Ohio Parks and Recreation Association to recognize southern Geauga park in February
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) has announced its 2019 Annual Awards of Excellence winners, and at least one of them is in your neighborhood.
Locally, Holbrook Hollows won second place in the category for Capital Improvement Projects – $1 Million to $2.5 Million.
Having opened just this year, Holbrook Hollows is a 131-acre park at 7250 Country Lane in Bainbridge Township, positioned to serve the residents of four counties – Geauga, Cuyahoga, Summit and Portage. It is within two miles of Downtown Chagrin Falls and within a five-mile radius of nearly 60,000 residents, 20,000 of them in Geauga.
Among four trails totaling 2.8 miles, Holbrook Hollows provides access to Cleveland Metroparks’ South Chagrin Reservation bridle trail, advancing connectivity between parks. Horseback riders here now can enjoy a consecutive 100 miles under saddle. Additionally, to offer something for everyone, per its mission, Geauga Park District focused on trails that serve multiple uses, great experiences with the natural world, and features sure to draw people in: a lodge, a Nature-based/themed playground, boardwalks and an overlook.
“We are once again thrilled to be recognized by our peer organization, the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association,” Geauga Park District Executive Director John Oros said. “Our great staff deserves the credit for this award. Their contributions to this park and every park are considerable. They start with our park biologist, Paul Pira, defining the standards for the protection and conservation of the natural resources on the property. Then our talented planning team, under the leadership of Planning and Operations Director Matt McCue, worked to develop a plan for the property that culminated in the responsible development of this property. The result is a great park the residents of Geauga County will be able to enjoy now and in the future.
“This award once again proves the leadership and staff of Geauga Park District are providing our residents with phenomenal parks worthy of recognition. We hope our residents will enjoy this award-winning park!”
Reservations for the lodge in 2020 open for Geauga County residents on December 2nd starting at 8:00 a.m., and for out-of-county residents on January 2nd starting at 8:00 a.m. online and 10:00 a.m. by phone. To learn more about the lodge and everything else you can enjoy at Holbrook Hollows, please visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org and select Holbrook Hollows under Parks.
Award candidates are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio. The OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence will be presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 4, 2020, at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio.
“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 effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”
Incorporated in 1963, OPRA is a non-profit, public interest organization representing more than 1,400 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 the health and wellness of its citizens.
For more on Geauga Park District offerings, please call 440-286-9516 or visit Geauga Park District online via www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
Pictured In Cover Photo: Holbrook Hollows
Photo courtesy of the Geauga Park District
