Cleveland Metroparks 2020: The Emerald Necklace Centennial Plan
The Strategic Plan, completed in 2012, provides direction and guidance for Cleveland Metroparks. In 2015, the organization updated the document to focus on five strategic goals for the coming years:
- PROTECTION: Implement natural resource and green infrastructure practices to create and manage urban park spaces more resilient to ecological change and disturbance as part of the surrounding and regional community.
- RELEVANCY: Strengthen the relevancy of the Emerald Necklace and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as the park system enters its second century. Affirm the Park District’s role and identity in response to changes in demographics and economics and continue to emphasize conservation education. Support the resurgence of the city of Cleveland and the inner ring suburbs.
- CONNECTIONS: Advance connections and trail systems that complete the Emerald Necklace and, in partnership with other agencies and communities, connect with local, state and regional trail networks, communities and places of interest.
- COME OUT AND PLAY: Expand and strengthen outdoor experiences and recreation opportunities consistent with the organization’s mission, and keep pace with market trends to contribute to the region’s attractiveness as a place to live, work and play.
- ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY: Continue sustainable business practices to support Cleveland Metroparks capital, operations and maintenance needs over the next ten-year levy cycle and beyond.
Documents
Reservation Planning
Reservation Master Plans for each of the Park District’s 18 parks have been updated since 2014. The Master Plans provide guidance for infrastructure maintenance, land protection, trail connections, and new initiatives in alignment with the Park District’s strategic goals. The plans utilize previous plans and inventories as a baseline and propose actions to take place over the next two to 20 years.
Cleveland Metroparks Planning and Design Department staff lead the planning process. Four to five reservations are studied each year by a diverse internal stakeholder team with representatives from natural resources, marketing, outdoor experiences, park operations, planning and design, rangers, land protection, information systems, and park administration. The team participates in a minimum of four work sessions through the year to discuss existing conditions, establish a vision for the park, and review multiple concept plans to identify specific actions.
The public is invited to review a draft version of the plans and provide comments online and at public Open Houses each September. Cleveland Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners are briefed on the plans at several times during the process. Park District staff conducts outreach to adjacent communities, affiliate organizations, and other stakeholders to gather their input as well.
Completed Reservation Master Plans are available below:
Acacia Reservation
Bedford Reservation
Big Creek Reservation
Bradley Woods Reservation
Brecksville Reservation
Brookside Reservation
Connections - Cuyahoga Central
Connections - Cuyahoga North
Connections - Cuyahoga South
Euclid Creek Reservation
Garfield Park Reservation
Hinckley Reservation
Huntington Reservation
Lakefront Reservation
Mill Stream Run Reservation
North Chagrin Reservation
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation
Rocky River Reservation
South Chagrin Reservation
Washington Reservation
West Creek Reservation