Cleveland Metroparks has won five national awards for excellence in parks and recreation from the 2019 National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) Awards. The five awards were the most total awards won by a single agency among NACPRO’s more than 100 member agencies across more than 30 states.
Cleveland Metroparks will be recognized for awards across environment, planning, construction and community partners in Castle Rock, Colorado on June 9, 2019.
Cleveland Metroparks will receive the 2019 Environmental/Conservation award for its upcoming addition of more than 70 acres of valuable wetlands, streams and forests that will become part of South Chagrin Reservation. The protection of the land was made possible by a $4.15 million grant by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program.
The Park District also will be recognized with the 2019 Planning Initiative Award for its strategic decision-making across all 18 park reservations. In the last five years, Cleveland Metroparks has updated the park plans for each of its 18 reservations through both an internal and public process. The award recognizes the Park District’s approach that ensures that long-term plans are continuously revisited to best serve park guests.
Look About Lodge in South Chagrin Reservation was constructed in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration in partnership with Cleveland Metroparks and the Cleveland Natural Science Club. Recent work to restore stone columns and the second-floor porch in a design that mimics the original construction of the lodge will be recognized with the first place award for Historical/Cultural Facility. The restoration ensures that the building, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, will be able to serve future generations for lectures, concerts, workshops and science education programs.
Two of Cleveland Metroparks community partners will also receive NACPRO awards in June for their contributions to the Park District. West Creek Conservancy (WCC) led by Derek Schafer has won the Outstanding Support Organization award for their significant efforts in helping to conserve greenspace and manage stormwater. Through the efforts of WCC, West Creek Reservation has grown to 375 acres in 12 years.
Matt Cole, the owner of Fat Head’s Brewery, will receive the Contributor Award for his efforts in creating the Trail Head Pale Ale. A portion of all sales of the Trail Head Pale Ale are donated to Cleveland Metroparks Trails Fund, which helps build and manage sustainable trails across the parks. Since 2013, Cole and Fat Head’s Brewery have contributed more than $125,000 to the Park District.
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