Cuyahoga County Natural Resources Assistance Council
Round 11 Recommended Projects

February 2017

The Cuyahoga County Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC) has selected three (3) projects that it will recommend to the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) for Round 11 of the Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program funding. Approximately 130 acres and over 2,941 linear feet of riparian corridor will be acquired and preserved in Cuyahoga County.

  1. LAND STUDIO
    Irishtown Bend Greenway Connector
    • Total Project Cost: $2,436,200
    • Clean Ohio Award: $1,425,700
    • Acquisition Amount: 7.34 Acres

    This project includes the acquisition of 6.9 acres and a donation of 0.39 acres on West 25th Street, on a hillside along the Cuyahoga River in the City of Cleveland. The Irishtown Bend Greenway Connector will preserve and restore greenspace that will become an accessible urban park. It will also become part of the regional trail network between Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Lake Erie, as well as connect to the dense neighborhoods on the near west side of Cleveland.

  2. CLEVELAND METROPARKS
    Cleveland Metroparks Preservation Initiative
    • Total Project Cost: $250,000
    • Clean Ohio Award: $156,500
    • Acquisition Amount: 22 Acres

    The Cleveland Metroparks will acquire two 11-acre properties in the Village of Walton Hills. Acquisition of these parcels will expand the Cleveland Metroparks’ Bedford Reservation and preserve 875 linear feet of Hemlock Creek; as well as offer permanent protection of valuable and rare habitat for a variety of plant and animal species.

  3. WESTERN RESERVE LAND CONSERVANCY
    Brecksville Upland Preserve
    • Total Project Cost: $5,533,144
    • Clean Ohio Award: $1,753,569
    • Acquisition Amount: 100 Acres

    This project will acquire approximately 100 acres in the City of Brecksville, located between the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to the east and the Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation to the north. The project will preserve mature forests, approximately 2,066 linear feet of headwater tributaries to the Cuyahoga River, and seasonal vernal pools, making it an attractive habitat for an abundant species of native wildlife. Upon acquisition of the property, the Western Reserve Land Conservancy will transfer ownership to the Cleveland Metroparks, which will manage the Brecksville Upland Preserve as a passive recreational area.