SierraScape September 2015 - February 2016
Back to Table of Contents
by Toni Armstrong
Secretary
Eastern Missouri Group
The area around Creve Coeur Park, the flood plain called Howard Bend has been slated for development. We don't think a large office park, retail mall with large parking areas is compatible with the park or a flood plain.
For the last seven years, development of the floodplain around Creve Coeur Park has been hampered by the economy. With the economy slowly recovering, the development demand is re-emerging. A new housing development of 1000 residents is being considered by the city of Maryland Heights.
Maryland Heights Residents for Responsible Growth along with support from the Eastern Missouri Group of the Sierra Club commissioned a Feasibility Study of Sustainable Development and Conservation for Maryland Heights, as assessment of Green Infrastructure for Howard Bend, now named Maryland Lake Park. The study was prepared by the i5 Group, a community planning firm based in St. Louis.
The feasibility study is a concise, high level document that outlines opportunities and a process for future sustainable development and conservation in the Maryland Park Lake District. This report does not make specific recommendations for the type of sustainable development or where conservation should occur, it recommends that a full green infrastructure plan and ecosystem evaluation be conducted. See a copy of report by visiting www.marylandheightsresidents.com
If you are a resident of Maryland Heights, we need you to contact your City Council member. The city is divided into 4 wards and each ward is represented by 2 council members.
Tell your council members that you
- Support more green space in the Howard Bend/Maryland Lake Park area, especially around Creve Coeur Park
- Ask them to support and fund a full green infrastructure plan for the Howard Bend/Maryland Lake Park area. The plan will cost money, but grant money is frequently available for such work.
Ward 1
Ken Gold: 434-2543
Don Hunt: 878-8579
Ward 2
Kim Baker: 275-4954
Ed Dirck: 878-9001
Ward 3
Chuck Caverly: 566-0424
Angela McCormick: 882-1436
Ward 4
Jim Carver: 291-8958 Norm Rhea: 739-0096
As one of the largest undeveloped areas in the St. Louis metropolitan region, NOW is a once in a lifetime opportunity to promote sustainable development that will create value for landowners, the city, the region, habitat, and wildlife for generations to come.