[highland-conservancy]Nature Park sell-off?

[highland-conservancy at hyrule.one-point.com]

The Highland Conservancy has sponsored efforts to turn an undeveloped 25 acre 
Highland Township Park into a community Nature Park. On June 25 the concept was 
proposed to the Township Board for approval. The Board asked for a public tour 
of the park land and a Public Hearing on the proposal at their July 23 meeting. 
The park tour was well attended and a few resident's concerns were registered.
The concept for the Nature Park is for a low impact natural park featuring 
native Michigan plants and that will be protected as a park forever.The park 
land is located just to the north of the cell phone tower near the Township 
Library.  An informal inventory of the property revealed a surprising number of 
native plant species already existing on the ground at this site. Much to our 
surprise, at the Board Public Hearing on July 23 there was significant 
opposition to the plan voiced by several members of the Highland Downtown 
Development Authority (DDA). They want to leave the park land up for grabs 
(unprotected) in the future to allow for future annexation to the DDA district, 
rezoning and sale as commercial property. 
The Highland Conservancy is strongly against the idea of selling off park land. 
This land belongs to the residents of the Township and we believe that it is a 
very high priority for the quality of life in the community. When park land is 
lost, it is unlikely that it will be replaced. This park land is particularly 
valuable because of its location within walking distance of  the Township Civic 
Center properties and to the Highland Station community.We would like to hear 
what you think about this proposal. Do you want your park land preserved forever 
or do you want to leave it unprotected and at the mercy of  some future Board 
who may have a change of heart?  Your comments will be important input to the 
Highland Township Board who have not yet adopted the Nature Park concept 
proposal. Leave your comments on the blog. Your identity will be protected.  To post a 
comment on the blog, you do not need to include a URL, just your email 
(which will be kept private). Go to  www.HighlandConservancy.typepad.com 
We also encourage you to write or email the township board so they are aware 
of your opinion and concerns.
Jim Lloyd, President
Highland Conservancy
www.HighlandConservancy.org 
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