Chagrin River project to be a 'win-win' for Willoughby

Marah Morrison, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read

May 30—Willoughby's Chagrin River Floodplain Land Conservation project was recently selected to receive grant funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate-Ready Coasts Initiative.

The funds will be used to acquire 105 acres of riparian habitat along the Chagrin River, according to the city.

"We are thrilled to be one of four cities in Ohio selected for this funding," said Mayor Bob Fiala. "This award is a critical step in protecting scarce land along the Chagrin River and increasing public access."

Willoughby has plans to partner with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and Chagrin River Watershed Partners going forward.

The overall project includes the creation of wetlands and vernal pools, decommissioning of an idled nursery, removal of evasive plant species, implementing walking trails, water quality improvements, riverbank erosion controls and the development of an environmental studies curriculum for students in kindergarten through college.

This conservation project is not only intended to provide critical habitat to increase climate resiliency but to improve public access and contribute to a growing conservation and recreation corridor along the river from Downtown Willoughby to Lake Erie.

"The benefits of this project are immense for the entire region," said Judean Keller, director Willoughby's Parks and Recreation. "We are protecting 105 acres of land that will now have public access while improving the water quality of the Chagrin River. This is a win-win for the community."

The newly acquired acres are a key link in starting the Chagrin River Trail portion of Willoughby's vision. This trail would be a 1.5-mile path connecting Daniels Park to Todd Field along the Chagrin River. The end goal is to provide better public access to the Chagrin River and connectivity between two existing parks.

The city has secured funding from various sources to start this project and is actively seeking other grants to assist.