PRESS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2002
Contact:	Steven L. Cadwell Associate Director / Capital Campaign Director Nature Center at Shaker Lakes (216) 321-5935 ext. 27 uusteve@shakerlakes.org
New Building Will Help to Connect More with Nature
CLEVELAND (May 23, 2002) The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, 2600 South Park Blvd., begins construction and remodeling at its current home, nestled in the historic Shaker Parklands.
“By our actions today, the Nature Center will continue to serve future generations as this area’s premier provider of environmental education,” said Nancy King Smith, executive director.
The building project will remodel and expand the Center to add classroom space, a long-needed elevator and a visitor experience area. The existing building has stood since 1969, three years after the Nature Center was created in 1966, partly to stop a proposed freeway from destroying the Shaker Parklands.
Casual visitors -- those who wander by or who happen to be walking the network of trails -- will have an indoor place to learn more about the natural and local histories of the area.
Various “green” design elements such as a geothermal heating and cooling system, a “green roof” and recycled materials will be incorporated into the building design.
Sustainable building practices include reusing well-functioning building parts, constructing with minimum degradation to the surrounding trees and habitat, and recycling construction debris.
A nearby 36-inch red oak tree, somewhat diseased, did have to be removed. The useable wood has been milled for planned furnishings and art for the new building. Local, skilled, woodworker volunteers will create tables, chairs and benches once the wood has been dried.
The architect is Rick Parker of Schmidt Copeland Parker Stevens. The project is being managed by Panzica Construction.
A by-invitation groundbreaking ceremony, featuring mayors Jane Campbell of Cleveland, Judy Rawson of Shaker Heights and Ed Kelley of Cleveland Heights, will be May 23 at the Center.
The Nature Center leases land owned by the city of Cleveland. Cleveland also owns the land known as the Shaker Parklands, which extends from Fairhill Road to Eaton Road. The cities of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights have long-term leases with Cleveland on the portions of the Shaker Parklands which run through their cities.
A digital, color rendering is available to members of the media upon request.
The Nature Center, established in 1966, exists for the preservation and enjoyment of a natural area surrounded by city and suburb, and for the education of all in the region so they may become stewards of the environment. The Nature Center receives no tax dollars and is supported by the contributions of its 1,200 members.