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Press Release: Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association
October 16, 2002
BOSTON TOWNSHIP, OH -- With a breathtaking blast of fall color as a backdrop, the newly formed Cuyahoga Valley
National Park Association (CVNPA) was introduced as the regional voice for one of the most distinctive National
Parks in the National Park System - Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The new organization, introduced today from the porch of the historic Boston Store in the heart of the National
Park, will protect, support and promote the park and expand learning opportunities for children and engagement
opportunities for citizens all across the Northeast Ohio region.
Unique among National Parks for its position between two large urban centers, Cuyahoga Valley National Park both
separates Cleveland and Akron and links them together at the same time. A model for the nation, the park is one
of the largest green spaces conserved in an urban area in the U.S. It was in recognition of this special role and
the potential inherent in this regional asset that the mayors of the two great cities on either side of its borders
came together to celebrate CVNPA, the Park's new support organization.
"It's a great day for the park, and a great day for our guests - both young and old - who have come here to
help us celebrate this wonderful national treasure," said John P. Debo, Jr., superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley
National Park. "For many children, coming to this park will be their ONLY experience with a national park
- or with nature. Our new organization will be focusing on programs for schools and for adults as well, so we can
better connect people with our park. And that's just the start of the work of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Association."
The Association will begin an aggressive membership and fund raising campaign to maintain and grow high-quality
park activities, allowing Northeast Ohioans to support this tremendous asset that forms the shared backyard of
Cleveland, Akron and many other municipalities.
"Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a remarkable year-round asset for all of us," said Cleveland Mayor
Jane L. Campbell, who along with Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic was honored with charter membership in the new organization.
"Our National Park should be a tremendous inspiration for smart, green economic development in our region.
Protecting and enhancing this greenscape contributes immeasurably to our region's quality of life."
"The cultural heritage of the park is significant - the valley united our region and advanced our economy
when the canal drove commerce, and it unites us here today," said Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic. "No other
National Park sits between two metropolitan areas within just a one-hour drive for five-million people. It is the
envy of and a model for urban planners everywhere."
The new Association is a marriage of the missions and resources of two organizations, the Cuyahoga Valley Association
and the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center.
The event was attended by regional political, educational and civic leaders, Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association
supporters, National Park Staff, and friends and neighbors of the park.
Students representing the region from Portage Elementary School in Akron and Case Elementary in Cleveland sang
at the program, and performed readings about their experiences in the park. Children and their environmental education
are a pivotal part of CVNPA's ongoing mission: Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association strives to make the programming
at its Environmental Education Center available to all children regardless of their ability to pay fees, and maintains
a policy of providing scholarship assistance to 25% of total enrollment. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of
the top 20 most visited parks in the National Park system, with over 3.5 million visitors annually. The park, established
as a National Recreation Area in 1974, covers 33,000 green acres along a 22-mile stretch of the Cuyahoga River,
and was designated a National Park in October 2000.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association is a nonprofit organization created to protect, support and promote Cuyahoga
Valley National Park. The organization advocates and educates on behalf of Ohio's unique national park, reaching
out to build membership, develop quality educational programs and new volunteer programs, coordinate efforts with
other partner organizations, increase fundraising, and encourage enjoyment and participation in the many astonishing
opportunities available in the park. CVNPA works to enhance the Cuyahoga Valley National Park through programs,
projects and events such as the Environmental Education Center, Photographic Society, Nature Writers, Artist-In-Residence
program and many more. ( www.cvnpa.org ).
Source: Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association