District One Natural Resources Assistance Council
Round Three Project Descriptions
Bedford Riparian Corridor Enhancement Project
Total Project Cost: $237,000
Clean Ohio Request: $117,750
Acquisition: less than 1 acre
The Bedford Riparian Corridor Enhancement Project will acquire 185 square feet of land that will be a conservation easement and is located near downtown Bedford and along a tributary of Tinker’s Creek.
The land is now used primarily for stormwater retention of the city hall complex and the project aims to reforest the area, create a wetlands, allow access to a riparian corridor, utilize the "grow no mow" concept, and enhance stormwater management. The project also includes a foot trail and a looped nature trail.
Coe Lake Riparian Restoration Project
Total Project Cost: $294,000
Clean Ohio Request: $184,000
Acquisition: None
The Coe Lake Riparian Restoration Project is not an acquisition, but a restoration of the area surrounding Coe Lake in Berea. The land is already owned by the city and is protected for conservation and open space purposes.
The project will utilize bioengineering techniques to stabilize over 2000 lineal feet of eroding shoreline around Coe Lake and plant native vegetation to filter urban runoff. The project will also construct wetland pools to restore a 5 acre forested wetland area enhance water quality and 2 acres of aquatic habitat and provide public access to a 6.5 acre natural area by initiating the first phase of a recreational loop trail.
Chippewa Creek Headwaters Stream and Wetland Protection Program
Total Project Cost: $315,468
Clean Ohio Request: $222,531
Acquisition: 25.15 acres
The Chippewa Creek Program plans to purchase 25.15 acres of high quality forested green space that protects a headwater stream of the Chippewa Creek Watershed in Broadview Heights.
The city will preserve two identified wetlands and natural areas that provide habitats for forest and aquatic wildlife. The project also includes water quality improvement, streamside erosion control and opportunities for conservation, recreation, education and preservation.
Canal Basin Park
Total Project Cost: $944,200
Clean Ohio Request: $434,200
Acquisition: 0.5 acres
The City of Cleveland seeks to purchase a half an acre of industrial land near the flats for a future park. This acquisition will set the boundary for the Canal Basin Park.
The purchase is part of a larger plan to create a major visitor gateway park called the Canal Basin Park. The park has not yet been designed, but the park will be tied directly into the developing Towpath Trail system, the existing Canal Way Ohio National Scenic Byway and the future extension of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
The project supports comprehensive open space planning, provides multiple recreational, economic and aesthetic preservation benefits and enhances economic development that relies on recreational and ecotourism in areas of relatively high unemployment and lower incomes.
Beecher’s Brook Forest: North Chagrin Reservation
Total Project Cost: $1,340,000
Clean Ohio Request: $1,005,000
Acquisition Amount: 17.4 acres
The Cleveland Metroparks will purchase 17.4 acres of an old growth beech and maple forest as part of a 27.7 acre total acquisition and protection initiative for North Chagrin Reservation. The forest links the bottomland hardwood forests and emergent wetlands of the Chagrin River Valley to upland hardwood forests.
The project will preserve and protect wildlife habitats and water quality, preserve flood plain and stream side forest functions and natural stream channels.
This land was approved for lot subdivision on February 2, 2004, but development is being held off because the Metroparks, several municipalities and other agencies authorized the Trust for Public Land to acquire the parcel. Consequently, if the Metroparks is unable to purchase the land, the forests will be cleared, resulting in destruction of habitat, increased water runoff, increased stream sedimentation and urban intrusion into the forest.
Rocky River West Branch Riparian Corridor
Total Project Cost: $435,000
Clean Ohio Request: $326,250
Acquisition Amount: 20 acres
The Rocky River West Branch Riparian Corridor acquisition is part of the West Branch of the Rocky River riparian corridor preservation initiative, which is a preservation area for a greenway connector between the mainstem of the Rocky River, the East Branch of the Rocky River, and the West Branch of the Rocky River, all part of or connecting to the 2,552 acre Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks.
