$4.15 Million Grant Will Improve Chagrin Falls Reservation

CHAGRIN FALLS, OH — The Cleveland Metroparks were recently awarded a $4.15 million grant to acquire and then conserve and protect 73 acres of land, primarily located in the southeastern corner of the Village of Bentleyville. The grant was awarded by the Ohio EPA.

The stretch of land that moves through Bentleyville connects to the eastern portion of the Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin Reservation. Within that 73 acres is 22 acres of Category 3 wetlands, the best condition of wetlands. The Category 3 area supports amphibian, insect and plant life, as well as high-performing water quality and storage.

Also on the land is 1,600 linear feet of a Class III primary headwater stream that flows to the Aurora branch of the Chagrin River. Class III streams are the highest-ranked by the Ohio EPA.

"We congratulate Cleveland Metroparks on this acquisition as it is in the water protection zone for the Chagrin Falls drinking water wellfield and will further protect our drinking water source," said Chagrin Falls Mayor Bill Tomko in a news release. "In addition, this will make a valuable addition to the South Chagrin Reservation."

The $4.15 million grant is the largest ever received by the Cleveland Metroparks. Last month, the Metroparks received their second largest grant ever (which was then the largest grant), when the Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program (WRRSP) gave a $1.88 million grant to the organization. That money will be used to remove a dam in Bonnie Park in Strongsville.

Still, the final acquisition of the 73-acres from Bentleyville to Chagrin Falls is not yet complete. The Metroparks said it expects the acquisition to be finalized in 2019.

"This new property acquisition contains some of the best wetlands and headwater streams left in Cuyahoga County," said Terry Robison, Cleveland Metroparks director of Natural Resources. "The protection and management of this property will not only bring benefits to the watershed but also to the forests, meadows and local species."

Photo from Clevleand Metroparks