Conservancy Needs Help Raising $250K for Solon Park Addition

Written by Ken Wood

Supporters of a plan to add 30 acres to the Cleveland Metroparks system in Solon are asking for help from local businesses and neighbors to raise the matching funds needed to make the project a reality.

More than 70 percent of the funding to acquire the Sulphur Springs Headwaters property has been secured, primarily through the state’s Clean Ohio Fund and Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program.  

Now the nonprofit Western Reserve Land Conservancy is asking the community to help it raise the last $500,000 – $250,000 in local donations, which will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Cleveland Metroparks. 

The project will protect more than a mile of headwater streams feeding the South Branch of Sulphur Creek, a coldwater tributary to the Chagrin River where native brook trout may one day be reintroduced.  It is adjacent to about 3,800 acres of protected parkland and includes a section of the Buckeye Trail.

The Land Conservancy has until Sept. 30 to raise the matching money and move ahead with the purchase of the property, which would then be turned over to Cleveland Metroparks.  

The land is  part of a 47-acre tract that, if developed as a single-family residential subdivision under current zoning, could result in construction of more than three dozen new homes.  The property is located off Hawthorn Parkway in the South Chagrin Reservation.

“This is a rare opportunity to add a beautiful piece of parkland to the Emerald Necklace, and we need the help of the residents, leaders and businesses of Solon,” said Rich Cochran, president and CEO of the Land Conservancy.  “We hope the community will join us in getting behind this worthwhile  project.” 

Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman said, "Most people assume this property is part of Cleveland Metroparks because of the quality and scope of the hardwood forests and diverse wildlife populations as well as the proximity to South Chagrin Reservation. But, unfortunately it is not. If we are not able to preserve it now, we may realistically not have the opportunity again." 

Mitchell Schneider, a Solon resident and member of the Land Conservancy’s Board of Trustees, helped organize an Aug. 19 tour of the property with Solon residents, community leaders, Land Conservancy staff members  and Cleveland Metroparks officials.  

“The South Chagrin Reservation, and the Sulphur Springs Picnic Area, are beautiful community assets that I have enjoyed my entire life,” Schneider said.  “I am thrilled to be able to help preserve land that protects the headwaters of this  wonderful area.”

Anyone seeking more information on the project or wishing to make a donation 
can contact Jon Logue, the Land Conservancy’s development officer, at (440) 396-5528 or jlogue@wrlandconservancy.org.

Sulphur Springs Headwaters stands at the highest point of elevation in eastern Cuyahoga County and has tremendous environmental value. The natural resource endowments that will be protected through this project include 3.6 acres of high quality wetlands, a mature deciduous forest and habitat  for diverse plant and animal populations, many of which are threatened or endangered.

Joe Leslie, director of acquisitions for the Land Conservancy, said the owner of the property has agreed to extend the deadline for closing the deal from Sept. 15 to Sept. 30.  

Solon City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the plan Sept. 16.  Leslie said the support shown by the community, the Metroparks and city officials “has been extremely encouraging, and we hope we can make this project a reality.”

In late 2012, council authorized the Land Conservancy’s Clean Ohio application for the Solon project.  The project subsequently received a Clean Ohio grant.   

Working with private landowners, communities and park systems, the Land Conservancy has preserved more than 480 properties and more than 35,000 acres in northern Ohio.  

In addition, its Thriving Communities Institute is helping revitalize urban neighborhoods across the state.  The Land Conservancy is based in Moreland Hills and has field offices in Cleveland, Akron, Painesville, Medina, Oberlin and Orrville.