Penny Postcard of Garfield Park 1908

[Image Credit: Cleveland Memory Project, Cleveland State University Library Special Collections]

Eras

Somewhere around the middle of Shell Silverstein’s iconic book "The Giving Tree”, it becomes pretty clear that there’s a transactional quality to the relationship between the boy and the tree with questionable reciprocity. Now, this isn’t to say that there’s anything wrong with the story, in fact, I can’t get through it without tearing up. The tree’s selflessness extends throughout the boy's whole life, tailored to each phase, where just the right antidote is offered up to him. Among its many interpretations, it paints a picture of the nonreciprocal exchange that most of us have with nature. That goes for parks, as well. Going all the way back to Boston Common, city dwellers have had an imbalanced relationship with their shared green spaces.

Garfield Park Reservation is a good example of a natural area that has consistantly given to us through all the eras of the American municipal park. When its land was purchased from three farmsteads on the edge of Cleveland's borders in 1895, it was part of an early attempt to create a retreat from city life. Along with its contemporaries: Gordon Park, Wade Park, Edgewater Park, Brookside Park, Shaker Lakes, Rockefeller Park, Washington Park, and Luke Easter Park, the creation of Garfield Park marked Cleveland's attempt to catch up to its peers. The city's industrial might matched other cities of its size but it lagged behind in the development of public leisure spaces. In the 19th century, the rapid industrialization of cities led to overcrowded living conditions, pollution, and a lack of natural environments. All over the country, municipal parks inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted's Central Park in New York City were created to provide urban dwellers with a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. These early parks were often designed with picturesque landscapes, walking paths, and ornamental gardens to promote relaxation and leisure among the urban population. They were completely engineered to reflect an idealized view of nature that was to be experienced in a passive sense. It was in this "Pleasure Garden" style that landscape gardener Ernest W. Bowditch designed Garfield Park. He dammed Wolf Creek to create two ponds, as a key feature of the park. There were paths to stroll, vistas to take in views and picnic grounds. People often brought jugs with them to take the water from the park's natural iron spring, alledging it had the power to cure a wide variety of ailments. I've got to imagine that there may have been some ladies fainting and people getting the vapors during their park outtings. The park was there for all the needs of a gilded age park goer.

Garfield Park Stone Footbridge

[Photo Credit: Cleveland Memory Project, Cleveland State University Library Special Collections]

By the early 20th century, parks had become crucial in the social reform movement, aimed at improving public health and moral well-being. Playgrounds, sports fields, and recreational facilities were introduced to encourage physical activity, especially among children. The emphasis shifted from passive enjoyment of natural beauty to active participation in outdoor activities. Garfield Park evolved, providing swimming, tennis and baseball in the summer and sledding and ice skating on the frozen ponds in the winter. The park became a place for people to gather, holding various ethnic celebrations and concerts. During the Great Depression, the park was subject to several WPA projects including its defining element, its stone bridge. Stone was quarried from within the park to build the bridge, retaining walls, stairs and a colonnaded boathouse.

The old Garfield Park Boathouse 1980. The back of the picture reads "old boathouse-now the perfect place for beer parties."

[Photo Credit: Cleveland Memory Project, Cleveland State University Library Special Collections]

After World War II, the growth of suburbs brought a new wave of park development further from the city center. Older parks struggled to compete for funding. They were subject to all the same pressures that were shaping cities at that time: pollution, suburbanization, the highway system, white flight, and a new cynicism that had taken hold in society, affecting the way that we treated our public spaces. Garfield Park had become run down, its aging infrastructure strained under the weight of neglect, but it was still used by people on a daily basis. To paraphrase Shel Silverstein, "and the park was happy...but not really". These were rough times to be an old city park.

1986 brought a change to Garfield Park when Cleveland Metroparks took over park operations. A nature center was built in 1987 and the park district set to work improving and maintaining the existing layout. During the 1950s and 60s the land around the parks had been completely built out, changing the landscape and drainage systems. Years of silt build-up from the surrounding area had turned the ponds into a marsh. Since the artificial ponds were originally lotic waters that were dammed to create a water feature, they were allowed to remain in that state. The park still had a lot to offer but it maintained staus quo over the next four decades.

