Cuyahoga Valley, Ohio

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

A Return to the Riverfront

Studio Zewde was commissioned by the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park to develop a master plan of 220 acres of newly-acquired park land. The enciting spirit for this project was the creation of a landscape that welcomed new visitors from underrepresented communities to the park. While the national park is a treasure of Northeast Ohio, its usership has not extended to the diverse communities of Cleveland and Akron.

Studio Zewde’s research revealed that for generations, Black recreation clubs flourished in the Cuyahoga Valley before it became a national park. Studio Zewde has honored this history and taken up the call for welcome by designing a water’s edge that is safe, accessible, ecologically vibrant, and reflective of the many stories of the Cuyahoga Valley. Chagrin Valley Engineers and Biohabitats have been critical partners as we have designed alternate routes for the well-trafficked road in order to ensure that our ambitious vision is as beneficial for the community and environment as possible.