GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — The Cleveland Metroparks announced in a press release that the restoration work on the historic Garfield Park Reservation is complete.
The restoration work took multiple years and focused on improving both natural and man-made structures.
These are some of the improvements, according to the release:
- The 2-acre lower pond was re-established
- Wolf Creek was restored
- Some historic masonry structures were reconstructed
- The new Garfield Park Program Center was created
- A network of trail loops (paved, natural and ADA accessible) was added
“This investment in Garfield Park Reservation, with the critical support of our partners, revitalizes this historic park and re-establishes opportunities for the community to once again enjoy fishing, boating and exploration of the restored pond, creek and wetlands,” Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman said in the release. “The newly constructed program center will foster learning and be a place the community can enjoy for generations to come.”
They also installed new fishing docks at the pond and have more than 200 sunfish stocked. They plan to add more species later.
“The restoration of Wolf Creek, which flows into Mill Creek, a tributary of the Cuyahoga River, is vital to local water quality and stream health,” the release reads. “Enhanced amenities, such as hiking trails, bridges and boardwalks allow visitors to experience the restored creek, its wetlands, floodplains and pond up close.”
The release also highlights the uses of the new program center, which it says will be a hub for programs with Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Recreation and Youth Outdoors. The public will also be able to reserve the facility.
Cleveland Metroparks says these improvements are in addition to others the area has seen recently such as a new shelter, repaved roads and a play area. They also say there is more work to do, as they are working to connect the park to the Towpath and Morgan Run trails.