Give me a break!! These balls fields need to be used this year 2013 not in 2014, Get a Malacologist in now to move the mollusks before mating season and get the bridge done over this winter. Kent is loosing a lot of money due to teams coming to Kent to play baseball and eating here. But oh no let's do the eating plaza downtown. What a joke council has done to the city--from the eateries down town to not getting the bridge fixed for 3+ seasons.

When the city closed the bridge in April 2011, I might have been the last person to legally cross it when walking my dog. I had a chat with a city employee who put up the signs and barricades, and he told me that the bridge had unexpectedly been condemned by an inspector. He had heard that the city already had federal funding approved for replacement of the bridge in 2013, which would mean re-opening of the baseball fields not before 2014. We both found it hard to imagine for the busy ball fields to be closed that long, and hoped that the city would do its utmost to move that date forward. It now seems with all the construction going on downtown, the baseball field was not a priority.

I really have to commend the planners for considering the ecology of the river in this project. The Cuyahoga River is a complex ecosystem, even in downtown Kent, and the mussels are an important food source for many animals here. Their reproductive cycle depends on a healthy fish population and undisturbed sediment. I've been studying the mussels in that stretch of the river for a fewf years, and there are 7 species of mussel living there - incredible diversity for a waterway with such a troubled history. Mussels are an indication of a healthy river and they should be protected.

GIVE ME A BREAK TREE HUGGERS! Let's eat the mussels and start the bridge. Next we will be worrying about the mating season of the mosquitoes!

About a month ago I was told that bids for construction would be let in February of 2013 and construction would be complete by fall. Obviously that would have meant that the little guys couldn't play until 2014. Although the result will be the same, what a joke that the mussels are such a big consideration. I would guess you'll find them throughout the Cuyahoga River. Something tells me their population wouldn't be much affected. Perhaps the mussels provide a tourist site for visitors. I'll bet people will line up for that!

Dale P.

Mussels are more important then our kids. NICE!!!!!

What mussles at risk. Maybe the EPA should rebuild the dam to protect the water level that they existed in for decades.

I suppose getting a grade-level crossing of the tracks and entering from the east side is out of the question, huh? Seems like it might be easier to cross the tracks than bridge the river, and the mussels can have their happy place.

I am confused as to why this was discussed at city council. Parks and Recreation in Kent are a seperate entity and the only time the city needs to be involved is to purchase property as parks and rec. aren't permitted to do so.
Also why wasn't the construction that is just being finished for the hike and bike trail that is actually tied into the very edge of the bridge and along the mucky river bank in question and took place over the summer, not effecting the mussles?

Mr. Bard is right on both points. (OMG, I cannot believe I said that) Parks & Rec is a separate entity with it's own funding (well, the same source), board and not part of Council. As I recall there was a motion to streamline government and incorporate P&R into Kent City Council's area on influence, but that was rejected.
As to the mussels and their world. The bank of the river and the muddy riverbed were both disrupted and altered right up to the bridge! Maybe the mussels were on vacation! Maybe the new bridge whould be part of the Hike/Bike Highway, then no problem.

Oh--that is an excellent idea--the bridge will be replaced quicker if the hike and bike trail needs it. Our children are are leaders of tomorrow and if you don't believe baseball is very important to these children then maybe you should never have boys. Build the bridge this winter and let the kids play ball in the summer of 2013!

To say that Kramer fields being closed hasn’t impacted baseball is a joke. As a parent who has for the past couple years now watched my son play on elementary school fields that are not setup for competitive baseball, to not have enough practices because all the fields are booked and double bookings of fields, it has been frustrating. Most parents will tell you that the baseball/softball in Kent has become a joke and have left to play competitively elsewhere, going to travel ball if they can afford it or other cities to play (Ravenna). The number of players and teams in Kent has dropped significantly and the quality of the baseball program has become subpar.

There was always something special about playing ball at Kramer fields. It had dug-outs and a concession stand and it seemed like a "real" field compared to the other fields in Kent. It is a shame that it hasn't been used for so long and won't be for some time. I have tried to take my kids over there to show them what it's like and that isn't possible. Also, there are geocaches in the area that are impossible to get to without the bridge access.