September 27, 2024 • 22 mins
Over a century ago, the idea for the Ohio’s first Park District was envisioned as an “Emerald Necklace” of greenspace encircling the city of Cleveland – providing the region with relaxation and respite to soften the quick rise of industry. Hear from CEO Brian Zimmerman and Board of Park Commissioner Bruce Rinker on what’s changed for Cleveland Metroparks, what hasn’t, and projects underway that are bringing back the past to shape the present.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Unknown
(00:09):
Welcome to Cleveland Metroparks very first podcast episode. One of Tales and Trails. You know what I think about the 107 years of Cleveland Metroparks? And I think back to William Goldman, how progressive he was and the thought process that he used to really capture the very first three acres. And now we've grown to almost 25,000 acres. We continue to find ways to reach audiences, whether you're a wildlife lover, whether you've got family interests in nature, whether you're out using one of our recreation facilities as our golf courses.
(00:41):
This is really a very unique opportunity for you to spend about 20 minutes and pick something up about Cleveland Metroparks, and I thought there was no better way to kind of introduce the very first Trails and Trails podcast than to have Bruce Rinker, the longest serving current commissioner, one of three, to be our guest. And so welcome, Bruce, to the first podcast.
Thank you. Good to be here.
(01:02):
We've had our little trials and tribulations to get it going, but we're we're really kind of pumped to to be able to share some kind of content. And you know, Bruce, I couldn't ask for a better park commissioner. His legacy really is, is unmatched. his time served as time served. his service. Yes. His service to the public is really unparalleled.
(01:24):
When I think of the time he spent with Mayfield Village as a council person, and then really talking about, his tenure as a mayor and now 14 years with the Cleveland Metroparks. First, talk about what it means to be in public service and then kind of overlay that into what it means to be a commissioner, like one of three literally guiding this park district to the next century of stewardship.
Well, thank you for the introduction. that's kind of a hard question to answer, I think a long time ago. I got involved almost by accident in Mayfield Village government. And Mayfield Village is a small town, 3500 people. I think we even count four legged critters. and it just kind of progressed from there. And interesting for, from my standpoint, with North Chagrin Reservation being approximately a quarter of the acreage, the corporate acreage of, Mayfield Village.
(02:17):
We always had that close, connection in one way, but another way was, an opportunity for me to see how in our village we could find a better way to improve quality of life. And because it's a small village. just a part time job, I used to joke was a full time, part time job. I was able to get more of a hands on feel for government that really can be effective.
(02:45):
And that's really what kept me going all that time. So for me, the public service was a lot of the satisfaction in finding ways to use the resource that we had. just to better everyone's lot in life. It was very rewarding.
Talk about the long game, though, when you when when you and I have talked, I mean, we've been together almost the entire time, 14 plus years. When you talk about, you know, strategy and you talk about the cohesiveness of of how the park district, you know, currently runs, you know, how long does it take to get some of these projects going and the satisfaction of, of and then the interaction back and forth and the interplay between governments and, you know, municipalities.
(03:22):
Well, you find that the best laid plans are never what you end up with. but and you see it definitely with metro parks. I had to learn kind of as I went along, but I came to recognize that if you persevere or if you're patient, you keep your eye on the prize, eventually you can accomplish things.
(03:44):
And I think that was the most important lesson for me that, you have to find ways. I'm in a political system. There's always a give and take, sometimes more take than give. but at the end of the day, if you find a, a message, I think that resonates, you get public support, which is critical.
and then you just become, I think, much more aware of the kinds of things that you can accomplish that they're worth achieving. And so you just go about and you work at it.
(04:14):
Talk to me about Williamston. if he were here today in your eyes, what would he. What would he say? What do you think he would say about what's followed his tenure here as the longest serving executive of this organization? His original, you know, Boulevard model. you think of mayor Tom Johnson. You think of the homesteads. What would he say if he landed in South Chagrin Reservation today?
(04:39):
I think he would be struck by how similar it is in a lot of ways, but from my understanding of the man, he was so creative and so fascinated with cutting edge technology development, I think he'd be very, very pleased and probably very proud of what's being done. I think he'd fit right in. If he could work at it again, he'd pick up where, or maybe we've left off and get right at it.
(05:07):
I think he would love it.
Well, it's interesting you're smiling. there are very few pictures where our founder actually smiled. He he had such a kind of stern and, you know, dedicated look, you know, a self-taught engineer kind of worked his way through of where the park district, you know, kind of laid. You know, and there were times where he was revered and jeered, kind of at the same time we preserved.
(05:28):
But then we enhanced and talk to us a little bit about, you know, the evolution of the Park district and where do you see that next century of stewardship kind of taking us?
