Village of Moreland Hills Preserves 124-acre Forest
Parks Commission President Dan Fritz, left, joins Mayor Susan Renda and Charles Lang, former owner of more than half of the park's land at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Village of Moreland Hills Parks Commission held the grand opening of the 124-acre Forest Ridge Preserve in July. Forest Ridge Preserve is off Chagrin River Road between Chagrin Boulevard and South Woodland Road across from the Cleveland Metroparks’ South Chagrin Reservation.
Since 2005 the Village of Moreland Hills has been working with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to make this dream a reality. The Forest Ridge Preserve project would not have been possible without the continual contributions of hard work and invaluable time from our environmentally conscious residents, village employees both past and present, and our collaboration with several outside agencies that were willing to contribute to this project.
“Forest Ridge is another jewel in the Chagrin Valley that will be enjoyed by future generations. It is a dream that has come to be, thanks to vision and hard work of past and present administrations, generous land owners and supportive residents,” Councilman Ted Buczek said. The village received funds from the Ohio Public Works Commission, CELCP & Natureworks, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and private donations, to help with the purchase and trail expansion.
Moreland Hills next generation residents enjoy hiking in the new Forest Ridge Preserve.
The property has approximately 3.5 miles of natural walking and hiking marked trails for visitors to enjoy. The village is planning to add another 2 miles of trails. There are 150 species of plants and 68 species of birds that have been identified on the property. The property is also a habitat for six rare species of birds: dark-eyed junco, hermit thrush, sharp-shinned hawk, purple finch, black-throated blue warbler and brown creeper. There is also one threatened tree species—the butternut. The property is home to a mature upland forest with dominant tree species that include the sugar maple, wild black cherry, red maple, shagbark hickory, red oak, tulip poplar, white oak and white ash. There are more than 10,300 linear feet of headwater streams which are part of the Chagrin River watershed. The water from these streams eventually empty into Lake Erie. Permitted uses of the property include bird watching, nature study and cross country skiing. Horseback riding and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the property. Nature enthusiasts will be astonished by the natural landscapes of the region and the indigenous nature that surrounds them.
“I am overwhelmed by the natural beauty that exists in the preserve: hills, ravines, streams, marshland and massive trees prevail. The preserve changes with each season and each brings its own beauty. In spring the wildflowers are lovely and then the deep greens of summer come followed by the brilliant colors of fall and finally the quiet peace of a snowy winter day,” Mayor Susan Renda said.
For more information, contact Dina Lelonis at 440.248.1188 or villagehall@morelandhills.com.