Civic Engagement Committee

Serving with me on our committee are currently Vikki Broer and Petra Moran. We have researched a number of community based nonprofits to see if we could develop programs with our club that would qualify for Garden Club of America awards in the Civic Improvement category. These awards cover the Founders Fund, Common Ground Collaborative, Partners for Plants, the Hull Award and the Restoration Initiative. We will submit articles about the places we visit to help you to learn about the large number of activities in Northeast Ohio that are in line with the GCA’s purpose, vision, mission and values and hence those of the Shaker Lakes Garden Club.

The last visit, but first submitted to our newsletter, was to Garfield Park Reservation to see the future classroom and outdoor site for their Nature Preschool program. We were hosted by Mary Rouse, Director of Outdoor Experiences, Erica Anton, Nature Preschool Program Administrator, and Natalie Ronayne, Chief Development Officer, for Cleveland Metroparks.

Nature Preschool is a relatively new addition to Cleveland Metroparks and embraces the philosophy of Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. Experiences young children have at preschool age can last their entire lives. This formative stage is a window to help foster a love of nature and the outdoors. Cleveland Metroparks Nature Preschool seeks to develop nurturing relationships with young children in order to get the children to truly learn about and create meaningful experiences with nature. The mission of Cleveland Metroparks Nature Preschool is fostering healthy development, connecting children to nature, and inspiring the next generation.

Cleveland Metroparks Nature Preschool offers a true preschool experience. The program is licensed though the Ohio Department of Education and children attend a full school year – from September through May. To ensure that children’s growth is supported, activities are based on Ohio Department of Education early learning standards. But the whole curriculum is nature based and children spend most of their time outside during the entire year – rain, shine, or snow. Currently, Cleveland Metroparks Nature Preschool operates in two reservations, Rocky River on the west side and North Chagrin on the east. There are plans in 2023 to expand to a more central location in the beautiful and soon-to-be-renovated Garfield Park Reservation.

More information about Nature Preschool can be found at http://clevelandmetroparks.com/preschool or by reaching out to preschool@clevelandmetroparks.com.

Cynthia Druckenbrod and I visited the future classroom and outdoor learning area in a building that had been used as a nature center. The classroom will be fitted out soon with all the materials needed as well as cubbies and a bathroom. The outdoor area is already enclosed but needs a total makeover with paths and plantings.