Strongsville Park To Get $1.8 Million Upgrade Thanks To Grant

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Bonnie Park will be getting a $1.88 million facelift thanks to a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Crews will be working on a dam that touches the east branch of the Rocky River.

The Metroparks say the dam is an impediment to the natural flow of the river. That mucks up sediment transport, fish passage and macroinvertebrate populations. As such, the dam will either be removed or overhauled. The project will also include the restoration of nearby wetlands.

"This project will help us further improve the condition of our waterways and restore valuable wetlands to their natural state," said Brian M. Zimmerman, CEO of Cleveland Metroparks.

Some manmade structures will be modified to improve the flow of the Rocky River. However, the Metroparks said they would preserve the stonework of the original structures as much as possible.

"This project is critical to improving the health and vitality of our waterways as well as native plants and wildlife in the region," said Terry Robison, Cleveland Metroparks director of natural resources.

The $1.88 million grant is the largest ever received by the Cleveland Metroparks.

Photo from the Cleveland Metroparks