Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2013 Annual Awards of Excellence winners, including Geauga Park District, which won the following award at this esteemed statewide level:
First place in the Facility (Up to $2,500,000) category for its East Branch of the Cuyahoga River Covered Bridge
Geauga Park District’s primary agency objectives encompass protecting and conserving natural resources and providing opportunities for people to connect with nature and its natural and cultural history. Completion of The Maple Highlands Trail’s East Branch of the Cuyahoga River Covered Bridge in August 2013 promises to:
- connect communities and parks
- enhance safety for Amish commuters
- expand tourism outreach for Geauga County
Construction of The Maple Highlands Trail, first opened in 2007, continues this year to further connect this multi-use trail for 20 continuous miles from the northern-most part of the county to the Village of Middlefield in the south. Crossing the East Branch of the Cuyahoga River necessitated inclusion of a bridge, so the Park District’s construction crew opted to develop a historically significant Pratt Truss Covered Bridge, registered with Ohio Historic Bridge Association and constructed on the B&O Railroad right-of-way abandoned in the 1980s.
Aimed at reducing the phenomenon of “parks as islands,” this bridge will help connect four GPD parks including Big Creek Park in Chardon, Mountain Run Station in Hambden, Headwaters Park in Huntsburg, and Swine Creek Reservation in Middlefield.
Serving a rural population, including the second largest Amish community in Ohio, this bridge and trail will provide recreational opportunities for the general public and an alternative travel route for our Amish neighbors that bypasses hazardous State Route 608. Ohio Highway Patrol’s Lieutenant Jim Sivak stated in a recent interview, “There were 123 crashes involving horse-drawn and motorized vehicles in Geauga County from 2004 to October 2009.” Access through this important travel route strives to reduce traffic accidents involving Amish buggies.
Covered bridges are a proven attraction for expanding tourism and economic development. GPD will develop a series of programs designed to reach a segment of this special population.
The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 4, 2014, at the Kalahari Conference Center in Sandusky, Ohio. One first place award winner will be presented with the 2013 Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation, a “best-in- show” award which includes a $500 contribution to the parks and recreation foundation of the agency winner.
“Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This project is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”
Awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio. See the of this year’s winners and their submissions and supporting documents.
Incorporated in 1963, OPRA is a non-profit, public interest organization representing over 1300 professionals and citizen board members striving to provide quality parks and recreation facilities and opportunities for all Ohioans while protecting and preserving Ohio’s natural resources, positively impacting local economies and health and wellness of its citizens.
