Location

Shaker Heights, Ohio

IMPACT

The Master Plan identifies buildable, fundable, phased improvements that extend the cherished generational memories of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes Master Plan & Design

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes was founded in 1966 as a grassroots effort to preserve the Shaker Parklands. Key to the park’s outdoor educational programming is the All People’s Trail (APT), a one-third mile long elevated boardwalk winding through the floodplain wetlands, and provides nature education access to all. Built in the mid-1980s, these trails have surpassed their expected lifespan and the team identified and developed a phased master plan redevelopment of the campus.

Environmental Design Group developed a detailed renovation plan for these two treasured trails and park campuses. As part of this study, Nature Center at Shaker Lakes board members, committee members and staff met with Environmental Design Group to identify educational and programmatic needs. These meetings, along with on-site review of existing trail structure conditions, provided direction for the renovation and enhancement recommendations for the APT and Stearns Trails. In addition, Environmental Design Group provided surveying, design and documentation for the development of the Lavelle Family Amphitheater at the Nature Center. Currently the team is completing construction design for the All People’s Trail reconstruction. Environmental Design Group produced a consolidated packet for the owner, including schematic plans, images and illustratives to help tell the story of marketing goals for fundraising purposes.