Article source for : Crane Creek State Park Land Transferred to ODNR
May 7, 2008 discussion on Ohio birding e-mail "listserv":http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OHIO.html.
Bill W
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 2:01 PM
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Magee Marsh and Crane Creek
I have been told on good authority that the Crane Creek State
Park property has been transferred from the Division of Parks to the
Division of Wildlife (Magee Marsh WA), effective 1 May 2008.
I welcome correction from those who know more than I on this
topic. I assume press releases, etc., will be forthcoming about this
change. We will all learn more soon.
What will the Division of Wildlife will do with this property?
Much of the the currently very rare wooded beach ridge habitat--what
makes the Magee Marsh bird trail so significant for migrant
passerines--was destroyed to make the extravagantly large State Park
parking lot. In fact, the whole area took quite a beating from three
governmental agencies--Parks, Wildlife, and the Ottawa Refuge--and the
public, over the years as they all had their separate ways with it. Some
rancor developed, but with time--and efforts by birders--migrant
passerines were generally recognized as the major beneficiaries of what
little remained. The fact that tourists came from around the world to
observe them did not go unnoticed either. Nor did the fact that we all
take our toll on the habitat.
What's going to happen, I wonder, to that huge, dry, barren
parking lot, as well as any sand, etc., delivered to the site to support
the beach? Eliminating it could eventually lead to a doubling or more of
the critical habitat, with partial restoration of its role in the lives
of migrant birds. Seldom do Ohioans have an opportunity to actually
increase such an endangered habitat.
But, some will ask, even if we have lots more habitat and lots
more birds, where will we park when we come to see them? A fair, if
selfish, question. There may be less critical areas off to the east
along the shore for fewer vehicles, but I recommend we follow the
Canadians and not use critical bird habitat for parking. At Point Pelee,
they run shuttle buses from parking lots in less important areas during
busy seasons. Probably during much of the year at Magee a much smaller
parking lot well east of the current one would serve. Or we could walk.
We'd probably see a lot more that way.
I hope ODOW will opt for wildlife--especially birds--rather than
humans as they manage this property. Their record is spotty in this
regard. As for us birders, if we can't sacrifice a small convenience for
the good of birds, I don't see how we can expect anyone else to. What
do others think? Bill Whan Columbus
hr.
Subject: Re: Magee Marsh and Crane Creek
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 14:42:40 -0400
As of May 1st, Crane Creek State Park is being transferred from Ohio
State Parks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of
Wildlife to be managed as part of Magee Marsh State Wildlife Area that
has recently received national attention in Birders World and Wild Bird
magazines
The area will continue to be open to the public for wildlife
observation, fishing, and walking. Access for fishing and birding will
be improved.
Portions of the area will be allowed to grow up to become wildlife
habitat, including the beach and part of the existing parking lot.
Enough parking will be maintained for visitors during peak birding
seasons.
Swimmers have the options of going to nearly Maumee Bay State Park ( to
the west) or East Harbor State Park to the east.
The existing pit latrine will be removed and portable toilets will be
installed.
The transfer will save Ohio State Parks about $20,000 annually in
maintenance and patrol expenses. The Division of Wildlife will be
responsible for the maintenance and enforcement patrols.
This transfer will only be plus for birds and birders.
Happy Birding
Mary Warren
Magee Marsh
hr.
Subject: Re: Magee Marsh and Crane Creek
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 16:41:47 -0400
That is good news for birds and for birders! Congratulations to Ohio State
Parks and to ODNR/ODW for what most of us will see as a smart move.
Bill Whan raised a great point about the possibility of "reclaiming" the
parking area for habitat, and Mary's statement that at least part of that
area will be allowed to grow up is welcome news indeed. I would urge ODNR
to think "outside of the box" to come up with ways to maximize conversion of
parking areas to habitat. Other great birding areas, such as Point Pelee or
Bentsen SP in Texas, never had close-in parking or have done away with it,
and in the end it's better for birders as well as for birds. (Exceptions
for handicapped access are appropriate, of course.)
But there's another need here -- the need for birders to support -- and to
encourage -- plans for habitat at the expense of parking. We cannot be
grumbling because we have to walk for 10 minutes to our favorite birding
spot rather than park at the front door. Instead, I hope that we will
encourage ODNR to increase habitat, even at the sacrifice of our own
convenience.
Bill H
hr.
Subject: Re: Magee Marsh and Crane Creek - move the parking, walk in
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 17:41:01 -0400
Not that I'm suggesting it by any means, but both Bentsen and Point Pelee
also have trams to get visitors into birding areas, with stops along the way
where you can get on and off.
