Below is one of at least 4 knocked down and driven on stakes that were intended to indicate the edge for the protection area of the endangered plant species - rose pink. |
Following the 2004 Consent Judgment Ruling: "Deal will protect rest of Klock" Herald Palladium - January 28, 2004 "The Friends of Jean Klock Park are disappointed that any development, however small and restricted, will be allowed in the park. However, we are pleased that this settlement will finally, once and for all, put an end to periodic attempts over the years to sell off or otherwise profit from this important piece of the heritage of the southwestern Michigan area." -- RONALD TAYLOR Chief Trial Judge (Ret) Berrien County |
2007 YouTube Video 2009 YouTube Video Please visit our sister website - Protect JKP |
Save Jean Klock Park
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THE RECKLESS DESTRUCTION OF JEAN KLOCK PARK'S GLOBALLY RARE NATURAL RESOURCES FOR A JACK NICKLAUS SIGNATURE GOLF COURSE HAS BEGUN WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW MORE THAN EVER! |
To the left is a photo of a soon to
be removed picnic facility that is
located behind the south dune.
As you can see, this little setting
in the Park was particularly
stunning last autumn.
The metal stakes to the right of
the photo were placed there by a
park defender to deter 4 wheel
drive and ATV vehicles from
driving into the fragile dune
area.
Instead, construction equipment
moved in and within a matter of
hours the area was stripped and
raped of all vegetation.
be removed picnic facility that is
located behind the south dune.
As you can see, this little setting
in the Park was particularly
stunning last autumn.
The metal stakes to the right of
the photo were placed there by a
park defender to deter 4 wheel
drive and ATV vehicles from
driving into the fragile dune
area.
Instead, construction equipment
moved in and within a matter of
hours the area was stripped and
raped of all vegetation.
The "Bird Watch Tower"pictured below was once hidden by trees. Now it is the only thing left standing
on the crest of the south dune. This public dune-top destination was not only enjoyed by birder watchers
but by children (imagine that?), dog walkers, lovers, loners, book worms, Sunday paper readers,
nappers, runners, photo bugs, butterfly trackers, plant enthusiasts, etc.
The tower's new designation would be one of a golfer's dune top rest area. It will probably be the perfect
place to pop that cold one that the beer Nazis didn't confiscate when the golfers cross from privately
owned land onto public parkland. The Klock deed restricts alcohol in the park.
on the crest of the south dune. This public dune-top destination was not only enjoyed by birder watchers
but by children (imagine that?), dog walkers, lovers, loners, book worms, Sunday paper readers,
nappers, runners, photo bugs, butterfly trackers, plant enthusiasts, etc.
The tower's new designation would be one of a golfer's dune top rest area. It will probably be the perfect
place to pop that cold one that the beer Nazis didn't confiscate when the golfers cross from privately
owned land onto public parkland. The Klock deed restricts alcohol in the park.
Jean Klock Park had only
retained it's past beauty,
splendor and value because of
the many citizens before us
who fought to protect it. If it
had not been for them and
citzens like us, the City of
Benton Harbor's most precious
and valuable natural coastal
resource would have been
wasted a very, very long time
ago.
retained it's past beauty,
splendor and value because of
the many citizens before us
who fought to protect it. If it
had not been for them and
citzens like us, the City of
Benton Harbor's most precious
and valuable natural coastal
resource would have been
wasted a very, very long time
ago.
In the October 7, 2007 Herald Palladium news article titled "Is it a fair trade?", Mark Mitchell, former trustee
for the Alliance for World-Class communities and a board member of Harbor Shores Redevelopment Inc.,
was quoted as saying: "The golf course is not going to infringe upon the dunes."
for the Alliance for World-Class communities and a board member of Harbor Shores Redevelopment Inc.,
was quoted as saying: "The golf course is not going to infringe upon the dunes."
"We obviously want to preserve the dunes...." Governor Jennifer Granholm - July 29, 2008. Gee...thanks Governor Granholm, |
When the 2004 Consent Judgment was handed down retired Judge Taylor said the "Deal" that was entered into would protect JKP once and for all. If that was true why were we forced to file a new lawsuit to defend the Klock deed and Consent Judgment; why was it dismissed; and why, while the park is being destroyed, are we waiting for an appeal date? |
IT'S STILL NOT A DONE DEAL!
In an attempt to demonstrate to potential investors that Harbor Shores is immune from the deepening recession, and despite the pending State and Federal lawsuits, the developers made their permanent and fatal mark on Jean Klock Park's living ecosystem. Starting the week of March 2nd, 2009, hundreds of mature trees, the life blood of Jean Klock Park's dunes, were yanked out by their roots and destroyed. With a butcher shop mentality Harbor Shores moved in and carved up everything in its path. The trees and plant life were ground and piled in the parking lot like a tray of freshly ground meat. The wetland areas were brush-cut, including the area of the endangered rose pink, and are emanating the sickening smell of massive plant-life carnage. Regardless of the devastation that has taken place we will continue to fight and are committed to reclaiming our public land. |
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| COURTESY OF: HARBOR SHORES COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT INC. (WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION) |
"We have finally come to understand that the real wealth of a
nation is its air, water, soil, forest, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic
beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity. Take this resource away,
and all that is left is a wasteland. That's the whole economy."
2000 -- Gaylord Nelson, former Governor of Wisconsin
nation is its air, water, soil, forest, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic
beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity. Take this resource away,
and all that is left is a wasteland. That's the whole economy."
2000 -- Gaylord Nelson, former Governor of Wisconsin
would you turn your back on them and walk away? We don't believe so. That's how deeply we feel about Jean Klock Park. The developers may be working in dead set earnest to desecrate JKP to the point where they might think that we'll walk away. Despite what has happened to the park we will not give up because - |
we appreciate your environmental diligence!
The Harbor Shores Development is a Cooporative effort between The Alliance for World-Class Communities, (WHIRLPOOL Corporation) Cornerstone Alliance, (WHIRLPOOL Corporation) the Consortium for Community Development, (WHIRLPOOL Corporation) the Whirlpool Foundation, (WHIRLPOOL Corporation) the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Benton Charter Township, (In alliance with the WHIRLPOOL Corporation) Berrien County, and the State of Michigan and others. (In alliance with the WHIRLPOOL Corporation) |
Friends of Jean Klock Park. All rights reserved. Copyright 2009. |