Congress established the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 1974, originally as a national recreation area. In the 50 years since the park’s establishment, advocates have worked to repair the impacts of industry and urbanization, and renew the natural and cultural resources. The park is now celebrated as an example of accessible wild space, mere steps away from urban and suburban corridors.
CVNP has not only preserved Ohio’s natural landscapes but has served as a resource for the community's well-being, offering a connection to forests, trails, and the river.
The latest "Sound of Ideas: Community Tour," taped on Monday, July 14 in front of a live audience at Happy Days Lodge in Peninsula, highlighted 50 years of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and looked ahead at the challenges and opportunities for the park's future.
The first portion on the discussion included Lisa Petit, the Superintendent of the national park who spoke about the park's history, the importance of protecting the area's natural resources, and some of the challenges the park has faced over the last several decades.
Later in the program, we heard from local mental health experts, some of whom are working with CVNP to increase accessibility to wild spaces for communities who have traditionally felt unwelcome or excluded.
The experts are working with the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Nature Rx to create programming for people across Northeast Ohio.
Guests:
- Lisa Petit, Ph.D., Superintendent, Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Donté Gibbs, VP of Community Partnerships, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
-Lisa Ramirez, Ph.D. ABPP, Director, Child Psychology, The MetroHealth System
- Shannon Speaks, LISW-S, MSSA, ACC, Mental Health Therapist, Certified Mindfulness Teacher at Summa Health & ICF Coach & Nature Rx program advisor