Last Fall, the ribbon was cut on the next evolution of Garfield Park. The construction of a boathouse and the complete restoration of the waterways that feed the newly dredged, 15-foot-deep ponds, will allow fishing and boating - reckoning back to its early days. The footbridge was disassembled, stone by stone and carefully restored. Trails have been enhanced, and the boathouse's red roof serves as a visual marker from most vistas in the park, helping to create a sense of place. These days, a park can still contain all of their classical elelments but also serve as places of inclusion, community, and active places of environmental conservation and urban water management. It's about time that we show a little more love to the places that give us so much.

On July 9th, we'll have a chance to visit the park, now in its green infrastructure era. We'll be joined by Elizabeth Hiser, Cleveland Metroparks Stream Restoration Ecologist, to tour Cleveland Metroparks Garfield Park Pond and Stream Restoration Project. WVP volunteers can sign up for this Watershed Wednesday event here and all of our other watershed friends can register here!

Sara Corrigan

WVP Coordinator

Watershed Spotlight

What's all the dam commotion about? In a project of national significance, Summit Metro Parks and a large coalition of community partners are working together to remove the Gorge Dam on the Cuyahoga River. Summit Metro Parks Chief of Conservation Mike Johnson and Watershed Specialist Elaine Marsh will take listeners behind the scenes of Free the Falls, the dam removal that will create a vibrant future for the river, its watershed and its people.

The Free the Falls Podcast (on Apple and Spotify)

Happenings

(R) Invasive Mugwort Removal

June 12, 2025 @ Wildwood Park in Euclid Creek Watershed

[Photo Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

WVP Opportunities

Key

(L)earning: These events include talks, workshops, and training sessions.

(M)onitoring: These events include water quality testing through chemistry and macroinvertebrate monitoring.

(R)estoration: These events include bioretention clean-ups, tree plantings, invasive plant removal, etc.

(O)utreach: These events are used to spread awareness of the Watershed Volunteer Program and general watershed health.

(M) Training: Water Chemistry*

Thu, Jun 26, 6-8 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center's Laboratory, West Creek Reservation

(M) Marine Debris Monitoring

Sun, Jun 29, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Euclid Beach in Euclid Creek Watershed

(M) Large Woody Debris Index & Bank Erosion Hazard Index

Tue, Jul 1, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ TBD

(M) Marine Debris Monitoring

Sun, Jul 6, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Euclid Beach in Euclid Creek Watershed

(M) Large Woody Debris Index & Bank Erosion Hazard Index

Tue, Jul 8, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ TBD

(L) Watershed Wednesday: Garfield Park Pond and Stream Restoration

Wed, July 9, 6 - 7:30 pm @ Garfield Park Reservation in Mill Creek Watershed

(L) Euclid Creek Fish Sampling* (Rescheduled)

Sat, July 12, 1 - 4 p.m.@ Wildwood Park, Euclid Creek Reservation in Euclid Creek Watershed

(R) Green Infrastructure Gardening Series*

Sun, Jul 13 , 9 - 11 a.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation in West Creek Watershed

(M) Scenic Rivers Macro Monitoring

Tue, Jul 15 (Rain Date: Fri July 18), 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Old River Farm Picnic Area, North Chagrin Reservation in Chagrin River Watershed

(R) Work Session: Invasive Cattail Removal

Thu, Jul 17, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation in Rocky River Watershed

(R) Green Infrastructure Gardening Series*

Sun, Jul 20, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Wildwood, Euclid Creek Reservation in Euclid Creek Watershed

(M) Large Woody Debris Index & Bank Erosion Hazard Index

Tue, Jul 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ TBD

(L) Watershed Wednesday w/ Rocky River Watershed

Wed, Jul 23, 6 - 7:30 pm @ Greenbriar Valley in North Royalton

(R) Green Infrastructure Gardening Series*

Sun, Jul 27, 9 - 11 a.m. @ Bear Parking Lot, Brookside Reservation in Big Creek Watershed

(M) Large Woody Debris Index & Bank Erosion Hazard Index

Tue, Jul 29, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ TBD

(R) Work Session: Invasive Cattail Removal

Tue, Jul 29, 6 - 8 p.m. @ Lake Isaac, Big Creek Reservation in Rocky River Watershed

WVP volunteers, please log into Volgistics to register for primary events.

