Some of our West Creek residents

Final Report

Video documentary available for viewing. Contact Derek @ 216.749.3720.

See a panoramic view of the entire wetland area - August 2002.

See a panoramic view of the entire wetland area - August 2004.

See pictures of the project in progress.

The West Creek Urban Wetlands Project is a plan to construct and restore a 1-acre wetland at a former landfill in the City of Parma. The West Creek Urban Wetlands Project was developed to protect the vital natural resources of the West Creek Valley, to address environmental issues that face the urban community and ultimately, to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. The goals of the project are:

• Improve the water quality of West Creek, the lower Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie by limiting the transfer of pollutants to West Creek.
• Control storm water runoff by collecting and slowing runoff from the landfill and hard surface areas such as parking lots, rooftops and streets.
• Provide for educational, social and economic benefits.

Recognizing the enormous potential of this project as an educational resource, we hope to provide for a wetland land lab in a highly urbanized area. In addition, we hope to enhance science education by involving students in community oriented, watershed-centered projects. We will emphasize environmental education that extends the classroom to the outdoors and includes interconnected topics experienced by students in the watershed everyday.

In addition, the project addresses the need for public access to greenspace and greenways in a highly urbanized area. Finally, it will enhance the quality of life by improving water quality, protecting wildlife and plant habitat, and managing the effects of urbanization.

Project Coordinator: Professor Terry Greathouse, Cuyahoga Community College

Project Partners: City of Parma, Cuyahoga Community College, West Creek Preservation Committee, H.B. Engineering Inc., Cuyahoga County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, Cuyahoga River Planning Organization, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Technical Team: Andy Vidra (Northeast Ohio Coordinating Agency), Kelvin Rogers (Ohio EPA)