Cuyahoga County Natural Resources Assistance Council
Round One (2002) Projects
CITY OF CLEVELAND
Mill Creek Waterfall Conservation Project
Total Project Cost: $976,000
Clean Ohio Award: $650,000
The fee simple acquisition of land to provide access to riparian corridors and watersheds adjacent to Mill Creek and the Mill Creek Waterfall located near the intersection of Broadway-Miles Avenue and Warner-Turney Roads on the east side of Cleveland. The project is located on the CanalWay Scenic Byway and within the boundaries of the CanalWay National Heritage Corridor.
CITY OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
Upper Dugway Valley Riparian Corridor
Total Project Cost: $257,373
Clean Ohio Award: $157,052
The riparian corridor is located in the 17-acre Upper Dugway Valley located in the southwest corner of Forest Hills Park. The City of Cleveland Heights will implement an environmentally sensitive plan to address the erosion and invasive species problem.
The three project objectives are to:
- Prevent erosion control through the construction of on-site erosion control techniques Wetlands will also be incorporated, where appropriate, to further slow water, reduce erosion and improve local wildlife habitats;
- Control invasive species by using a combination of mechanical control and selective herbicide use; and
- Preserve and inventory rare and unique plant species by restricting access to the sensitive natural areas.
CITY OF GARFIELD HEIGHTS
Mill Creek Quarries
Total Project Cost: $368,000
Clean Ohio Award: $247,000
The Mill Creek Quarries are located at the East 131st Street and Broadway intersection in the Johnston Parkway Branch corridor. The project area contains a 50-acre former sand quarry, a 10-acre former landfill and a 17-acre stream corridor.
The objectives of the project are to:
- Provide open space protection through a conservation easement, donated by the Catholic Cemetery Association, approximately ten acres of the riparian zone will be protected. The remaining forty acres are privately owned and will be acquired separately;
- Restore the riparian corridor by stabilizing eroding streambanks, cleaning up debris, and restoring wetlands. Reforestation planting and elimination of invasive plant species will also be undertaken;
- Conduct an environmental due diligence assessment of the former quarry property and the landfill; and
- Appraise the 50-acre sand quarry.
VILLAGE OF GATES MILLS
Knollwood Open Space Project
Total Project Cost: $1,125,000
Clean Ohio Award: $359,527
Acquisition of 20 acres of open space in the vicinity of SOM Center Road and Gates Mills Boulevard from the Mayfield City School District. The Village will deed restrict the property so that only natural walking trails will be built. The general public and educational nstitutions will be granted access to the property.
Additional benefits of the project are the preservation of wetlands and of local heritage. The Leuty Family Farm, one of first settlers of the Western Reserve and the original founding family of the Village of Gates Mills, was located on this property.
VILLAGE OF MAYFIELD
Upper 40 Riparian Protection and Restoration
Total Project Cost: $828,000
Clean Ohio Award: $583,000
A riparian restoration program for the Upper 40 tributary of the Chagrin River. The Upper 40 tributary encompasses a 1.3 mile watershed and flows into the Chagrin River, a State Scenic River. Urbanization and stream channelization in the upper reaches of the watershed have increased runoff volumes and velocities, removed aquatic habitat and decreased flood storage capacity.
The Upper 40 Partnership (Mayfield, Gates Mills and the Cleveland Metroparks) have developed a riparian restoration program which includes restoring two to three acres of floodplain functions, restoration of 1,500 lineal feet of stream channel and 3 to 5 acres of wetlands.
CITY OF SOLON
Great Blue Heron Rookery Preserve
Total Project Cost: $226,215
Clean Ohio Award: $169,661
The Great Blue Heron Rookery nesting site and the surrounding properties comprise the last remaining natural open space area within the City of Solon. Currently, the City owns 115 acres surrounding the Preserve. The Clean Ohio Award is for the purchase of 9 vacant parcels (9.3 acres), through a conservation easement, on Russell Drive which borders the Great Blue Heron Rookery Preserve.
The properties will be perpetually preserved as an open space buffer. The public will be able to access the Preserve through natural trails for low impact non-intrusive activities during the non-nesting season.
VILLAGE OF VALLEY VIEW
Mile 9 Landing
Fee simple acquisition of two parcels along the east side of Canal Road, adjacent to Fosdick and Murray Roads. The existing buildings will be removed and an open space will be created. The site is directly across from the Ohio & Erie Canal and from the Cleveland Metroparks and will be used as a rest area and educational stop for persons using the Towpath Trail.
CLEVELAND METROPARKS
Washington Park Acquisition and Restoration
Total Project Cost: $643,000
Clean Ohio Award: $445,500
Cleveland Metroparks has partnered with the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, First Tee of Cleveland, Inc., and the Washington Park Horticultural Center to acquire and restore Washington Park, located in the City of Cleveland and the Village of Newburgh Heights along East 49th Street and Washington Park Boulevard.
The project objectives are to:
- Purchase Washington Park's 71.6 acres from the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County;
- Restore disturbed natural areas, wetlands and ridgetop wetlands to improve plant and wildlife habitats;
- Re-establish the Washington Park Arboretum for educational and community purposes; and
- Remove and control invasive and non-native plants species.
WEST CREEK PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
West Creek Greenway: Completing the Connection
Total Project Cost: $1,120,000Clean Ohio Award: $723,800
Clean Ohio Award will finance the acquisition of property in the West Creek watershed, a scenic 9-mile tributary of the Cuyahoga River. The purpose is to create a continuous publicly-accessible riparian corridor and protect open space and endangered wetlands. The project is part of a larger community effort to preserve a 500+ acre preserve and greenway.
The property acquisitions will:
- Protect critical headwater wetland areas, adjacent to the West Creek Preserve, currently under threat of commercial development; and
- Secure pockets of an undeveloped riparian corridor to protect stream quality and provide access to viewsheds and wooded valley slopes for the purposes of conservation, reclamation and passive outdoor recreation.
