FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2001
Contact:
Chris Bunch
Executive Director
Medina Summit Land Conservancy
Ph: (330) 722-7313
Email: info@mslconservancy.org
Conservancy Protects Critical Wetlands and Yellow Creek in Richfield
The Medina Summit Land Conservancy has permanently protected 40 acres of land that includes over 3800' of the North Fork of the Yellow Creek and 23 acres of high quality wetlands in the Village of Richfield. A conservation easement protecting the land was granted by the Pawuk family, who are jointly developing Stonegate Corporate Park office complex on neighboring land in partnership with the Mockbee family, owners of CAM, Incorporated, a major development company in the region.
The protected property is at the westernmost edge of the project, which is located off Brecksville Road just south of the 271 interchange in the village of Richfield. The conservation easement was granted to offset development impacts in another area of the development. The conservation easement ensures that the high quality wetlands and the sensitive riparian area of the Yellow Creek, which feeds into the Cuyahoga River, will be protected forever from development and other impacts.
"This is an outstanding piece of conservation", said Christopher Bunch, Executive Director of the conservancy. "These wetlands are critical to protecting the integrity of the creek, and they provide habitat for all sorts of wildlife. We are very focused on protecting our critical water resources and are always excited when we can do so much at one time. It also fits in nicely with other efforts to protect the Yellow Creek and with other properties that are already protected in the area".
In addition to the conservation easement, the Stonegate project is deeding 23 acres of the protected property to the Village of Richfield. The conservation easement will protect the land from being built upon, but leaves open the opportunity for the village to create a system of low impact nature trails on the property, which may some day connect with other trail efforts in the region.
Richfield mayor Don Larsen is pleased with outcome of the project. In addition to protecting the critical natural resource values, the conservation easement also helps to guide the path of development and provides some buffer to neighboring properties. "For the village to enter into this agreement that creates a conservation easement is a milestone for the future," Larsen said. "It is through efforts such as these that we can help protect existing neighborhoods from the intrusion of developing nearby properties."
As an added bonus, the project was formally concluded at the premier of the "Land: Our Heritage, Our Legacy" art exhibit being held to benefit the conservancy at the Harris Stanton Gallery in Akron. Jay Porter, attorney for the Pawuk's, head of the real estate division at the Brouse McDowell law firm in Akron and a guest at the premier, brought the documents with him for the formal signing by conservancy president Cynthia Szunyog. "The timing worked out great," said Bunch. "We couldn't have asked for better. In addition to seeing the outstanding artworks and meeting other people who are committed to sustaining our natural heritage, people who attended the premier were able to partake in the satisfaction of successfully concluding a major project".