The West Creek Reservation Watershed Partnership is one of two recipients of the prestigious Great Lakes Park Training Institute's Park, Facility and Recreation Program Award.
The Great Lakes Parks Training Institute (GLPTI), with Indiana University annually presents the Great Lakes Park, Facility, and Recreation Program Award in recognition of park facilities and programs completed within the last five years that represent the cutting-edge of the leisure movement throughout the United States. These projects will represent innovative, cost effective design; demonstrate the utilization of community input and resources; and provide a significant impact on their community and agency.
Cleveland Metroparks Senior Natural Resources Manager Jennifer Grieser accepted the honor on February 23 at the Institute at Pokagon State Park in Angola, Indiana.
Grieser submitted a nomination for the West Creek Reservation Watershed Partnership, including the West Creek Conservancy (WCC) and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD). The nomination outlined the project's mission and many successes.
According to Cleveland Metroparks Director of Natural Resources Dr. Terry L. Robison, "The GLPTI was especially impressed with the partnership between Cleveland Metroparks, the NEORSD and the WCC. Also, they were impressed by the project's many successes. Especially in providing more opportunities for recreation for the community, and the partnership's emphasis on restoration efforts in the area."
Cleveland Metroparks educates the region on their interconnectedness to watersheds through the Watershed Stewardship Center, located at 2277 West Ridgewood Drive, Parma. Science-based programs invite teachers, students, professionals and the public to learn about replicable storm water management methods. The Watershed Stewardship Center in West Creek Reservation, staffed by natural resource and education professionals, land protection specialists, volunteers, and visiting scientists, is the first facility in Cleveland Metroparks dedicated to scientific research and promoting sustainable action. Its mission is to enhance and protect our urban watersheds.
"The Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek is a great example of two public entities and a non-profit pulling its resources together on a forward-thinking and innovative project, and this award recognizes that achievement," said Julius Ciaccia, Chief Executive Officer for the NEORSD. "It also highlights the center's role in providing a great recreational space for residents, professionals, students and others to learn best practices in watershed management."
Added WCC Executive Director Derek Schafer, "The recent award by the GLPTI is yet another testament to not only the value of the Watershed Stewardship Center, but also its unique operation and role in the community, and we're thrilled to be a part of it. We're sincerely appreciative of our partners, the Cleveland Metroparks, NEORSD, and the City of Parma."