Cleveland Metroparks recognized as ‘Best in the Nation’

Visitors survey a panoramic overlook in Brighton Park, with views of Big Creek and Cleveland's industrial valley along the Cuyahoga River.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Most Northeast Ohioans are familiar with the excellence of Cleveland’s Metroparks, but a national agency has now bestowed its highest honor on the region’s “Emerald Necklace.”

Cleveland Metroparks has been awarded the 2021 “Award of Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management” by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. It is the highest national honor in the parks and recreation field.

The program honors public park and recreation agencies – as well as state park systems – for environmental stewardship, long-range planning, program development, resource management and volunteerism.

The recognition comes on the heels of a record-breaking 19.7 million visitors to the Metroparks in 2020.

In addition, the Metropark system has added more than 700 acres and nearly 30 miles of trails across its 18 separate parks making up the Emerald Necklace, and completed the Cleveland TIGER trails project, which links Cleveland’s residents to the region’s trail network, lakefront and Cleveland’s urban core since 2018.

Founded in 1965, the awards program honors public park and recreation agencies – as well as state park systems – for environmental stewardship, long-range planning, program development, resource management and volunteerism.

Park systems are only eligible to win the award once every five years.

This is the fifth Gold Medal Cleveland Metroparks has been awarded in the program’s history and the second awarded to Cleveland Metroparks under the leadership of Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized among our national peers as the top park system in the country and bring the Gold Medal home to our communities in Northeast Ohio,” said Zimmerman, in a media release.

A 2018 Trust for Public Land study revealed that Cleveland Metroparks generates an annual regional economic impact of $873 million by enhancing property values, reducing stormwater runoff, improving local health and wellness, and generating tourism.

“All of Northeast Ohio should be proud of our Emerald Necklace and what we have accomplished together for the betterment of our region,” Zimmerman said.

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