The Nature Preserve At Dike 14
Keeping The Shoreline Natural!

By Robert Carillio with help from Bill Gruber

I frequently hear talk about what Cleveland’s lakefront lacks in terms of human-made development; however, in such discussion, we often forget to recognize what the lakeshore within the city proper DOES offer regarding the natural component that can be integrated into future development plans to offer a truly diverse and dynamic metro-shoreline. Sometimes we neglect to appreciate gazing across less disturbed segments of the shore.

An experience of the sound of waves, breezes, sea birds or the site of a setting orange sun with a crystal blue background and overlapping streaks of clouds seemingly in an oasis unspoiled by human hands makes for the perfect backdrop which enhances the romantic side of the shoreline. Indeed, a greener lakefront, even in a densely populated area, will never go out of style!

For so many people, natural buffer areas provide a place of solace amidst the chaos, pollution and noise inherent in city and, especially, suburban life as sprawl increasingly consumes our metro area’s buffer zones.

The capacity for hiking, biking, kayaking, photography, nature observation, educational opportunities… AND, air and water cleansing forested zones are just some of the positive attributes of leaving parts of a waterfront alone. It may be be anecdotal to note, but, for those who can only see economic benefit in paving paradise to put up a parking lot, people do spend money on accessorizing many of the above recreational interests; money that can be spent at local stores which provide products for such recreations.

These elements of a lakefront are attractive to potential new Cleveland residents as well. But, there is a misguided chamber-driven notion in our culture that suggests that a piece of land must be worthless unless it is built upon — and, in a city like Cleveland, which has not exactly had the best history in being sensitive to ideas such as preserving or restoring our shoreline, maybe it’s time to adopt a new way of thinking in 2012 so we can reap new benefits… environmentally, socially and economically.

Cities that have embraced integrating the green with the developed waterfront — and developing in such a way that would lessen impacts on water resources — both nationally and around the globe bask in the glow of positive praise. Such praise can be an illuminating stark turnaround and continued improvement for the image of Cleveland. We all know that a polluted river has done nothing to benefit our image in any way.

How about Cleveland’s natural COOL shoreline?

Yes, even in Cleveland right NOW there are places along our shoreline where we can seek natural refuge right in the middle of the city and that qualify as the kind of areas I described above. Besides the state parks or Wendy Park, one place to spotlight is the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve at Dike 14 — a former harbor dredge disposal site which has been closed since 1999. Since then, nature has slowly reclaimed this 88-acre site. I view this as one of Cleveland’s best kept secrets; a true hidden treasure!

The Nature Preserve At Dike 14

From 1979 through 1999, the Army Corps of Engineers placed sediments dredged from the Cuyahoga River and Cleveland’s Harbor into an area behind dike walls known as a Confined Disposal Facility (CDF). This particular CDF was known as Dike 14. Over the years nature reclaimed and the sediments became covered with a remarkable diversity of plants and animals!

The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve is a wild place on the shore of Lake Erie, just a few miles east of the heart of downtown Cleveland. It is located next to Gordon Lakefront State Park, just north of I-90 off Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and North Marginal Rd. It is the only natural area for 100 miles along Northeast Ohio’s developed Lake Erie shoreline, between Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve on the east, and Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve in Huron to the west.

A brief history of the preserve

At the end of 2004, the Cleveland Planning Commission adopted the Cleveland Waterfront District Plan, which identified Dike 14 as a “nature preserve.” The City then hired a consultant to prepare a specific plan for Dike 14, which was completed by 2007. At the end of 2007, a grant which paid for an environmental risk assessment at Dike 14 found that its proposed use as a passive park posed no risk to human health.

Finally, in 2010, the Cleveland Planning Commission unanimously adopted the EEC’s plan proposed by a group of institutions providing environmental education called the Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative for what was now called the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve (at Dike 14). In my opinion, it will be places like Dike 14 that are most rare in the future along the shores of Lake Erie that will make our city the most attractive and intriguing it can be. A true testament and example of Cleveland’s and Lake Erie’s natural heritage.

Bio-diversity in a city is COOL… and it creates a real “DiverCITY!”

