Babcock Property purchased by and gifted to City of Pepper Pike by family of Stanley L. and Eloise M. Morgan

Greetings (and Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating!).

I received the press release (published in its entirety) from the Mayor this evening with the news about the disposition of what has often been referred to as the Babcock Property located on the eastern side of Lander Circle between Chagrin and Pinetree.  Please read the release for the details which the Mayor has shared. I was so excited by the news, I knew that there would be residents who would be equally interested and excited. I have no doubt that plenty of information will be forthcoming after the holidays pass but I do want to express gratitude to the family of Stanley L. and Eloise M. Morgan for this incredible act.

Please have a safe and joyous holiday season.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   December 24, 2012

CONTACT:  MAYOR RICHARD BAIN

CITY OF PEPPER PIKE

216 896-6126

Press Release:

The City of Pepper Pike is very happy to announce it is receiving a gift of land for use as a city park. The park has been purchased from Garfield Memorial Church and donated to the city in memory of their parents by the family of Stanley L. and Eloise M. Morgan.  Known by many in the community as the former Mary Babcock property, it is located adjacent to Lander Circle at the intersection of Chagrin Blvd, Pinetree Rd. and Lander Rd. It consists of approximately 1.6 acres, and includes a meandering creek, woodland trees, shed and a 2000 square foot house constructed in the early 1900s.   

Pepper Pike Mayor Richard Bain said, “This land sits at the southern gateway to Pepper Pike and is an important historic link to the past. This site was at the heart of the original Orange Township. The site has been in constant use since the early 19^th century and apparently functioned as part of a farm for which foundation stones still exist. In this immediate area stood the township’s first shops and church. The graves of its early settlers dating to the mid 19^th century still remain, and later the electric Interurban Railway ran through here. This very generous gift will allow us to preserve a green gateway to Pepper Pike and enhance the community. We have worked with the family and Garfield Memorial Church to assist in this transpiring and I sincerely thank them for their commitment to the city and salute the family for this wonderful tribute to their parents.”

A Morgan family spokesman stated, “This parcel of land is given to the city of Pepper Pike in memory of Stanley L. and Eloise M. Morgan by their family.  The land is to be used as a park for all residents to enjoy.  Mr. and Mrs. Morgan moved to Pepper Pike in 1957 and resided there until their deaths.  They watched Pepper Pike grow and develop, and would have been pleased that the last green space on Lander Circle will remain that way.”

Mayor Bain further remarked, “We will also be using the park for educational purposes, and working with Chagrin River Watershed Partners to restore the creek and enhance the site. I would like to see in addition, that the park becomes an historic reminder of how the community originated. We will be investigating how best to utilize the park for that purpose. Any residents who have historic knowledge of the site, including records and photographs of the area, or wish to contribute ideas are invited to be in contact with me. A rejuvenated Pepper Pike Historic Society will be established to help with this project. ”

For additional information regarding this Press Release, please contact

Mayor Richard Bain at 216 896-6126

[audio] WCPN Sound of Ideas on Regionalism

Want to know what others in our region are saying about regionalism? According to Mike McIntyre, who hosted WCPN's Sound of Ideas program this morning on the topic:

I have to say we had a lot of e-mails, calls and Web page comments from people who aren't very interested in the concept of sharing.

I have not listened to Shoring Up The Core yet but I am going to shortly. Here's the blurb:

As residents move out and businesses close in older cities like Cleveland, Akron and the inner-ring suburbs around them, they have little chance of renewal without help. So say some mayors in the region who are advocating that tax revenue be shared across city and county boundaries. Burgeoning Avon helps prop up withering Brooklyn? A pipe dream, or a partial solution for saving Northeast Ohio's older and newer communities? The debate Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. on 90.3.

Thomas Bier, senior fellow at Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University
Stephen D. Hambley, Medina County Commissioner
Lynn E. McGill, Mayor of Aurora

Now, WCPN also provides a link to the Regional Prosperity Initiative ("RPI") and without listening to the show, I wont' declare RPI RIP, but its website needs some resuscitation - last news item is from December 2009 and last report (only report I see) is June 2010.  Virtually demonstrating a regional concept would be a win-win. A website can be a terrible thing to waste.

Hattip to Mike McIntyre on Facebook for heads up on this show.  As he suggests, take a look at the comments at WCPN's page for this show.  Add yours there or here.

The Answer Is Not Blowing in the Wind, Yet, In Small Town CT or Ohio

So our local paper had this article recently about blowback against wind turbines and legislating them locally.  And today I read this article about variations on the same theme.

So. Not. Unique.