And before the flames start, yes, I HIKED into Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park
with my group of 10 long before dawn last month to find the elf owl (and NB
Tyrannulet and many others) and hiked back out. (Don't have high
expectations of the "World Birding Center" there, though)
Hiking's fine with me, but with the first of the boomers retiring this year,
and so many more of them to come, some provision might want to be considered
eventually for what may be their future less-than-mobile access? There are
a lot of gray and graying heads on the boardwalk at CC (mine included), And
they might be a major part of a new generation of committed birders.
Cheers...Bob
hr.
Subject: Re: Magee Marsh and Crane Creek
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 18:24:30 -0400
Maybe this issue/opportunity is a good chance for the birding community
to try to influence legislators in that area to gain appropriations for
thoughtful development for ODW (note keyword "thoughtful", as in
"sustaniable" and "low impact"). As a group, most passive recreationists
- and I include birders, photographers, wildflower watchers and other
nature nuts like myself are a rather politically passive bunch. Just
leave us alone with our birds, we think, and ..... well, the squeaky
wheel gets the grease, to paraphrase Grandma. Maybe the "Crane Creek
Birding Consortium" could have a little economic-political power if
articulate, well-intentioned folks get behind something like that.
Just a few thoughts/observations...
Cheers....Bob
hr.
Subject: Re: Magee Marsh and Crane Creek
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 15:38:12 -0400
Great news about Magee Marsh and Crane Creek. Sounds like good decisions are
being crafted among our agencies. I support maximum possible return of
habitat for birds--more accessible birds along an expanded low-impact trail
system to spread out birders would be helpful.
I think it will become evident in the future that birds, birders, and the
Birding Trail may best be served by using a Point Pelee adaptation. I agree
we need newbie-friendly birding at special places to capture involvement of
youth and new adult interest. A shuttle service approach might be just the
thing for the Birding Trail, for new and "experienced" birders alike. The
seasonal nature of the demand for transport is a business problem without
obvious solution.
Economics, at least in part, will determine future approaches. I'm certain
the Point Pelee service is heavily subsidized by the government in Canada.
I'm not so sure we'll see that happen on the US side. A good case for
subsidy can be made, and we should give this some thought.
hr.
Subject: Re: Magee Marsh and Crane Creek
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 13:59:03 -0400
Most of the comments I have seen about the Magee Marsh / Crane Creek changes
appear to be from the perspective of experienced birders. Most (other than
the handicapped ) don't mind walking to get to a great birding spot. There
is another perspective and that is from the point of view of getting new
people involved in birding. There have got to be great birding places that
are readily accessible to get new people hooked on birding. Magee Marsh is
currently one of those places and I have seen it work. Getting new people
involved is as essential to the long term health of the birds as is adding
new habitat. It will take more people (and the money they spend) to support
birding in the future. There needs to be a good balance of maintaining
habitat (and not loving it to death) and making great birding readily
accessible. Don't go overboard in restricting access that may have
unintended consequences that are not in the best long term interest of the
birds.
Richard
hr.
Subject: Re: Magee Marsh and Crane Creek
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 08:59:49 -0400
Dear Fellow Birders,
I think almost all of are willing to take a shuttle bus and walk some,
but I sure hope they keep a lot of bathrooms down near the boardwalk entrances!
It could be a LONG wait for the shuttle bus under certain circumstances! I
also think it will be critical to keep some parking for the "off season", when
running a shuttle would be cost prohibitive, but when some of us will still be
interested in enjoying Crane Creek.
Just out of curiosity, where would they put the new parking lot the bus
would run from? The parking lot at the bird center is full during peak times.
There would have to be one as large as the current parking lot, basically a
brand new lot, to handle the big events, unless we want to turn a lot of people
away. Where would it be put and how would it be paid for?
Best wishes,
Steve
hr.
Subject: Re: Magee Marsh and Crane Creek
Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 11:17:03 -0400
I was about to compose an e-mail to address this issue when I read Steve
Edinger's comments, which said much of what I was going to say.
The current parking lot at the nature center is not nearly big enough for
all the cars which currently use the parking near the boardwalk. New parking
would either destroy additional habitat, or it would have to be outside the
current Magee Marsh Wildlife Area.
Building additional parking would be very expensive, as would creating and
operating a shuttle to the boardwalk. Where would this money come from?
Apparently DOW has already planned to close off part of the current parking
and let it revert to nature. The cost of this would be minimal, and allow
DOW's limited funds to be used for other purposes.
It would be great to keep cars out of the area and bus people in to see the
birds, but let's accept what DOW proposes and be thankful for that.
Gene
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