This riparian corridor will protect about 20 acres of open space in the floodplain of the Rocky River and includes both forested areas and open files and meadows. The Metroparks will preserve and enhance the land and wildlife habitats and restore the degraded landscape. The program also offers multiple recreational, economic and aesthetic preservation benefits.
Euclid Railroad Greenway and Multi-purpose Trail Project
Total Project Cost: $572,200
Clean Ohio Request: $411,150
Acquisition Amount: None
The Euclid Railroad Greenway and Multi-purpose Trail Project is a collaboration between Euclid and South Euclid and seeks to acquire the vacant former Euclid Railroad right-of-way and to provide transportation enhancements along Euclid Avenue for the development of a 5 mile, multipurpose trail loop, providing linkages between Euclid and South Euclid, and the Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Creek Reservation.
The project emphasizes the preservation, protection, and enhancement of greenspace, and provides public access for appreciation, recreation, and education.
GATES MILLS LAND CONSERVANCY
Beecher's Brook - Hemlock Ravine and South Ridge
Total Project Cost: $660,000
Clean Ohio Request: $495,000
Acquisition Amount: 10.3 acres
This acquisition is part of a 27.7 acre total acquisition and protection initiative for North Chagrin Reservation. The project would ensure the protection of water quality in Beecher's Brook Stream, ravine slopes, old-growth hemlock forests and mature upland woods in the Chagrin River watershed. It also protects wildlife habitats and rare, threatened and endangered species.
New hiking and walking trails will also be built as the Cleveland Metroparks has committed that Park District personnel, volunteers, and/or retained contractors in coordination with Gates Mills Conservancy, may be utilize to create the trails.
VILLAGE OF HUNTING VALLEY
Chagrin River Corridor Acquisition
Total Project Cost: $5,103,417
Clean Ohio Request: $950,000
Acquisition: 54 acres
The Chagrin River Corridor Acquisition project is located on Chagrin River Road in Hunting Valley. The project is the first phase of a larger project aiming to acquire a total of 76 acres of open space and riparian corridor.
The project emphasizes protection of habitats for rare, threatened and endangered species, preservation of high quality, viable wildlife habitat, and preservation and restoration of floodplain and streamside forest functions.
Beecher's Brook Stream Restoration and Parkland Acquisition Project, Phase III
Total Project Cost: $150,000
Clean Ohio Request: $50,000
Acquisition Amount: 1.12 acres
This project is the final phase of a plan to acquire 4.3 acres of land surrounding Beecher's Brook, a tributary of the Chagrin River. The project links the S.O.M Center Road Project and the Wilson Mills Road, Beta Drive S.O.M Center Road Multipurpose Path Project.
The land acquired will become a public park and the total 4.3 acre area will be vegetated to stabilize the streambed and provide for improved filtration of ground water. The project increases habitat protection, preserves the land and woods, and offers opportunities for education. This project is also a component of the Multi Purpose Trail Plans.
WEST CREEK PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
West Creek Greenway: Linking the Neighborhoods
Total Project Cost: $961,180
Clean Ohio Request: $716,797
Acquisition Amount: 47.51 acres
The West Creek Greenway project finances the acquisition of property in the West Creek Watershed in order to create a continuous public accessible riparian corridor and to protect open space and endangered wetlands.
The project is part of a larger multi-community effort to preserve a 500 plus acre preserve and greenway. So far, this effort has yielded the dedication of 252 acres to the West Creek Preserve; the lands acquired in this project will also be integrated into the West Creek Preserve and Greenway.
The project emphasizes habitat protection, inclusion as part of a stream corridor-wide or watershed-wide plan, provision of multiple recreational, economic, and aesthetic preservation benefits, preservation of floodplain and streamside forest functions, preservation of headwater streams, and the restoration and preservation of aquatic biological communities
TOTAL ACRES APPLIED FOR: 175.53
