Black River Audubon Society, an environmental non-profit organization consisting of over 550 members throughout the Lorain County area of Ohio, opposes the development of Cromwell Park for kart racing. As one of the City of Lorain’s last remaining areas of significant green space, the project includes the transfer of 204 acres of valuable natural habitat along the Black River, with the option to transfer more.

Please read below to understand what’s at stake, and sign our petition to voice your concern. The list of petition-signers will be shared with local government officials. The public comment period ends on February 7, 2022, so please sign this soon – and share it with others! Thank you for helping Lorain be the best that it can be - for nature and for people!

Why oppose the development of Cromwell Park for kart racing?

The area along the Black River and Cromwell Park is a designated “Important Birding Area,” home to over 115 species of birds. 43 species of birds are known to nest there. And it is an important resting spot for migratory birds during spring and fall migration.

The area is especially significant for the large number of Great Blue Herons that nest close to the proposed project site. Great Blue Herons nest in colonies: hundreds of them rely on this natural area. There are only a handful of heronries of this size in all of northern Ohio. Easily disturbed by people and loud noises, kart racing would likely be devastating to them.

The Black River through Lorain has In the recent past been a restoration and conservation success with millions of dollars spent on restoration. This river (riparian) corridor should continue to be maintained with a focus on nature and wildlife. 

The City of Lorain has only a couple of precious large natural areas remaining in the city. Paving this area would make a gray city, more gray.

The COVID pandemic has made public green spaces even more sought out by families and the public. The World Health Organization reports that green space is essential to both the ecosystem and to the physical and mental health of citizens. Large parks promote active living, which can reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. 

Urban green space is an environmental justice issue, given that in many cities, low-income neighborhoods and communities of color—places where public health challenges tend to be the most critical—often have relatively poor access to safe and well-maintained parks and other areas of wide-open spaces.

The race track may be a noise nuisance to area residents and decrease property values; whereas well maintained green spaces generally increase property values.

Once a natural area is dramatically altered, there’s no going back. It takes decades to restore lost habitat.

The Lorain Port Authority River Tours would be a much different experience: this proposed KartTrack is right by Monkey Island and the quiet nature boat tour would soon have loud racing noise and not as much nature.

Birdwatching is second to gardening as the most popular outdoor activity in the United States. The US Fish and Wildlife Service reported in 2016 that there were 45 million birders generating almost $96 billion in total industry output. Natural areas along Ohio’s “North Coast” attract large numbers of birders annually who spend money locally.