Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Stewardship Center honored

11/7/2013 Download PDF 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeannie Roberts (440) 885-8181 (216) 346-9935

PARMA, Ohio - The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association has honored Parma’s Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek with three 2013 Awards of Excellence winners. The facility itself was recognized with two awards and the Watershed Volunteer Program was recognized as well.

Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter offered congratulations for honors well deserved.

“The Watershed Stewardship Center is a jewel of the Cleveland Metroparks system, and we are proud to have it right here in Parma,” he said. “It’s unbelievable how far that property has come, and it’s wonderful to see it getting the praise it so richly deserves.”

The Center won first place in Park Area Development, second place in the Facility category and second place for its Watershed Volunteer Program.

“Congratulations to everyone who has had any kind of hand in this project,” DeGeeter said. “There were many people involved, and they have been extremely dedicated.”

The City of Parma, with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and the West Creek Conservancy, teamed with the Cleveland Metroparks to create the Watershed Stewardship Center to increase watershed and environmental education efforts in the area.

The center offers interactive exhibits inside and many features on the outside of the building that educate visitors on how to manage stormwater. Workshops and volunteer programs are available to help homeowners understand what they can do to help contribute to a healthier watershed and improved stormwater management.