Cleveland Green Line meets green experts at South Park and Shaker

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, designated the transit stop at South Park and Shaker boulevards as the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes stop  

Nature Center and RTA
executive staff were on hand, as well as Service Corp. fourth graders from Onaway School, to plant native plants around the stop. Lawn Lad, Inc., a Heights-area landscape design, build, and
landscape management company, prepped the grounds for planting and donated all
the native plants.

"We are very excited
about the South Park transit stop officially being named the Nature Center
stop," said Nature Center at Shaker Lakes Executive Director Kay Carlson. "The Nature Center consists of 20 acres of
wildlife habitat, including forests, wetland areas, stream and field and
prairie areas and we are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable outreach
in our region. RTA officials are making huge strides with their Project
Sustainability and our partnership along their Green Line, which is basically
in our front yard, just makes sense."

In addition to adorning
the stop with native plants, the interior of the shelter includes a walking map
from the stop to the Nature Center. The map features green "Did you know?"
facts about the environment, as well as RTA’s sustainability efforts.

"This effort is just one
more step in RTA’s continuing effort to be environmentally friendly," says Joe
Calabrese, CEO and General Manager. "We promote clean air, energy independence
and alternative forms of transportation. We recycle, and stress energy
conservation in all we do. Today, we are increasing the visibility of the
Nature Center and promoting a healthy walk for our riders. We look forward to
this growing partnership to promote environmental sustainability."

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes was founded in 1966 as the result of a grassroots
community effort to preserve the Shaker Parklands from becoming the route for a
new freeway connecting Cleveland’s East Side to downtown. The mission of the
Nature Center is to conserve a natural area, connect people with nature, and
inspire environmental stewardship. The Nature Center is recognized as a model
urban environmental resource that welcomes all and enriches people’s lives
through education, innovative programs, and community involvement.