*Open to the public. Click Here or Email us for the registration link.

View Event Details

(R) Green Infrastructure Gardening Series

June 15, 2025 @ Bear Parking Lot, Brookside Reservation in Big Creek Watershed

[Photo Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Opportunities With Our Partners

(S) Henninger House Yard Maintenance

Wed, Jun 25, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ Henninger House

Join West Creek Conservancy to keep the grounds of the historic Henninger House looking good! We will be weeding, planting and picking up trash. Dress for the weather and check your email before heading out for any last minute changes. Park in the adjacent shopping plaza.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) EPA ORD Water Research Webinar - Risk-Based Framework for Fit-for-Purpose Water Reuse: State of the Science

Wed, Jun 25, 2- 3 p.m. @ Online

Risk-based water reuse management continues to gain traction throughout the U.S. This presentation will introduce the recent EPA report Risk-Based Framework for Developing Microbial Treatment Targets for Water Reuse, which describes the conceptual framework underpinning these approaches and provides a detailed discussion of current scientific assumptions for conducting the associated quantitative microbial risk assessments (QMRA). In addition to enabling calculation of new fit-for-purpose water treatment levels, it includes computed pathogen log reduction targets (LRTs) across a variety of municipal and onsite reuse configurations. Implementation considerations, key sources of uncertainty, and future research needs are also identified with an emphasis on removal crediting processes.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Watershed Wonders Game Night

Wed, Jun 25, 6 - 7 p.m. @ 8505 Nicodemus Road, Ravenna, OH 44266

Join Tinker's Creek Watershed Partners for a FREE family-friendly Watershed Wonders Game Night with Holly Stoneberg at Portage Park District. Discover how watersheds work and why they matter with hands-on learning and a fun, interactive water protection game.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Rain Barrel Workshop

Wed, Jun 25, 6 - 7 p.m. @ Richmond Heights Community Center

Learn how to collect rainwater for outdoor use and help stop stormwater pollution in your community by making a rain barrel!

At this event, you’ll learn how to put together and set up your rain barrel. If you prefer, you can pick up your rain barrel and build it at home using an online video.

The $60 fee covers the cost of the workshop and all materials, including a 60-gallon barrel, drill bits, and a downspout diverter. If you want to create a two-barrel system, you can get a second barrel and connector kit for an extra $40.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Fishing Rod Assembly Volunteering

Fri, Jun 27, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. @ Garfield Park Reservation

Join Doan Brook Watershed Partnership to help prepare for Family Fishing Day. Do you want to give back to your community? We will be assembling up to 300 fishing rods in preparation for Family Fishing Day, where we will give away these rods!

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Family Fishing Day

Sat, Jun 28, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. @ Rockefeller Lagoon

Join Doan Brook Watershed Partnership and Cleveland Metroparks at Rockefeller Lagoon for Family Fishing Day! Every year we host Family Fishing Day at Rockefeller Lagoon. This free event is an opportunity for people of all ages and experience levels to enjoy a day of fishing and watershed education. Children, senior citizens and veterans will receive a free fishing rod while supplies last, and experienced fishing instructors will be onsite. This venue is wheelchair accessible, and we welcome participants of all abilities.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) UP! A Creek 2025

Sat, Jun 28, 6 - 1 1 p.m. @ Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

West Creek Conservancy's major annual fundraiser. This event brings together over 500 supporters for an evening of conservation celebration. Enjoy small bites, drinks, raffles, live music, and more. This event brings together over 500 supporters for an evening of conservation celebration.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Master Rain Gardener Class

Registration open now, course runs Jul 10 - Aug 14, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. @ Watershed Stewardship Center, West Creek Reservation

Learn to design and install your own rain garden and become the rain garden expert in your neighborhood.

The Master Rain Gardener (MRG) course includes five (5) classes over a six-week period (see timeline below). Each class is from 10 a.m. - 1:00 pm. The end time of each class may extend depending on the optional field trip location(s). Classes also include homework, quizzes, individualized feedback. Light snacks will be provided.

This course will provide you with the information and experience to build your own rain garden and become a Certified Master Rain Gardener. We recognize that not everyone can build a rain garden on their own property though, so you can also become certified by participating in a public rain garden building, volunteering at a public rain garden, or passing along your new expertise to the public (i.e. presenting to your garden club, at a public library, etc.)