Well, I think, probably the most significant change is that it was the first hand century, really, in collecting much of the green space that that comprises the the bulk of the park system. and really, with the advent of your administration and the team that you've been able to put together and commissioners, I would say, have been fully on board, it's recognizing that we now face a built environment.
(06:06):
Back then, there was a lot of green space. I mean, what is today? All the suburbs even close in was all farmland when Winchcombe started. So not to say that was easier, but it was just a much, more passive kind of environment acquiring land. Now, what we've seen is that all these communities have infrastructure that's aging.
(06:28):
properties that developed. And the real big challenge has been, I guess the analogy I can make is you can have a farm field and plenty of area to cultivate, but when you've got a small, urban garden, you have to use that interior space more creatively. I think what we're finding in the Metroparks, as we work our way back into the heart of the greater Cleveland area, as opposed to building out, we're really rebuilding in that, to me, has been the big challenge going forward is that redevelopment strategy.
(07:02):
It's more complex. it's more expensive, more challenging, but at the same time, I think more rewarding.
So we're here with Bruce Rinker, commissioner of the Cleveland Metroparks, longest serving of our current three. What I find fascinating is, is over history, because you kind of look at how does history replicate itself over time. The very first three commissioners professions were a lawyer. They were an entrepreneur, and they were in real estate. And you kind of have that dual background with your real estate and practice.
(07:32):
you're practicing or recovering lawyer. attorney. but.
I think trying to figure out retirement, but not there yet.
unsuccessful so far, which we very much appreciate. Your, your, you know, position and assistance with the Metroparks, but you think of, of how, it was crafted and there's only been 37 commissioners in 106 years. Talk about what that means from a stability standpoint and a strength of, perseverance and following, like the strategic plans.
(07:59):
So I think there are two parts that one is the structure itself. I think for an organization of this size and breadth, the scope of it, we're probably one of the smallest boards, for any comparable kind of organization. and in the past, there's been some discussion about maybe expanding the board membership. But what I find to be sort of that strength and weakness all at once is with a small group like that, I think we're much more responsive.
(08:30):
We can be more hands on. And in terms of policy and programing and just pursuing goals and achieving them. I think it's made us a more nimble organization. So I think that's very important. and then the other is in Ohio. We've we've talked about this. Ohio is what's known as home rule, which is every municipality basically is its own fiefdom.
(08:56):
And in Cuyahoga County, you have 60. you look at Franklin County, I think there are two, so the difference is you have really a lot of competition for the dollars, for the planning, development, all of those things. Whereas Metro parks, we have this much broader base. So we really serve everyone as opposed to one small community.
(09:17):
We serve a lot of communities and I believe that especially in the last ten years or so, really, since you've come on board, the philosophy of the metro parks has been to take full advantage of that base and applying those resources, very, very effectively, because I don't think historically there's anything to compare with the ability to partner, to secure funding from so many sources.
(09:46):
And, like Daniel Burnham said, make no little plans, has been big plans and they get done.
Well, I think that's the beauty of it. So, you know, speaking as the, you know, so the board of commissioners, there's 33.33% power between the president, vice president, vice president. They appoint the secretary and treasurer of the board, which are essentially the CFO and the CEO. For that to work the way it does is the level of transparency in government.
(10:11):
And when I think you talk about larger governments, you know, who's who's on first, who's actually doing the work. And these three commissioners do the work every single board meeting.
But you remind me of something that is really it's foundational, because the way the structure of the organization works, it starts with the probate judge, Anthony Russo. And candidly, what really was a turning point, a pivot, an inflection point is, common parlance. Now is when Judge Russo came on board, he looked very closely being a native Clevelander, family in Chicago.
(10:48):
He started making comparisons between what Cleveland and Chicago have, what they share, what's different. And he led the way in creating the lakefront reservation. I mean, that really was a driving force. And the judge is an elected official. So of all of the positions, in governance, there's one elected official. He's the one who has to make sure that he answers to the public.
(11:16):
And I think we're all very mindful of the fact that Judge Russo and trust and so many of us, the responsibility to get things done. But he's always there, always mindful of it. And that part of the machinery, I think is really a it's an important cog.
For sure. And, you know, when we we're going to dive a little bit into some of the park projects, you know. So I was wearing tennis shoes today. And you know, it's the we have to be prepared for all seasons in one day and different levels of being in the office and speaking. And, you know, today we had the chance to see Garfield Park Reservation, which was a transition from city of Cleveland over to the Metro parks a number of years ago to see that level of transformation.
(11:53):
If you had to think of your 14 years here, is there one project or thing that you would say you're most proud of, like in your tenure? And then maybe there's something in the future you're looking forward to?
Well, it's funny, let me digress a bit, because I think Garfield, as you talk about it, kind of represents the old metro parks and the new metro parks because it was built at a time, where the, artisanship, the, the stonework, the design of it was very much of its time. It got old. a lot of it got forgotten.
