prestigious Petoskey Prize for Environmental Leadership from the Michigan Environmental Council. The award was presented to Ms. Drake by Lana Pollack, President of MEC. Drake was recognized for her steadfast commitment and organization of a local citizen’s grassroots efforts to save their spectacular Lake Michigan Jean Klock Park from a developer’s golf course. "In facing the almost daily challenges the developers put before her, Drake displays the ‘commitment, creativity and courage’ that the Petoskey Prize recognizes each year," Lana Pollack stated. In her acceptance speech, Drake explained, "The Lake Michigan shoreline and its adjacent coastal resources are a global wonder and an irreplaceable natural resource. Unfortunately, the majority of the Michigan shoreline has been lost to commercial, industrial and residential development. But scattered between these privately owned developments are extremely special public lands. They are ‘Places That Matter.’ And because the public has so little of the shoreline left to enjoy, these remaining places are in dire need of protection. Jean Klock Park in Benton Harbor, Michigan, is one of these increasingly rare and very special places." Ms. Drake was awarded $5,000 to donate to the organization of her choice, "A Proclamation" plaque, and a natural Petoskey stone in a handcrafted stone box. You can read more about this award recipient in the 2008 Michigan Environmental Report. The following was included in the evening's program literature: "Real heroes in the environment movement are the everyday people fighting to protect their local natural resources. Carol Drake, co-founder of Friends of Jean Klock Park in Benton Harbor, has worked tirelessly to protect a public Lake Michigan park in Benton Harbor. Her leadership has brought together citizens and resources throughout the Benton Harbor community and beyond to rally around this beloved park."
Project and Technical Assistance Grant for $5,500.00 from the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network Fund (GLAHNF).
and in 2008 awarded the Friends of Jean Klock Park another Project and Technical Assistance Grant for $4,000.00. Freshwater Future also granted us a $500 "Special Opportunity" grant so that we could hold informational meetings prior to the 2008 public hearing regarding the conversion and mitigation of Jean Klock Park for a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. Visit Freshwater Future at: http://www.glhabitat.org/index.html |
| Our legal challenge is continuing - our fight is not over! |
Our Mission
- To preserve the existing natural resource of
Jean Klock Park and promote its use for
future generations, forever.
To ensure Jean Klock Park will be seen as
an oasis of undisturbed natural land, and
use, and to educate the public of the
importance of preserving the park's
environment, but also of the long term
benefits to the health and welfare of all
humankind when valuable natural resources
are left undisturbed.
- Our Organization
Friends of Jean Klock Park is committed to
protect, maintain, and enhance the existing
natural beauty of Jean Klock Park, and to
promote its use as a public beach and park
for the children and citizens of Benton
Harbor, MI, and surrounding communities,
as was the intent of John and Carrie Klock
when they gifted the Park to the city of
Benton Harbor on May 4, 1917.
The Friends of Jean Klock Park include all
and everyone who is opposed to further
encroachment of Jean Klock Park. We
The Petoskey Prize |
| Great Lakes Ally of the Year |
| Save Jean Klock Park |
| Save Jean Klock Park |
| Our legal challenge is continuing - our fight is not over! |
Friends of Jean Klock Park | PO Box 8988 | Benton Harbor, MI 49023 info@savejeanklockpark.org | www.savejeanklockpark.org © 2009 Friends of Jean Klock Park. All Rights Reserved. |
| Help us stop the destruction of these dunes. TAKE ACTION! |
- The following fall Ms. Drake was one of three
individuals who were chosen by the Alliance
for the Great Lakes as a Great Lakes Ally of
the Year "Awardee." The awards were
presented in October of 2008 during a "Great
Lakes Bash" at Camp Blodgett on the shores
of our beautiful Lake Michigan.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| About Us and Our Mission |
- believe that through the collaborative effort of public participation we can preserve
Jean Klock Park and restore its use as a local, regional and world class tourist
destination.Friends of Jean Klock Park is committed to protect, maintain, and
enhance the existing natural beauty of Jean Klock Park, and to promote its use as a
public beach and park for the children and citizens of Benton Harbor, MI, and
surrounding communities, as was the intent of John and Carrie Klock when they
gifted the Park to the city of Benton Harbor on May 4, 1917.