Cleveland Metroparks announced today it received a $250,000 donation for a new play area and family gathering space at Upper Edgewater Park in Lakefront Reservation that will serve children of all ages and abilities. The generous gift was made by entrepreneur and CEO of Everstream Brett Lindsey and his family.
When built, the new play area will feature multiple play zones, ADA accessible features, a paved loop trail, climbing towers and play structures that align with the natural character of the park. The play area will also include ample seating, shade and nature-based play.
Lindsey’s gift represents half of the cost of the proposed playground.
“My fiancé, Teresa, and I are very excited to see the new play area become possible and look forward to seeing our children and thousands of others playing at Edgewater. I’m challenging the community to raise the additional $250,000 needed to get it built,” said Lindsey, a father and longtime Cleveland resident.
The goal is to open the playground in summer 2019.
Over the last five years, Cleveland Metroparks has transformed Edgewater Park into a regional destination for people of all ages to enjoy. Edgewater Park saw record visitation in 2017 with more than 1.5 million guests coming to swim, fish, stand up paddleboard, enjoy a concert, walk or ride the trails, catch a sunset and more. Recent community improvements such as Edgewater Beach House and its community connector, Edgewater Nature Shop, Edgewater Book Box and more have helped position the park as a regional destination.
“We are so thankful for Mr. Lindsey’s gift and the generosity of all of our donors,” said Chief Development Officer Natalie Ronayne. “Because of their philanthropy and shared belief in our mission, we are able to have a greater impact in the areas of conservation, education and recreation across the Park District.”
Other donor-driven projects completed in recent years, include the Trailside Program Center in Brecksville Reservation, Raptor Aviary in North Chagrin Reservation, the Fort Hill Stairs in Rocky River Reservation and the ever-popular NatureTracks mobile outreach unit.
To learn more about the Edgewater play area project, please visit
www.clevelandmetroparks.com/edgewaterplayarea.
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