(12:26):
and what's happened with Garfield today? What you all have accomplished has really been transformative. And so it's using modern technology, modern equipment, materials, you name it, know how basically to restore, but something that really faces the next century ahead of time. So I think that's it's a symbolic project at that point. probably the other really was the lakefront.
(12:52):
I think being able to it was kind of like the coming out party for Metro parks, because as much as, people in the area knew about the metro parks to be able to move on to the lake, an area that really had been the land that time forgot and redevelop it, energize it and make it something that everybody in the region really enjoys.
(13:16):
I think that did as much to place the stamp on what metro parks can accomplish, because from that point forward, the partnerships, the broader base support a lot of the capital support that's essential, I think, flowed from that accomplishment.
Well, not even just that. If you think back to the bold strategy that the Board of Commissioners put in play in 2013, we put on a levy we had taken on the lakefront in the early part of June, taking on the responsibility of returning and not knowing where our levy would come forward. So not only passing that in the, the, the mid 60s.
(13:53):
Talk to me about this last levy that passed at 77.8%, which is believed to be the highest supported levy in Cuyahoga County's history. What does that mean? You know, from a stewardship standpoint?
Well, it's huge. I think that what it reflects is that there isn't a person who works in the Metroparks that isn't supremely conscious of satisfying public needs for want of a better expression and storms.
(14:23):
Over the weekend.
But there you go. but people's expectations, I think, are shown in that kind of support. And so you don't want to let them down? I think we all feel that way. So it's very, very gratifying. But it's also sobering and a reminder that your success really depends upon the public's appreciation of that success.
(14:47):
Well, that's not lost on any of the team members. To see the guidance of the three commissioner model, which is very transparent. We talked about how we do our books and how we do our meetings, all open to the public. Our checkbook has been online for over two decades. We really are very transparent and how we we do things and we think of that like next century, century of stewardship.
It's truly, you know, we're kind of awestruck that we're here for this period of time. And it's, it's we're we're shepherding, that next level of stewardship. And so whether it's coming from, you know, the the three year old that, you know, picks up a tadpole or whether it's the, the, the 13 year old that's on the zip line, you know, we are really here to, you know, inspire conservation education and recreation, you know, as this kind of like total system concept.
(15:29):
So with us again, as Bruce Rinker, commissioner of Cleveland Metroparks is the very first guest of our tails. And trails and, any parting thoughts as we kind of wrap this up here?
Well, we, we have a couple of questions out of many I know from the community, but let me, put these to you. So the first one is, can you tell us an unknown or obscure fact about the history of metro parks or about one of the reservations?
(15:56):
You know, I don't know if it is obscure, but I think of William Synge comes in the intentionality of how he created the very first part. First Park district model. We are one of the few that that actually retained the city of kind of founding. But interestingly enough, we weren't founded. Actually, the enabling legislation came with the help of City of Euclid.
So that was actually the municipality that help support the enabling.
(16:18):
I know that.
The enabling legislation. So I think that's a kind of an interesting fact. And, you know, William Winchcombe was our first recorded volunteer. We have now more than 6000 plus volunteers across both sides of things. So I think that's pretty unique. I think it's also unique. The Metroparks hold and host the tallest waterfall in, Cuyahoga County at Mill at Mill Creek Falls.
(16:40):
And we actually have the tallest point in, Cuyahoga County out at our Seneca Golf course. So to kind of really cool, unique facts about the Metroparks. And, you know, I'm just reminded of the special place that it is and it meets so many people, you know, where it's needed at the time, I think of Covid and, I don't know what people would have done without the Park district.
that's a fact. That's a fact. So what is the plan to connect underserved regions? going forward?
(17:08):
You know, the value proposition of what I talked about in and in the park, you know, the the eight, 8 or 8, that's not just, you know, three numbers. It's really about intentionally what the Board of commissioners and the leadership have done. When you think of the towpath. you know, I think of the Metroparks really were kind of a voyeur.
We were kind of watching the process, and it really wasn't pushing and enabling it. And the park commissioners said, no, we want to become a voting member, which really started to lead in March, our way towards the lakefront. So the culmination of bringing the lakefront forward, the bikeways and others. and I will say it's kind of this ready now model.
(17:44):
When I came to town in 2010, there was a lot of projects that were kind of in the hopper in the the ingredient phase. We came and we started to get them moving in a different way. And now we are so focused. You know, this past week we broke ground on East ninth, East 55th, which will then connect 55th to 72nd, 72nd to MLK and all the way into the cultural institutions.
(18:05):
That's another way that we're working to kind of fix the sins of the past. When you look at plowing freeways, there were railroads through and the way these neighborhoods have been bifurcated. It's really been a challenge. And, you know, Bruce, your work over in Mayfield, I mean, you've got some center road. Hello. You know, how do you navigate some of those things?