I have visited Sydney, Australia, quite a few times and find it really endearing how the locals revere their shoreline and bio-diversity found directly in the city. I discovered that from conversations with many people, visiting many natural areas around the city, and just by simply seeing it first hand right in front of me, there really does seem to be a widespread regard and sort of pride for how remarkably clean their beaches are—as well as how remarkably diverse the “city-friendly” wildlife is! Indeed, most people find this as a “cool” part of what makes the place special!

In contrast, I have found most here devoid of any understanding or appreciation of our natural heritage and how it can co-exist and enhance the attractiveness and economic value of the city. I would one day like to see Cleveland embrace a similar appreciation as Sydney; disconnect from our disconnected past with our water resources… and welcome and adopt a better understanding of our own local bio-diversity/natural heritage and what it means to preserve these treasures.

I would like to see more of our population in NEO discover the importance of a more bio-diverse and healthy shoreline and aquatic ecosystem.

Keeping water resources clean is not just a one-off job we did in the early ’70s. We can’t simply sit on our laurels and brag about how once “we cleaned-up the Cuyahoga.” Stewardship for our local environment is a continued job in a consumer society that continually poses new threats — and a job that cannot afford to be subject to complacency.

So, what does Dike-14 boast in COOL bio-diversity and the natural heritage of Cleveland?

Over the years, the Dike 14 Nature Preserve became such a significant attraction for birds, that in October 2000 it became the first area in Ohio named by the Audubon Society as an “Important Birding Area” (IBA). It has been identified by experts as a “high performance” migratory site due to the number and diversity of bird species that have used the multiple habitats at the Preserve. Few high quality stopover sites remain along the Cleveland Metropolitan area’s highly urbanized shoreline.

More than 200 species of birds, 29 species of butterflies, 26 native plant species, 16 mammals, 9 native tree and shrub species and 2 reptile species have been found at the Preserve. These areas are crucial to the survival of a species and provides them with a safe passageway through our urban area; sort of acting like a “natural highway!”

How can I help preserve the preserve?

I thought it important to mention this last question, and save it for last, because many of the simple ideas and ideals of preserving a preserve — like respecting the calm, not littering and leaving any trace in a nature preserve — for many, have seemed to erode from their personal characters and daily practices. Think about this the next time you see litter on a beach, in a metro-park, or even on the street.

Take note to how unconscionably someone tosses a cigarette butt onto the ground, or pitches their bag of fast food litter or plastic pop bottles out of a car window. There are many elements of pollution we, as individuals, may not be able to personally control; however, there are many that are totally in our control and so easily preventable.

So, when planning a visit to the preserve, you may want to respect the calm by either leaving your electronic gadgets at home, or at least by switching them to silent. Please remain on designated trail areas, and respect the surrounding wildlife by speaking quietly if in a group. Do not litter and better yet, bring re-usable beverage containers instead of any kind of bottled beverage. No alcohol is permitted in this preserve.

As the old adage goes, leave only footprints and take only memories. Cleveland needs to demonstrate better pride in its shoreline, so, if we are going to “re-connect” with it, we can start re-connecting by learning what it means to take care of it. Take pride in this wonderful Cleveland treasure. Pride is, after all, free! The Nature Preserve at Dike 14 is indeed a great example of “Cool Cleveland” and let’s keep it this way!

Who manages Dike 14 and how do I arrange to visit?

The Port Authority is the main steward in control of the Preserve, which at this time is not open to the public. However, public open houses are held twice a year usually in the spring and fall and the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve frequently hosts special programming events.

For more information about the Nature Preserve At Dike 14 or to arrange a visit, please contact members of the Dike 14 Environmental Education Collaborative (EEC) or contact Brian Lynch, Vice President of Planning & Development, at brian.lynchATportofcleveland.com. Special thanks to Bill Gruber for important contributions to this article. http://Dike14.org.

Robert Carillio is a former Ohio Regional Contact for The North American Native Fishes Association, avid self-taught naturalist, native fish enthusiast/advocate of 23 years, and volunteer for Gardens Under Glass in downtown Cleveland. For information on field trips to local streams, please contact Robert at riverlover33@yahoo.com. Visit his blog at http://QualityChatter.com.

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