Officials from the city of North Royalton, the YMCA and the North Royalton Library recently met to discuss the Chippewa Creek wetland trail project, where the content, design, associated programs and conservation was discussed, as well as the security, management and storm water issues. Both the Library and YMCA have expressed interest in supplying programs that would coincide with the Park.
Last April, the city of North Royalton received word that they will be receiving funding for a $200,000 grant to install trails and an open air interpretive center on the city-owned parcel on Wallings Road. The money will be funded through the 2016 State Capital Grant, which was requested through the office of Ohio Representative Mike Dovilla. The city had made a grant application twice before in 2012 and 2014 through the Recreation Trails Program, underwritten through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The city had asked for $206,000 for the project. North Royalton Community Development Director Tom Jordan stated that this grant was actually better than the original grant applied for, as that would have required a 20% match from the city. This grant requires no match of local funds. Jordan hopes to get the project completed within the $200,000 mark. He indicated that the site had become a dumping ground, which will require cleanup. He intends to have that work done in-house, in order to save money. “We’ll try to use all the funds for the new improvements.”
“We will actually be creating a new park,” said Jordan. The project will be a collaborative effort between the city, YMCA and the Cuyahoga County Library, and would include a 10-foot-wide asphalt trail that would form a U-shape between the property to the back of the North Royalton library and the YMCA, linking both facilities together. The major portion of the project will sit on the city-owned twelve acre parcel. The North Royalton library sits on the front five acres, near Wallings Road.
“The area contains the Chippewa Creek Headlands, the very start of the Chippewa Creek Watershead, that eventually flows into Broadview, Brecksville and ultimately, into the Cuyahoga River. It is an important area for the preservation of wetland areas,” said Jordan. The 770-square-foot Trail Head Interpretive Shelter, which will overlook the wetland preserved area, would include informational boards that would allow visitors to read and understand that wetland environment, as well as the native plants and animals.
The grant is being administered through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The city recently received approval from Governor John Kasich, which it had been waiting for before it was able to move forward.
According to Jordan, the project is currently in the design phase, headed by Cleveland firm, Behnke Landscape Architecture. “Because of the sensitivity of the area, due to the wetlands, we have to be careful with the material and the location,” said Jordan. “Due to that fact, the design aspect is taking a little longer than originally anticipated. We have to abide by state code.” Jordan said that once the design portion is completed and approved, the project will be bid out. At that point, it is anticipated to take a few months to complete.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer