May 5, 201015 yr Hello citizens, May is here and an active time of year for helping to clean our environment. I am calling upon anyone who would be most interested in possibly taking some time to help make our shoreline a bit more healthy by participating any amount of time you can...on Saturday, May 22nd from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM meeting at the small parking lot in the upper portion of Edgewater Park. Some of you have regularly participated and some of you may be new. This is a good chance to develop lots of camaraderie and to establish a presence and good example of taking regular care of our natural shoreline. On behalf of the Edgewater environment, I hope you will attend. Again, I would like to at least have 6 people come forward. Although I will have some bags/gloves, it is requested that you volunteer to bring gloves and maybe a few bags. I hope you will help--OR, please forward this message to those you think may be interested. Please RSVP by either replying to me on PM....or contacting me at: 330-393-4448 "Do or do not--there is no try." -- Yoda
May 26, 201015 yr Had a small sweep last Saturday. Unfortunate last moment circumstances had me unable to attend and I humbly apologize, but will more than make up for it. Glad we have a core group of people out there who can pick up the slack when needed. There is also a public art competition for the park. I am trying to get some local artists to submit a design that entails some fantastic art featuring native Great lakes wildlife/aquatic life and lesser known and interesting species. The idea is to have a "do not litter our shoreline" message. In 2001 I worked with an artist from Ohio to produce a concept that paid homage to Ohio's natural aquatic heritage by showcasing extirpated fishes. The design served as a testament to what happens when water resources are abused. If you would like to see the design, simply go to http://www.nanfa.org/convention.shtml and scroll down to the 2001 Ohio Convention to see the design on T-shirts. I am wanting to inspire a similar design with a message and the new design will be with much color and class. Meanwhile......anyone interested.....The Sierra Club clean-up is Saturday June 12th from 10:00 am to noon. They meet at the lower pavilion for breakfast, normally there are about 20 people. Carol ward, the naturalist is normally there as a representative for CLSP. It is open to the public. Encouraging friends to attend is appreciated! That's all for now on updates on this thread.
May 26, 201015 yr once I recover from the last clean up I did I should be back in commission. I am a bit squeamish but need to work through it-hope I can pull it together again.
June 8, 201015 yr Reminder to anyone interested.... The Sierra Club clean-up is Saturday June 12th from 10:00 am to noon. They meet at the lower pavilion for breakfast, normally there are about 20 people. Carol ward, the naturalist is normally there as a representative for CLSP. It is open to the public. Encouraging friends to attend is appreciated!
July 3, 201014 yr Passing along the information.... Here are two opportunities to get involved at Edgewater Park in the next couple of weeks: July 10th, 11am - 5pm. Treasure the Beach! Volunteers wanted to staff the FOESP table. Please contact Mandy [email protected]. Or just plan to attend the event: celebration of Clean Beaches Week, clean-up and kids activities. Meet near beach pavilion area. See attached flier. July 17th, 11am-1pm. Clean-up. Informal small group clean-up held the third Saturday of the month. Bring a few trash bags and gloves (optional). PLEASE RSVP to Robert Carillio [email protected] so that he can let you know if the clean-up is canceled. Meet at small lot at upper park. Happy Summer, Mandy Friends of Edgewater State Park
July 13, 201014 yr Heavy rains cause sewage overflow at Edgewater; swimming discouraged Published: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 10:26 AM Updated: Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 11:11 AM Liz Navratil, The Plain Dealer Liz Navratil, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Authorities are asking residents not to swim at Edgewater Park after a storm Monday night caused an unknown amount of sewage to flow into the lake. Jeannie Chapman, a spokeswoman for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, said.... For the rest of the story, visit: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/07/heavy_rains_cause_sewer_overfl.html And, hope some of you will join the small sweep gathering listed above.
July 13, 201014 yr I can't believe that fixing this is not a priority. It shows that Cleveland does not place significant economic value on its beaches. Another example of how we fail to capitalize on our assets.
