Nature Center At Shaker Lakes—All People’s Trail

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes was founded in 1966 to preserve the Shaker Parklands from becoming a new freeway on Cleveland’s east side. A key element of the project’s outdoor education programming included the development of All People’s Trail, a one-third-mile-long elevated boardwalk winding through the floodplain wetlands of the North Branch of Doan Brook. Built in 1983, the trail surpassed its expected lifespan and needed replacement.

Environmental Design Group was engaged to develop a detailed renovation plan that included visioning and conceptual planning to reorder the gathering spaces and circulation to increase functionality and enjoyment. EDG provided master planning, surveying, ecological investigations, design, and documentation for the project. The new All People’s Trail enhances the user experience from the original design and provides more complete access through ADA-compliant design.

In addition to the new trail, EDG also conducted wetland and surface water delineation for All People’s Trail and nearby Stearns Trail, encompassing more than 15 acres, resulting in the replacement and rerouting of the existing trail systems to minimize the impacts on sensitive resources.

Project Photos