West Creek Preserve/Metroparks Public Meeting - January 12, 2005

Cleveland Metroparks Presents Plans for West Creek Preserve

In a joint meeting of the Cleveland Metroparks, the City of Parma, and West Creek Preservation Committee a plan for the development of West Creek Preserve as a part of the Cleveland Metroparks was presented to the residents of the area. The meeting was held on January 12, 2005 at the Schaaf Community Center.

Mr. Vern Hartenburg, Executive Director of Cleveland Metroparks began the meeting, noting that the cooperation of the three groups involved in this planning was a key ingredient in making progress. Mr. Hartenburg introduced Mayor Dean DePiero of the City of Parma, who praised the work that had produced the plan and noted that “we are making history” and the efforts and results will reach far into the future. Mr. Dave Lincheck, Acting Director of West Creek Preservation Committee, echoed the remarks made by Mayor DePiero that the cooperative efforts of the three groups will have impact far into the future.

The next step in the process is to finalize the plan with discussions of the three work groups with representation from the three agencies. Documents and real estate agreements regarding West Creek Preserve will be in the hands of the attorneys representing each group. When the documents are finalized, all three agencies, the Cleveland Metroparks, the City of Parma, and West Creek Preservation Committee, must review and agree to the master plan.

Mr. Hartenburg gave a timeline for the construction documents to be ready in 2006. Actual construction would begin in 2007 or 2008. The estimated price tag for the improvements is eight to ten million dollars.

Ms. Patty Stevens, Chief of Park Planning for the Cleveland Metroparks began the presentation of the plan by recapping the results of previous meetings. Ms. Stevens had prepared maps of West Creek Preserve showing aspects of the proposed improvements. Copies of these maps were given to everyone in attendance. With the help of Dr. Dan Petit, Chief of Natural Resources for the Cleveland Metroparks, and Dr. Robert Hinkle, Chief of Outdoor Education for the Cleveland Metroparks, Ms. Stevens explained the maps and the information on them.

One major change is to move the entrance farther east on Ridgewood Drive, to provide a better view of traffic. A road would lead to the Stewardship Center, which would overlook the wetlands and provide a view of the forty acre meadow, a rare expanse in Cuyahoga County. The Stewardship Center is one step beyond a nature center. It will promote innovative community participation, environmental education, scientific discovery, and stewardship of the West Creek Watershed area. There will be one all-purpose trail, approximately two miles long, running north/south from Ridgewood Drive to Pleasant Valley. Walking trails will open the Gannett Woods to hikers and overlooks will provide a view north to Cleveland and Lake Erie. There will be neighborhood access to the all-purpose trail, as well as hiking trails that will loop throughout the Preserve.

The Stewardship Center will have meeting rooms, classrooms, indoor activity space, and a deck for outdoor activities. The building will be similar to the structure at Canal Way. Parking will be adjacent to the Stewardship Center with a small parking area near the entrance where a picnic area and shelter are proposed.

West Creek Preservation Committee will continue its efforts to extend the trail from West Creek Preserve to the Cuyahoga Valley Tow Path Trail.