July 13, 201014 yr I can't believe that fixing this is not a priority. It shows that Cleveland does not place significant economic value on its beaches. Another example of how we fail to capitalize on our assets. Cut them a break Tedolph. Combined sewer systems overflow after heavy downpours. This is nothing new and it's not unique to Cleveland. Detroit and Chicago have similar systems and similar problems, but each city has taken steps to fix the problem. It's certainly a priority, but unless you have a few billion dollars laying around it's going to be a difficult one to quickly fix. From the article: "Sewage now overflows at Edgewater about once every two years, down from the 40 to 50 times a year it overflowed in the mid-1970s, according to a news release from the sewer district." Large containment tunnels have also been constructed in other cities (maybe in Cleveland as well) that contain the combined sewage and storm water runoff during heavy downpours instead of letting it overflow into the waterways. The treatment plant then catches up when the rain stops.
July 13, 201014 yr ^Gee...isn't the Northeast Regional Sewer District spending tens of millions to "fix this".
July 13, 201014 yr We as Clevelanders have always been somewhat disconnected from the beach/lake front for some reason i cannot explain. I feel like there would be a lot of economic opportunity if thats changes.
July 14, 201014 yr ^Gee...isn't the Northeast Regional Sewer District spending tens of millions to "fix this". Actually, $900 million- so far. About another $800, million to go. http://www.neorsd.org/cso.php http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/12539541404330.xml&coll=2
July 14, 201014 yr ^Gee...isn't the Northeast Regional Sewer District spending tens of millions to "fix this". Actually, $900 million- so far. About another $800, million to go. http://www.neorsd.org/cso.php http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/12539541404330.xml&coll=2 NEOSERD did build some containment tunnels but we could still redirect overfows to far off shore rather than close to Edgewater for goodnes sake. We just don't think edgewater is that important. Another example is Lake Rockwell. There is no reason for Akron to get its water form this man made lake which disrupts the natural flow of the Cuyahoga and thus its water quality. Akron could get all the water it needs from Cleveland but wont for political purposes. The Cuyahoga could be a beautiful river all the way to the navigation channel. Again, water quality and the recreational businesses it could support just aren't that important to us. It is a an attitudinal legacy from Cleveland's industrial past. We don't think of Cleveland as a beach city or the Cuyahoga as a swimable river although they both could be.
July 14, 201014 yr Jesus, this isn't like shutting down point-source polluters such as industry; the CSO issue is a significantly more complex issue to deal with and it will take tens of years to solve. Fortunately, NEORSD is all over that stuff. As far as Akron getting its water from Cleveland, as you move upriver (and uphill) from Lake Erie, it gets significantly more expensive due to energy costs to pump water south rather than pull it from Lake Rockwell. Also, as you use more energy, you throw more pollutants into the air (including mercury from coal-fired power plants which, HURRAH, goes into the watershed). The More You Know. ------------------*
July 15, 201014 yr Hello, Quick update.... I just had communication with Ohio Department Of Natural Resources and thanks to some extra contact and a little push that we've been promoting, we should start noticing more regular beach sweeping at Edgewater, along with some no littering (and no cigarette butt littering) signage to help establish an anti-littering mindset and give law enforcement more leverage. Basically, more attention to these important issues. I am also working on a power point presentation to be shown to block clubs about the negative economic, environmental, and social impacts and costs on the community of litter. I hope some from here can make it Saturday. If you plant to, please RSVP. Thank You
July 17, 201014 yr Our next Friends of Edgewater State Park meeting is 5:30pm this Tuesday, July 20th, at Edgewater Yacht Club. If the weather is nice we will sit outside. All are welcome. On the agenda: planning our Annual Meeting, and forming committees to address specific concerns and projects. Hope to see you there. Mandy Metcalf President, Friends of Edgewater State Park
July 23, 201014 yr This is good news! Nature center opens at Cleveland Lakefront State Park Thursday, July 22, 2010, 9:00 AM Liz Navratil, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Carol Ward kept one thought in mind when she designed the new nature center at Cleveland Lakefront State Park: "Children like to do things, and adults like to see things." That's why Exploration Station, the latest collection of Lake Erie-themed science exhibits, has plenty to do for all its visitors. Kids, for instance, will be.... Read the rest at: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/07/nature_center_opens_at_clevela.html
July 23, 201014 yr Yes it is. I believe it is right next to Gordan Park. I thought so. I'm confused (honestly) why it's in this thread.
