, allowing for 5.1 million square feet of intensive development which would change the pristine beauty of the area into a jungle of strip malls, condominiums, and corporate offices, anchored by a Wal-Mart.
KIM CUDDEBACK says: “I grew up in Maryland Heights, and natural preservation is important to me. We are losing all our open space and wetlands. To lose such a massive part of it is disgusting.”
GLENN CHANGAR says: “We are not only concerned about the loss of this rare unspoiled land next to the largest natural lake in Missouri, but also of the additional problems that go along with it: increased traffic, destruction of wildlife habitat… Creve Coeur Lake is the jewel of Maryland Heights. We treasure it and do not want to see the area surrounding it destroyed in the name of progress.”
For More Information on the battle to protect the area known as Howard Bend at Creve Coeur Park go to: www.savecrevecoeur.com
DO WE REALLY NEED ANOTHER ONE OF THESE??
What do you think? Should the wetlands area west of Creve Coeur Lake be left alone by developers? Or do you think we need more retail and office space to be built on this floodplain?
ALSO, We would love to hear your favorite Creve Couer Park stories? What do you think is the most scenic vantage point in the Creve Coeur Park Area –
– Waterfall at Southeast Access Area?
– Biking/Hiking Path along West Lake Shore?
– Sailing/Rowing Coves?
– Birding Area Southwest of Lake?
– The Canal and Mallard Lake portion?
– Bridge overlook near the boathouse?
– Other?
* PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW *
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