Petition for Change at Clarence Shock Memorial Park at Governor Dick

The board of trustees for Clarence Shock Memorial Park at Governor Dick isfailing in their duties and responsibilities to provide oversight and care for the 1,105-acre county owned property. We demand that the County Commissioners step in before this board does further damage to the land, as well as the reputation to this important county resource.

This board has authorized large timber sales resulting in the degradation of forest health and the diminishment of park visitors experience.  The “forest management practices” recently undertaken are outdated and do not reflect a modern understanding of ecology.  Their stated objective and the justification for these actions is that it will “improve the health of the forest”, this is clearly not the case.

• Heavy logging equipment and haul road construction have degraded extensive areas of forest soils and have damaged roots of remaining trees.
• Increased light levels have primed the forest floor for encroachment of invasive species of grasses, shrubs and trees which will take significant inputs of herbicide and labor to mitigate.
• Increased heat will make the remaining trees in the logged area more prone to drought stress and increased exposure will make the remaining trees more prone to windthrow.
• This board is not representative of the diversity of park users and there are no women or community members of color on the board.
We ask the commissioners for the following:

• Hire a consultant to investigate the activities of this board to ensure that they are maintaining a high standard of ethics and legality. Also investigate the no-bid relationship they maintain with the forester.
• Hire a conservation organization to evaluate the current forest stewardshipplan and the outcomes of the recent timber harvests.  Determine whether such activities are justifiable in regards to the deed of trust set forth by the park’s founder, Clarence shock.
• If evidence is found of wrongdoing by the board, oust them and appoint a new board of directors that are representative of the diversity of users that have long cherished this park.
• Establish term limits.
• Re-establish the mission of Clarence Shock memorial park with a focus onrecreation and environmental education.