From: The Committee for the Preservation of Veterans Park Pond – Mentor, OH

To:       All Friends and Neighbors

The pictures below are from 2016 and 2022.  The 2022 picture on the right, with a similar angle, represents the condition of the pond today.

We have met with the Director of the park and have had numerous phone calls with them.  The following represents his written commitment to our Committee.

Park solution:  Spray only the lily pads at total cost of $3,500.  The Lake County Metroparks annual budget is 25 MILLION Dollars.  Their solution is unacceptable.

The Committee solution:  There are companies that will sell the equipment for what is called a “topical harvest”.  The equipment will dredge the bottom of the pond of all invasive materials and pull the vegetation to the surface of the water. The equipment can then push it to the pond bank, to be removed or buried on site, thus returning the pond to its natural state (see attached brochure). This can be accomplished for $90,000, will cleanse the pond for years to come and accomplish the following:

1.     The Park would own the equipment

2.     It could be utilized on all of the Parks’ Ponds and comes with a “carry all” to facilitate its movement from pond to pond.  It also comes with training

3.     The equipment can be financed over time to minimally affect the Park budget in the short term.  The equipment can also be an asset for years to come.

Questions and Answers:

1.     What about the water depth?

ANSWER: the depth will not change, and no water will be added by any outside source.  The pond will remain the Lake Metro Parks responsibility

2.     What about the fish population?

ANSWER: There will be no damage to the fish population. In fact, it will increase the amount of air available in the water, which will AID the fish population.

Veterans Park Pond is the largest pond in all of Lake County and is valued asset to our community.  The Lake County Metroparks has leased this property from the city of Mentor and in return promised to be its custodial guardian for 99 years.  They have failed miserable in their obligation. 

Call to action!

If you agree with the Committee, please do the following:

1.     Call the Lake County Metroparks at 440-639-7275 and make your voice heard about Mr. Paul Palagyi’s lack of stewardship regarding the Veterans Park Pond

2.     Sign our petition in one of two ways (please only use one or the other -  not both):

a.     IN PERSON: you want to help us get signatures or sign our petition.  Contact:

         Mr. Ralph Day, 8151 Plains Road, Mentor OH 44060, 440-257-6903

b.     ONLINE: change.org/SaveVeteransParkPond

3.     Join our facebook page and share with friends for information and updates.  Join our group!   www.facebook.com/groups/saveveteranspond

Thank you for your time and support!

The Committee for the Preservation of Veterans Park Pond – Mentor, OH