Cleveland Metroparks — Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Study (CHEERS)

Cleveland Metroparks worked closely with 12 community-based organizations and 40 stakeholder groups in restoring Lake Erie’s eastern shorefront. The team managed to conduct virtual and in-person outreach activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and develop a plan for 150 acres of park and habitat amenities, including 80 acres of newly acquired park land. Over 1,500 community members participated in the community outreach events, and various communication strategies, including web-based meeting tools, community surveys, and on-site “walkshops”, help engage local community to develop preliminary restoration plan that serve existing communities, maintain affordable housing, avoid resident displacement, and encourage equitable development.