Park district receives two national top honors
Cleveland Metroparks today announced Joe Roszak, Cleveland Metroparks Chief Operating Officer was named President of the Board of Directors of the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO). As President, Roszak will help develop legislative policy and planning efforts for the 110+ member parks across the United States. He will serve a one-year term effective June 2020 through June 2021.
Additionally, Cleveland Metroparks was honored with two national awards by NACPRO for trail and corridor design and community programming.
Cleveland Metroparks Valley Parkway Connector Trail was awarded the top park award nationally for trail and corridor design. With the completion of the six-mile Valley Parkway Connector Trail in fall 2018, bicyclists and pedestrians now have access to 33 consecutive miles of connected paved off-road shared-use trails before reaching the Towpath Trail, part of the statewide Ohio to Erie Trail, and on to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Trail use has been up in parks nationally during COVID-19. Cleveland Metroparks All Purpose Trail usage has been up over 80% year-over-year when comparing May 2019 to May 2020.
Cleveland Metroparks First People Day event also received the top award for park programs. This nearly decade old tradition celebrates Native stories and culture, amplifying the impact of American Indians on Northeast Ohio history. The immersive celebration held at Rocky River Nature Center, in partnership with the Lake Erie Native American Council, features primitive skills, music, Native dancers, artists and speakers.
Due to COVID-19, the NACPRO 2020 awards banquet was canceled.
NACPRO is a non-profit professional organization that advances official policies that promote county and regional park and recreation issues while providing members with opportunities to network, exchange ideas and best practices, and enhance professional development.
For more information visit
nacpro.org.
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