Charitable Projects Site Tour

On August 18, a dozen SLGC members toured three local locations to observe the impact of grants from our Charitable Projects efforts and to learn about the programs, plans and accomplishments of the organizations.

The initial gathering was at the Shaker Lakes Nature Center where Grants Manager Julia Mitchell and Natural Resources Specialist Nick Mikash showed the entrance to the rebuilt and redesigned All People’s Trail where a grant in 2019 helped to support this significant effort. Then we saw the entrance to the completely rebuilt Stearns Trail where workmen are currently constructing a children’s nature play area, a project which received our largest grant in 2020.

Then, following the All People’s Trail along North Park Boulevard, the group walked to the Lower Lake where John Barber and Peggy Spaeth, founders of Friends of the Lower Lake under the auspices of the Doan Brook Watershed, work with dedication to rid the entire Lower Lake trail of invasive plants to enable the native plants to re-emerge. Their primarily all-volunteer group has made an extensive and visible restoration of the Canoe Club area and its surrounds. We supported these efforts with grants in 2019 and 2020. FYI: Volunteers are welcome to help every Sunday morning from 10 to 1.

The group then visited Onaway School to speak with Shaker Heights Art teacher Tim Kalan who received a grant in 2018 for native gardens and creation of student Garden Clubs at both Onaway and Lomond Schools. We saw large, flourishing beds and learned about Tim’s dedication to improving these public spaces by sharing knowledge and skills ,as well as pleasure in gardening in young elementary age students.