July 23, 201014 yr I placed it here because Edgewater Park is a part of the bigger picture, "Cleveland Lakefront State Park"....and this is the closest thing we have for a nature center not too far from EWP, specifically. It can be placed in other threads sure, but IMO, this simply creates too many threads. The nature center is a small but contributing existing component that offers something to do along the lakefront. Something educationally fun, at that, for a change.
July 23, 201014 yr Jesus, this isn't like shutting down point-source polluters such as industry; the CSO issue is a significantly more complex issue to deal with and it will take tens of years to solve. Fortunately, NEORSD is all over that stuff. As far as Akron getting its water from Cleveland, as you move upriver (and uphill) from Lake Erie, it gets significantly more expensive due to energy costs to pump water south rather than pull it from Lake Rockwell. Also, as you use more energy, you throw more pollutants into the air (including mercury from coal-fired power plants which, HURRAH, goes into the watershed). The More You Know. ------------------* I really resent it when you make me look stupid. Particularly with facts!
August 10, 201014 yr Notice: We are hoping to do the Edgewater sweep again for August---3rd Saturday of the month, (August 21st) same time...11:00 AM To 1:00 PM...same meeting spot at upper lot...same suggestion of bring gloves. I have bags. Participation is appreciated! Please RSVP Yes or No..and if you say "Yes" please show up. The contact line is 330-393-4448 Regards, Rob :-D One thing to note...of all the absurd top ten "bad lists" targeting Cleveland and/or Ohio...the one that has recently placed Ohio as having some of the dirtiest beaches along its waterfronts is legit. So, come on out and help change this perception.
August 26, 201014 yr From Friends Of Edgewater State Park: There will be an annual meeting on Sat. Sept 18th at the beach front pavilion at noon. Before that, from 10:00am to about 11:45am, we will be holding our beach clean-up for the Adopt-a-Beach project. Hope you can attend!
September 15, 201014 yr Clean-up 10am—12pm Annual Meeting 12pm—1pm Saturday, September 18, 2010....meet at: Lower Level Pavilion---Edgewater Park The 2010 Friends of Edgewater State Park annual membership meeting will be held September 18th, 12pm, at the lower level pavilion at the park. At the meeting members will have the chance to vote for board positions. There are seven board positions available. Members will vote for three trustees, who will then appoint the other board members: a treasurer, secretary, vice president, and president. Lunch will be served. If you like bring a side dish to share (optional). The meeting program will start at 12pm. The Coast Week Adopt-a-Beach Clean-up will take place before the Annual Meeting, starting at 10am. We’ll provide clean-up supplies. Coast Week is the world’s largest clean up effort. As part of the clean-up we’ll collect data on beach and water-quality health for the Adopt-a-Beach program. For more info call me at 216-577-2505 Mandy Metcalf
August 31, 201113 yr Addressing beach litter ONE component at a time. This petition deals specifically with plastic tips from cigars. I believe in a recent estimate formulated by The Great Lakes Alliance, Cleveland area beaches had the highest tally of these bits of litter--and, according to data, one cigarette butt left in one gallon of water for one day can kill 80% of aquatic life. Collectively, this is a far bigger issue and problem on beaches than most people comprehend or realize. Hope you will sigh the petition! And, if you don't like me/my posts...that's ok, but we all love our beach, so let's do the right thing by her! And, by the way, the last year has seen many beach and park clean-ups and addition of much informational signage. Please check with Friends Of Edgewater Park for regular listings on scheduled clean-ups by them, (Facebook page) Drink Local Tap, and Sierra Club. :-D Thank You! http://www.change.org/petitions/promoting-against-littering-of-plastic-cigar-tipsbutts-their-discontinued-use?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=own_wall
September 2, 201113 yr ^ Good idea, one component at a time. Especially considering a lot of the trash imbedded into the sand and beach is really small plastic junk stuff that can't be combed out and is nearly impossible to pick out by hand. It's almost in vain when the next north wind redeposits the next round of junk you've just picked up. Edgewater Beach/Park is still pretty much a disgusting nightmare since the storm that hit over a week ago. It's slowly coming back together, but I have a feeling a ton of branches will continue to remain sprinkled about as was the case most of the spring. Any beach clean ups happening soon? I've noticed that all of the trails in the wooded section are terribly littered and could be a nice focus for a clean up. Last night the entire beach wreaked of sewage, with an almost nauseating toxic smell coming off the lake, but according to ohionowcast.info the e coli levels were low and no overflows as of the past few days. Could this smell be from the algae bloom that is starting to choke the western basin? I'm definitely concerned over the state of our lake and health of our beaches. I wish more people would take pride in them, instead of contributing to the problem or looking the other way.
