Coe Lake Nature Trail & Riparian Restoration Project

Fall/Winter of 2003 The idea was presented to Ms. Myers by the city of Berea to beautify a neglected green-space area on the shores of Coe Lake. The idea was presented to Ms. Myers by the city of Berea to beautify a neglected green-space area on the shores of Coe Lake. Ms. Myers spoke with Mrs. Draves about helping out. Ms. Myers spoke with Mrs. Draves about helping out. Ms. Myers & Mrs. Draves expanded the “clean-up” idea into an “educational land lab” idea that would be utilized by BCSD students and the community. Ms. Myers & Mrs. Draves expanded the “clean-up” idea into an “educational land lab” idea that would be utilized by BCSD students and the community.

Purpose of Project To enhance the overall achievement in science subjects while fostering a deeper understanding of environmental concepts for local and global environmental stewardship by providing authentic hands on learning experiences that are aligned with the BCSD and Ohio Science Benchmarks.

Presentations Begin (Procure Funding/In-Kind Donations) Spring Present American Legion Post 91 (allow access, utilize RR) American Legion Post 91 (allow access, utilize RR) Business Advisory Council ($500.00) Business Advisory Council ($500.00) Kiwanis (volunteers) Kiwanis (volunteers) Berea Rotary Club ($ ) Berea Rotary Club ($ ) Berea City Club (signage, labor) Berea City Club (signage, labor) Educational Community Foundation ($ ) Educational Community Foundation ($ ) Blaze Construction (benches, picnic tables, labor) Blaze Construction (benches, picnic tables, labor) City of Berea (labor, expertise) City of Berea (labor, expertise) The Snow Family (major benefactor: $25,000) The Snow Family (major benefactor: $25,000) Community Development Block Grant (CBDG)-Cuyahoga County ($150,000.00) Community Development Block Grant (CBDG)-Cuyahoga County ($150,000.00)

Money Received Used for… Native Plants Organic Matter TopsoilMulch Ancillary materials needed for curriculum

Sustainability Recycled plastic picnic tables Recycled plastic picnic tables Recycled foundry sand and ash topsoil Recycled foundry sand and ash topsoil Recycled concrete/brick porous trail surface Recycled concrete/brick porous trail surface Use of native stone for trail and garden boundaries Use of native stone for trail and garden boundaries All native plant species used in plantings including a native prairie All native plant species used in plantings including a native prairie

Fall Present Site Beautification Community Planting Days Many students, staff and community members helped beautify Coe Lake. Many students, staff and community members helped beautify Coe Lake. Interesting items found in the area: Interesting items found in the area:refrigeratorsmattresses glass, glass, glass & more glass

Curriculum Writing Summer 2005 Kindergarten Kindergarten 1 st grade 1 st grade 2 nd grade 2 nd grade Packaged & organized curriculum bins Packaged & organized curriculum bins

Fall 2005 K-2 PILOT w/ Fairwood Elementary School K-2 PILOT w/ Fairwood Elementary School Formation of Coe Lake Advisory Committee Formation of Coe Lake Advisory Committee Community Planting Days Community Planting Days

Prairie Planting Spring 2006 Planted in Spring 2006 and took three years until it was established. Kurtz Brothers experimental topsoil (composed of waste foundry sand) as growth medium. Above picture taken Spring 2008

Opening Ceremony May 13, 2006

Curriculum Writing Summer rd Grade 3 rd Grade 4 th Grade 4 th Grade 5 th Grade 5 th Grade Packaged & Packaged & organized bins

Fall grade PILOT w/ Fairwood Elementary School 3-5 grade PILOT w/ Fairwood Elementary School Ongoing maintenance & improvement of the area Ongoing maintenance & improvement of the area

Since 2006 We have hosted over 50 classes from grade levels K-5. We have hosted over 50 classes from grade levels K-5. Since 2004 over 500 Berea High School students have been an integral part of the project. Since 2004 over 500 Berea High School students have been an integral part of the project. Since 2005 over 700 elementary students have experienced the Coe Lake Nature Trail. Since 2005 over 700 elementary students have experienced the Coe Lake Nature Trail.

Bridge Completed Summer 2009

Ohio’s Science Standards & The Coe Lake Nature Trail and Riparian Restoration Project The Coe Lake curriculum is aligned with Project 2061 benchmarks, OGT science standards and National Science Foundation and National Science Teacher Association standards for each grade level. The Coe Lake curriculum is aligned with Project 2061 benchmarks, OGT science standards and National Science Foundation and National Science Teacher Association standards for each grade level. The Riparian Restoration portion of the project seeks to improve the vegetative zone along the shore at Coe Lake so that weathering and erosion is minimized. This is being done with selective planting of blooming trees and shrubs. The Riparian Restoration portion of the project seeks to improve the vegetative zone along the shore at Coe Lake so that weathering and erosion is minimized. This is being done with selective planting of blooming trees and shrubs. This project is ongoing and involves Berea City School District, The Berea Community Development Cooperation, the city of Berea and the community. This project is ongoing and involves Berea City School District, The Berea Community Development Cooperation, the city of Berea and the community.

What You Need to Know So That You Can Communicate Intelligently about This Project to Others When it started (2003) When it started (2003) What was done 1 st (clean up of the area) What was done 1 st (clean up of the area) What was found? (mattresses,refrig.) What was found? (mattresses,refrig.) Major contributors? (The Snow Family, Rotary Club, Cuyahoga County, Blaze Construction, City of Berea) Major contributors? (The Snow Family, Rotary Club, Cuyahoga County, Blaze Construction, City of Berea) What are in-kind services? (donations in form of goods & services, no cash) What are in-kind services? (donations in form of goods & services, no cash) Purpose of project? (Foster an awareness of the environment through the teaching of science outdoors.) Purpose of project? (Foster an awareness of the environment through the teaching of science outdoors.) What school piloted the project? (Fairwood) What school piloted the project? (Fairwood) Who paid for the bridge? (The Snow Family, Cuyahoga County) Who paid for the bridge? (The Snow Family, Cuyahoga County) When was the opening ceremony? (May 13,2006) When was the opening ceremony? (May 13,2006) What sustainable choices were made at Coe Lake? What sustainable choices were made at Coe Lake?