HELP PRESERVE CLEVELAND METROPARKS HISTORY - SHARE YOUR FAVORITE PARK MEMORIES, STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS

December 12, 2013

Planning and organizing Cleveland Metroparks 100th anniversary celebration in 2017 will be no small or easy task. A milestone of such magnitude will require help from employees, volunteers, and most importantly, park users. To help tell and preserve the Park District's 100 year history, a new oral history project titled �Your Parks, Your Stories� is being spearheaded by Park District historians and archivists to capture amazing stories, remarkable moments and touching memories.

Over the next two years, the Oral History team of staff and volunteers, will be collecting and recording stories about how Cleveland Metroparks has enriched the lives of Greater Clevelanders. The success of �Your Parks, Your Stories� depends greatly upon the willingness of individuals and families to share their personal park memories.

�We want to record park visitor memories, in their own words, about what Cleveland Metroparks has meant to them,� explained Judy MacKeigan, Cleveland Metroparks Historian and Archivist. �Maybe they'd like to share a story they heard from a parent and grandparent, or share photographs, memorabilia or artifacts that document events or verify activities that are a part of park history.�

These recorded stories and photographs will be used in various formats to commemorate Cleveland Metroparks 100th anniversary. Stories may be transformed into printed books, songs, pod casts, blogs, video logs or �vlogs,� or mini-documentaries. Some stories may even be turned into presentations which will be shared with the general public at community events or some may be developed into interactive displays.

The Oral History team will conduct pre-scheduled interviews on Thursday, January 9 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville as well as on Sundays, January 12 and 26 from 10 a.m. to noon during the hand feed a chickadee programs at Brecksville Nature Center in Brecksville Reservation.

Call the historical interpretation office at 440-786-8530 to schedule a 15-20 minute interview with a staff member or volunteer. Bring any photographs you would like to share. Some may be scanned for Cleveland Metroparks archives. Walk-ups will be accepted if time slots are available.

Everyone loves a good story. Be a part of the �Your Parks, Your Stories� memories project for Cleveland Metroparks - Discover, Enjoy, Project

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

SUE ALLEN - 216-635-3338, sja@clevelandmetroparks.com

HOLLY KECK - 216-635-3253, hak@clevelandmetroparks.com