September 3, 201113 yr There is a clean-up on Saturday, September 10th from 10 until noon. Please see Friends Of Edgewater Facebook page. Many things add to the algae blooms and odor. Algae, when out of balance and when it dies and is consumed by oxygen depleting bacteria....leads to odors and even fish kills. The huge storm sewer culvert there helps nothing, as well as the fact that Edgewater is actually a cove of sort, that collects debris and other issues like a baseball glove. This is why the least area residents, and especially those living along the shore can do to help is chose to not use lawn chemical services like "CHEM-ical--Lawn" etc... Tere are many alternative ideas to this product. As for the branches, that is left up to the state, but is non-toxic compared to human made litter. It may not look nice, and can have impacts connected to erosion, but the main focus is on artificial litter. There IS effort to see to it that the beach gets combed more often. The state park system, thanks much most recently to the current state administration, has been eroded of resources again. You may have noticed new anti-litter/cigarette but/cigar tip signage in the parks. This was an effort of bringing together three groups who made a great effort with a small grant used very wisely. This plastic tip issue was chosen for a petition drive because it has been such a recent pervasive issue that has grown so much in the last few years likely due to Middleton Company's aggressive target marketing toward urban and inner city youth which has made these things out to be some kind of status symbol, but when petitioning, we have to address one issue at a time to one specific entity. Indeed, the awareness of other issues is on the radar. I will pass along the information about the trails being littered. Writing to your representatives and requesting to NOT slash anymore funding for state parks is a good idea too. It is rumored that the Metro-Parks may take over this place--in which case could present new opportunities and better care. Thanks for the support!
September 6, 201113 yr Announcement from Friends Of Edgewater: Welcome the return of Fall at Edgewater State Park with three upcoming Friends of Edgewater events! September brings the last official FOESP clean-up of the year. We're holding it this coming weekend in conjunction with the Third Annual Lake Erie Boat Float in partnership with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Drink Local Drink Tap, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and Coastweeks. The Boat Float, launching from Edgewater Beach, features homemade plastic junk boats racing for prizes - and attempting to stay afloat - to raise awareness about plastic pollution, and is an experience not to be missed! Food and fun provided by 106.5 The Lake. Saturday, September 10th 10am Boat Float 11am Clean-Up: Meet at the Lower Level Beach Pavilion--Parking lot/park areas in need of more volunteers to clean away litter/butts, etc. All supplies provided
September 11, 201113 yr Once again, especially after a torrent of showers, a few hundred pounds of litter were "harvested" from Edgewater Park/Beach---with such only scratching the surface. There are many more volunteers needed to make a real impact and demonstrate that Cleveland cares about...and takes pride in its waterfront/shoreline areas. When you see litter, picking it up helps always. At both Euclid beach and Edgewater, you may have begun to notice some signage. I will try and provide an example. Thanks to the many who made this possible.
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