Valley park proposals blossom at session

Scenic rail line to Cleveland, park institute among ideas

By Bob Downin, staff writer

Akron Beacon Journal

March 27, 2007

 

BOSTON HEIGHTS - Extending the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad into downtown Cleveland could be among the projects funded under a new federal plan that could provide $3 billion over the next 10 years for national parks.

 

There are also discussions on creating what would be called the Cuyahoga Valley Institute, similar to programs in Yellowstone and Yosemite parks that provide nature watching, outdoor adventure and history and cultural programs for adults and families, said John Debo, superintendent of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park ...

 

... More at http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/16980510.htm

I would urge all of you to weigh in on this by April 2nd at www.nps.gov/2016 and advocate a signature project in the CVNP. The form is a little cumbersome, but if you click on "Comment on document" (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?parkID=442&projectID=17892&documentId=18372), it's a little clearer. I for one think extending the Scenic Railway to downtown Cleveland (and hopefully to Lake Erie) is probably our most compelling case for a signature project, but please post on whatever priority you have ... I have posted the criteria for a signature project below.

Signature projects and programs can include anything from restoring historic structures and landscapes,renovating museums and visitor centers, integrating emerging technologies, improving trails and recreational opportunities, to connecting more children with their national parks. These projects and programs will provide new levels of excellence and special opportunities beyond the high quality opportunities already made possible through federal funding.

 

We will select the projects with your help through online comment and listening tours the NPS will hear how Americans envision their national parks in 2016 and beyond, how they would like to celebrate the centennial, and what signature projects and programs would be at the top of their list.

 

Signature projects and programs also will:

 

- continue the NPS legacy of leveraging philanthropic, partnership and government investments for the benefit of national parks and their visitors

 

- Provide a margin of excellence

 

- Capture the imagination of the public

 

- Secure at least a dollar for dollar philanthropic match

 

- Use current staffing, unless additional staffing is provided through endowed positions or partners

 

- Be sustainable in design, material and location

I hope they don't spend more $$ on reestablishing farms in the park.  They have already paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to establish a winemaking vinyard near Blossom Music Center.  That is pretty far from the goals of a national park, in my opinion.

Here's what I just wrote. It's pretty verbose, but feel free to adapt it if you want to do a quickie endorsement of the Scenic Railroad.

 

My top priority project would be an extension of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad into downtown Cleveland. Currently, the railroad serves as a major attraction for visitors south of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and an ideal way to view many of the park's amenities, particularly for small children and the mobility-impaired. Extending this attraction to Cleveland will greatly increase visitation to what is already one of America's most frequently visited national parks. In addition, completion of this line will increase opportunities to visit the park by residents who do not have access to other forms of transportation. Providing a direct and affordable means to visit the park could connect economically disadvantaged individuals to perhaps the greatest amenity in their region and could expand their opportunities to learn about stewardship. Finally, extension of the rail line into Cleveland could serve as a national model of sustainability and of leaving a lighter environmental impact on the park itself; it would afford an opportunity to showcase remediation of industrial land into land that is open, enjoyable and healthy for the public. It could also illustrate that parklands can be preserved and bettered even in urban settings. This effort would dovetail well with community efforts to rebrand Cleveland, and Ohio as a whole, as a national leader in sustainable practices.

 

This project would most certainly provide a margin of excellence by connecting more people to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and increasing awareness of national park stewardship. It would also certainly capture the imagination of the public, particularly children. Being able to ride a scenic train directly into one of the finest natural areas in the country would greatly impact Northeast Ohio's view of the park's value and foster a greater appreciation for its proximity.

 

Cleveland's leadership has expressed strong interest in rebuilding its economy to focus more on sustainability; local foundations, as well as city, county and state government have all made substantial investments in sustainability-related economic development; currently, the community is exploring an offshore windfarm in Lake Erie, which would we be the first freshwater windfarm worldwide. These leaders would welcome opportunities to further increase attention toward our community's efforts and would almost certainly be willing to secure matching funds if the project were to move forward.

Just a warning and then I promise I'll shut up. If you do post a response, make sure to do so in the  Comment section at the bottom of the form (not the questions section directly above). I wasn't paying attention and lost all the text from my responses to the first two questions.

I think a salient point to this discussion would be pointing out how relatively trivial the distance of track would have to go to make a huge difference to the region.  Is it 5 miles or maybe 8?  I'm not sure what the distance is from Rockside to TC via the valley.  The more dedicated the line, the more likely it could be used as a commuter line through the valley.

Convention go-ers, business visitors, downtown tourists, and Cleveland Clinic and UH patrons could use the train to visit the National Park for a day.

 

I am forming a thesis that downtown Cle needs an intermodal hub of the Ohio Hub, CVNP, and RTA Euclid-Corridor BRT that would take the form of the new Convention Center.