60 years of success at Lake Metroparks

For anyone who enjoys history, it’s fun to look back at a particular year and see what some of the top news stories were at that time.

Right now, let’s flash back 60 years to 1958.

That’s the year Major League Baseball hit the West Coast. The Dodgers started playing baseball in Los Angeles and the Giants in San Francisco after the teams left Brooklyn and New York, respectively, in 1957.

With the space race between the United States and Soviet Union intensifying, 1958 also saw the United States launch its first satellite, Explorer 1.

Fans of rock ’n’ roll, meanwhile, were jolted as Elvis Presley put his music career on hold when he was inducted into the United States Army.

Here in Lake County, 1958 also marked the beginning of Lake Metroparks, which was formed under the authority of Chapter 1545 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Over the course of six decades, Lake Metroparks has grown impressively and performed admirably, and we believe its 60th anniversary merits special recognition for several key reasons.

First, we’re impressed at how Lake Metroparks has displayed steadfast commitment to its mission: “To conserve and preserve the natural resources of Lake County while providing a variety of safe, affordable and enjoyable educational and recreational programs and activities that enhance the quality of life in Lake County now and for the generations to follow.”

The park system, which started in 1958 with the donation of property that became Helen Hazen Wyman Park in Concord Township, today comprises more than 9,000 acres, with 38 parks and 50 miles of trails. In addition, portions of two state designated wild and scenic rivers — and many tributaries — flow through and are protected by Lake Metroparks.

We also marvel at the diversity of ways in which Lake Metroparks has carried out that mission.

Take for example, Lake Metroparks Farmpark at 8800 Euclid Chardon Road in Kirtland. Farmpark is a family-oriented science and cultural center devoted to agriculture and farming.

“Farmpark provides a connection to our agricultural roots, helping people understand where our food and clothing come from,” according to Lake Metroparks’ website. Places to visit in the Farmpark include a dairy parlor, dairy processing room and plant science center.

A key step to creating Farmpark was taken in 1987, when Lake Metroparks purchased the 235-acre Locust Farms. The next two years following the purchase were spent developing the concept for the park. Farmpark officially opened to the public on May 19, 1990.

Although other park districts around the country have established historic farms and preserved farming operations on farmland they’ve taken over, Farmpark is “a little bit unusual in trying to provide a broad scope,”said then-Farmpark Administrator Andy Baker in a 2015 News-Herald story. That broad scope includes all sorts of farming, between maple syrup production, wool, general livestock, dairy, row crops and greenhouses, Baker said.

While Farmpark will satisfy the tastes of those with a flavor for agriculture, people who prefer forests, streams, rivers, wetlands and wildlife, and activities such as fishing and hiking will find plenty of properties to choose from in the Lake Metroparks system.

As Lake Metroparks has built up an impressive portfolio of parks over the years, the agency also takes steps to choose its sites carefully.

“Our priority remains to focus primarily on land that protects and provides public access to the rivers or the lake,” said Lake Metroparks Executive Director Paul Palagyi. “Acquisitions that connect existing parks in those areas are of specific importance. Quite often we are approached by land owners who want to sell us property in Lake County and we routinely turn down potential acquisitions because they do not meet these criteria.”

But Lake Metroparks has succeeded by focusing on more than just the acquisition, upkeep and improvement of its properties. The park district also works hard to meet the needs of the people who use the parks.

“We have developed awardwinning programs for seniors and have built trails and boardwalks that are easily accessible by seniors and others with mobility impairments,” Palagyi said. “We have designed a wide range of extremely popular children’s programs and summer camps as well as various family-oriented programs and outdoor adventures.”

It is fitting to salute all present and past employees, administrators and board members of Lake Metroparks who have played a role in the organization’s launch, growth and long record of success. These people have made Lake Metroparks’ 60th anniversary an occasion worth celebrating.