September 9,
2001
READER'S FORUM;
TOWHEAD ISLAND IS WORTHY OF SAVING
I am writing about last Sunday's
editorial, ``Bad trade for Towhead.'' Let me state up front that I hope
there is other land, say in Jefferson County's Riverport, that could be
used to trade for Towhead Island. In an ideal world, the land that
surrounds the Beargrass confluence should be saved as parkland. With
that said, I believe that Towhead Island is much more than ``an
uncertain value in the public domain.'' Towhead is worthy of saving.
Several years ago, during the initial planning of Waterfront Park, plans
were developed to build a bridge to the island and high rise apartments
on it. More recently, there has been talk of an entertainment center and
bar called the ``Sand Bar,'' as well as 15 or so permanent floating
houses. I believe the island needs to be in public hands and/or have
strict conservation easements on it.
In the editorial, you say the surest
way to destroy Towhead is to make it accessible. The surest way to
destroy Towhead's natural area is to build high-rise apartments on it. I
question this assumption. Brainard Palmer-Ball, with the Kentucky Nature
Preserves Commission, says that with the high use of Waterfront Park,
barge traffic, Thunder Over Louisville and the interstate, most of the
sensitive bird species have already moved on. Palmer-Ball says that
having Towhead Island accessible or not, would not make a difference on
the bird populations. Gary Michael, with the Beckham Bird Club, helped
craft the Beargrass Creek Restoration Plan. Under his leadership, the
Beckham Bird Club designed an alternative for Eva Bandman Park, which
would transform the area into a ``wonderful wetland for birds.'' So
instead of destroying the overall area, the Mayor's plan would enhance
birding in the overall area.
The Beargrass Creek Restoration Task Force believes that educational and
passive use of the island would enhance the entire area. Downstream the
park is manicured and for large crowds, upstream around the confluence
of Beargrass Creek, including Towhead Island could be ideal for hiking,
bird watching, environmental study and other passive recreation and
educational pursuits.
The Mayor should be applauded for his foresight in working to save the
island from development. Through his leadership, Beargrass Creek and its
confluence area will be cleaned up and, I believe, ``saved'' for all of
us to enjoy and to share with our urban wildlife neighbors. He is making
downtown Louisville a place to live, work and play.
DAVID WICKS
Member of the Mayor's
Beargrass Creek Task Force
Prospect, Ky. 40059