The All People's Trail now features ADA-accessible trail enhancements with larger gathering spaces for classes to spend more time in discussion and observation along its path. The Rose Foundation Gazebo offers space for relaxation, classroom experiences, and events.
An expanded wildlife viewing area, fish observation deck and stormwater outfall overlook allows for greater learning opportunities for people of all abilities.
Photo credit: Laura Dempsey
Renovations on the one-mile Stearns Woodland Trail included reconstruction of the boardwalks, two bridges, and the addition of an ADA-accessible entrance and trail segment and a new wetland observation deck.
Photo credit: Bob Perkoski
Made possible by a generous gift from the Lincoln Family, we've improved our Stearns Woodland Trail by adding an accessible treehouse designed by Nelson Treehouse of the Animal Planet show Treehouse Masters! Explore Jimmy’s Treehouse whenever the Nature Center is open and get a birds-eye view of the forest canopy! The treehouse deck is open dawn until dusk.
Located behind the Visitor Center, this unique ADA-accessible educational venue connects to our trails and parking lot. Great for events, educational programs, and a quiet space to watch birds at the bird feeders, this is a versatile, year-round space for every occasion.
Photo credit: Dave Brown
Engage children’s gross motor skill development with use of natural structures and materials uniquely suited to the look and feel of the surrounding Stearns Woodland Trail. Climb on a piece of the iconic Shaker Lake 300 year old white oak tree and explore nature play!
The nature play area includes the addition of movable, natural materials for imaginative, unstructured play, building and climbing.
The work of NCSL staff and volunteers contributed to a larger, multi-year effort to restore the habitat on our 20-acre property. Since 2019, we have now removed approximately five acres of invasive shrubs and installed over 6,300 native plants. We exceeded our goals in terms of the amount of restoration work performed, which will set us up for success in ongoing restoration efforts.
We have improved pedestrian connections to the All Peoples’ Trail with the new Cleveland Foundation North Woodland trailhead and the Stearns Woodland Trail with welcoming community trail entrances with bike racks on South Park Boulevard and West Park Boulevard.
Photo credit: Laura Dempsey
Co-Chairs
Graham P. Hearns
Cynthia M. Klug
David H. Lavelle
Michael T. Novak
Honorary Co-Chairs
Rita M. & Peter A. Carfagna
Harry and Mary Ann Carlson
Claudia & David C. Fulton, Jr.
Stewart A. Kohl
Committee Members
John C. Barber
James T. Dixon
Kimberly H. Dyer
Margaret R. Giltinan
Matthew R. Goldman
Kathleen A. Heffernan
Kitty L. Makley
Denise L. Neary
Carrie B. Shelfer
Co-chairs (L-R) David Lavelle, Cindy Klug, Graham Hearns, Michael Novak
DAVID LAVELLE
Campaign Co-Chair
Photo: 1969, civic leaders celebrate the end of the freeway fight and a new beginning for the community with the groundbreaking of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes.
CINDY KLUG
Campaign Co-Chair
GRAHAM HEARNS
Campaign Co-Chair
MICHAEL NOVAK
Campaign Co-Chair
Thank you to the commitment of our supporters for their gifts to Enhancing Your Outdoor Classroom: a Campaign for the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. We are grateful you shared in our vision for the next chapter of YOUR PARK; together, we built the future of the Nature Center and have ensured accessible experiences for all. YOUR PARK will continue to provide lasting memories for generations to come.
Our donors played a vital role in preserving these natural habitats and outdoor experiences that enrich our community assets. We deeply appreciate the generosity of all who gave.
The Honor Roll recognizes those donors at $10,000 and above as of September 1, 2021.
The Cleveland Foundation
David H. & Barbara M. Jacobs Foundation
The Kohl Fund
Donna & James Reid
The Rose Foundation
Anonymous
Peter & Rita Carfagna
Harry & Mary Ann Carlson
Anne T. & Thomas C. Hilbert
Nancy & Neal Lavelle
Barbara Lincoln
Cathy Lincoln
John C. Morley
John T. Mulligan, Thomas H. Mulligan & William C. Mulligan
The Murch Foundation
Heather & Tim Ryan
Sally & John Schulze
Jack & Alexa Sulak
Third Federal Foundation
Anonymous (3)
Abington Foundation
John Barber
Cynthia Bassett
Kathleen & Thomas Heffernan
David & Ann Lavelle
Tom & Kathy Leiden
Paul Lincoln & Kathy Toderick
Michael & Courtney Novak
Leon & Gloria Plevin
SLRNC Endowment Foundation
Chace & Josie Anderson
Ruth Anna Carlson
Mary & Tom Gannon
The George Garretson Wade Charitable Trust #2
Albert A. Hanes & Robert E. Hanes
Sam & Kim Hartwell
Graham & Kerianne Hearns
Ann T. Herbruck
Higley Fund of The Cleveland Foundation
Meg & Jed Hunter
Louise H. & David S. Ingalls Foundation
Kempton & Nancy King Smith
Cynthia & Paul Klug & Family
Lakeside Foundation
Sarah Lavelle
John & Kitty Makley
Elizabeth Ring Mather & William Gwinn Mather Fund
Lynda & Charlie Mayer
Ray & Katie Murphy
Charles L. Pack Charitable Trust
PNC Foundation
Julie West
Anonymous (6)
Alexis Abramson & Chris Sklarin
The Blaszak Family
Mary Cahen
Leigh H. Carter
Kay Carlson & Rick Albaugh
Ann & Tom Cicarella
The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation Martha Connell
Erin & Dan Connell
Paul & Natalie Cooper
DeGulis Family
The Dixon Family
Henry C. Doll
Geoff, Bill & Mary Dunbar
John Dyer & Kimberly Humphreys Dyer
Mity & Jef Fowler
Eric & Jana Friess
Claudia & Dave Fulton
Beth & Rob Gillespie
Anne & Walter Ginn
Matt Goldman & Ann Pearson
Laura Gooch & David Kazdan
Jeanne & Steve Gordon
James D. Graham & David M. Dusek
Barbara Baetz-Greenwalt MD & Peter H. Greenwalt MD
The Hagesfeld Family
The Hershey Foundation
Mrs. Roland S. Hill
Helen B. & Erik M. Jensen
Anne C. Juster
The Kadlic Family
The Kass Family
Laura & David Kaufman
Nancy F. & Joseph P. Keithley Foundation
Susan Kent & Ben Sperry
Karen Kidwell & Henry Billingsley
John & Kristin Lavelle
Toby D. Lewis
William S. & Margaret F. Lipscomb
The Milton & Tamar Maltz Family Foundation
Patricia & Charles Mintz
Barb & Bill Morgan
Nature Nurture Balance Fund of The Cleveland Foundation Jon & Robin Outcalt
The Parker Hannifin Foundation
Dick & Pat Pogue
Paula & David Reape
Martha & Dave Schubert
Sears-Swetland Family Foundation
Carrie & Scott Shelfer
Kate & Brit Stenson
Thompson Family Foundation
Susan Wolpert & Raymond Lesser
*The Honor Roll recognizes those donors at $10,000 and above as of March 1, 2021