Upon certification, you’ll receive a Master Rain Gardener t-shirt, sign, and certificate (included in the cost of registration).

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE)

Tue, Jul 8 @ 1 p.m. - Thur Jul 10 @ 12 p.m. @ Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve

Engage in hands-on monitoring and learn how to integrate this data into your practice. Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) hosts this one-of-a-kind immersive overnight experience. Room and board are included.

Participants are eligible for a $200 stipend and 1 free credit hour of graduate credit from Ashland University, but they must attend all three days of the workshop.

Registration is required no later than Friday, June 6 to ensure we can prepare all the materials needed for you.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Rain Barrel Workshop

Wed, Jul 9, 6 - 7 p.m. @ Mayfield Heights Aquatic & Community Center

Learn how to collect rainwater for outdoor use and help stop stormwater pollution in your community by making a rain barrel!

At this event, you’ll learn how to put together and set up your rain barrel. If you prefer, you can pick up your rain barrel and build it at home using an online video.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Invasive Plant Removal Drop In

Thur, Jul 10, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Must register for location)

Are you looking for a way to get involved at Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Join us for our invasive plant removal drop-in on Thursday, July 10, to improve habitat for native plants and wildlife! Invasive species overcrowd native species, making it difficult for them to thrive, which in turn affects the wildlife in the ecosystem. Your efforts will help improve soil quality, restore native plants, and create better habitat for native wildlife. Drop-ins are a great opportunity for both first-time volunteers and veteran volunteers to get involved in their national park.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Friends of the Doan Brook Gorge Habitat Stewardship

Sat, Jul 12, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. @ Doan Brook Gorge

A few years ago, some friends got together to start removing invasive species and planting native species in the Doan Brook Gorge in the hopes of making it a more resilient and accessible spot for community members to spend time in nature. Filled with meandering trails and multiple waterfalls, the Doan Brook Gorge is a beautiful and often under-utilized natural area of the Doan Brook watershed.

This year, we are hosting 6 “Habitat Stewardship Days” which will involve invasive species removal, native tree plantings, and so much more! Join us in helping to make the Doan Brook Gorge a more biodiverse and welcoming outdoor space for all!

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Let’s Go Green: Wind and Geothermal Energy

Sun, Jul 13, 1 - 2:30 p.m. @ LP/Nature Center

Join Summit Metroparks for the monthly “Let’s Go Green” program as we explore wind and geothermal energy. We’ll cover how wind power works, regulations for wind turbines and the feasibility of installing them at home. Additionally, we’ll dive into geothermal heating and cooling, with a firsthand look at the system at Liberty Park Nature Center.

More Information and Registration Here

(S) Furnace Run River Health Workshop

Thur, Jul 17, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. @ Brushwood Lodge - Furnace Run Metro Park

Come learn how biologists assess the health of rivers and streams.

What's included: Furnace Run: Status and Threats Presentation, Live Sampling Demonstrations & Trainings : 1) Citizen Stream Habitat Evaluation, 2) Macroinvertebrate Sampling, & 3) Electrofishing Demo, & Interactive games and educational materials through our partner organizations.

Registration open until June 30.

More Information and Registration Here

More (S)upplemental events can be found on our website here.

*WVP volunteers can submit supplemental hours in Volgistics under (S) Watershed Partner Event Contact us if you need assistance reporting any hours.

(R) Work session: Bioswale Panting

June 18, 2025 @ Brecksville Reservation in Chippewa Creek Watershed

[Photo Credit: Cleveland Metroparks]

Extras

News

June 20, 2025 Marked the

50th Anniversary of Jaws

Jaws at 50: Was the Terrifying Movie Really to Blame for Worldwide Shark Declines? | Read on

Jaws' Director Steven Spielberg with One of the Mechanical

Sharks He Used During Filming of the Movie

Jaws has become a classic, but struck fear in the hearts of so many people throughout the years. Since its release, the movie has also received a lot of blame for the sharp decrease in shark numbers globally. But is there any truth to that? The article above highlights different behavioral effects the film had on people as well as some recent history about shark/ray population declines while showing if these two occurrences can at all be tied together.

[Image Credit: Universal Studios/Alamy]