Cleveland Metroparks Aukerman Park in Brecksville Reservation officially opened to the public today. Brian Zimmerman, Cleveland Metroparks CEO and City of North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik shared their excitement for the park's opening with remarks and a ribbon cutting.
Brian Zimmerman, Cleveland Metroparks CEO stated, �This project is a product of the vision and the collaboration of our community partners. By preserving and enhancing the site of Aukerman Park, we have been able to achieve this project's goals and serve the community with increased trail connections and public access.�
City of North Royalton Mayor Robert Stefanik said, �We are very excited to open Aukerman Park today. This park is a significant addition to public green space in North Royalton, and offers residents enhanced recreational opportunities.�
Formerly a farm with horse stables owned by the Aukerman family, Aukerman Park was purchased jointly by the city and Cleveland Metroparks in 2012. Aukerman Park enhances the 3,983 acres of Brecksville Reservation, the largest reservation in Cleveland Metroparks, by offering park users and residents increased access to recreational amenities and trail connections.
Much of the Aukerman Park project focused on reestablishing the meadow natural to the site, and allowing vegetation to return. Aukerman Park includes a .4-mile scenic loop natural surface trail with adjacent access to Brecksville Reservation, and a new picnic pavilion.
Unique to the Park District, Aukerman Park features an on-leash dog agility course, which includes six agility stations. These stations include a dog walk ramp, a wait table for dogs to climb on to, hound hurdles, an A-frame ramp, a dog teeter-totter and an agility walk. Providing dogs and people alike with a fun, unique way to exercise and interact together. Support in creating this dog friendly agility course was provided by Dr. Adam Hechko of the North Royalton Animal Hospital.
Cleveland Metroparks Aukerman Park is located in North Royalton at the intersection of York Road and Valley Parkway in Brecksville Reservation