And sometimes it's just it takes time. we've also we're very blessed that, Sherrod Brown, Senator Sherrod Brown brought in $19.5 million to the Cleveland Metroparks, the largest federal grant in our entire 107 year history. And why that's so important and impactful is that it's going to connect Slavic Village to the downtown trail connector, which we're working with Odot, Nowak, Cuyahoga County, the city.
(18:45):
It's really this greenway print plan that we're working on, but it back feeds to Washington, Washington feeds to Ohio near Canal higher near Canal goes back to the towpath. Then you think of, Garfield Boulevard with the county and the sewer district. We're going to connect that. So this is really about conductivity. So I think this next century of stewardship, we talk about connecting communities, inspiring conservation.
(19:06):
Like those aren't just words. Those are action items for us. So we couldn't be more pleased. Yeah.
Let me segue a little bit on that because, what really struck me was it really when I was mayor, I saw this firsthand with with North Chagrin being right next door. I think that the first, century almost of stewardship look to truly a conservative, role to play. it's acquiring these properties and safeguarding them. Protecting them.
(19:37):
and maybe a little glib to say, but I think there was sort of an introverted view of how the park system would work. And that's flipped 180 degrees. I'd say now it's extroverted. And by putting yourself out there in all these communities with other organizations that risk taking, I think has created ultimately a very successful formula, which is when people see you're willing to come into their neighborhood, to come into their community, to serve a much broader base.
(20:08):
You can draw more resources from that base. I just don't think the partnerships that we see today were at all even envisioned. even 20 years ago. And that, to me is is been huge in being able to keep moving forward.
Yeah, we've talked about progress through partnerships. That's the way that we will succeed. And when you look at the support of philanthropy and the position of this, you know, the Mendel Foundation, the Jack Joseph and Mark Mendel Foundation, the they're philanthropic nation in nature to help connect these things. Gordon Park South will be one of the reviews.
(20:43):
The Cleveland Foundation helped found the Cleveland Metroparks, the enabling legislation. We are deeply rooted in philanthropy here. So we're truly, truly blessed. so I've got one other thing to quick add, Bruce, talk to me about your very first job that you may or may not have been fired from, and how did that how did that come full circle?
You rat. so I worked at, a summer job between, my, law school years, a little country club called Hawthorne Valley and had a certain contretemps with, one of the important members, anyway, there are those who know me, know that sometimes I'm just pretty good at sticking my foot in my mouth.
(21:26):
And anyway, that was my, first and only time being fired from a job. and then fast forward, we, we now own the land that the, the country club was on. It wasn't a matter of getting back at anybody, but I think it is one of those little ironies.
It is an irony, but it's full circle. And it was just one of those very unique opportunities to kind of pivot back. So again, Bruce Rinker, Commissioner Cleveland Metroparks is our guest for the very first Tales and Trails podcast. We thank you so much for your time, talent and treasures of giving back to this wonderful community, and we look forward to the podcast coming forward in the future.
(22:03):
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Unknown
(00:09):
Welcome to Cleveland Metroparks very first podcast episode. One of Tales and Trails. You know what I think about the 107 years of Cleveland Metroparks? And I think back to William Goldman, how progressive he was and the thought process that he used to really capture the very first three acres. And now we've grown to almost 25,000 acres. We continue to find ways to reach audiences, whether you're a wildlife lover, whether you've got family interests in nature, whether you're out using one of our recreation facilities as our golf courses.
(00:41):
This is really a very unique opportunity for you to spend about 20 minutes and pick something up about Cleveland Metroparks, and I thought there was no better way to kind of introduce the very first Trails and Trails podcast than to have Bruce Rinker, the longest serving current commissioner, one of three, to be our guest. And so welcome, Bruce, to the first podcast.
Thank you. Good to be here.
(01:02):
We've had our little trials and tribulations to get it going, but we're we're really kind of pumped to to be able to share some kind of content. And you know, Bruce, I couldn't ask for a better park commissioner. His legacy really is, is unmatched. his time served as time served. his service. Yes. His service to the public is really unparalleled.
(01:24):
When I think of the time he spent with Mayfield Village as a council person, and then really talking about, his tenure as a mayor and now 14 years with the Cleveland Metroparks. First, talk about what it means to be in public service and then kind of overlay that into what it means to be a commissioner, like one of three literally guiding this park district to the next century of stewardship.
Well, thank you for the introduction. that's kind of a hard question to answer, I think a long time ago. I got involved almost by accident in Mayfield Village government. And Mayfield Village is a small town, 3500 people. I think we even count four legged critters. and it just kind of progressed from there. And interesting for, from my standpoint, with North Chagrin Reservation being approximately a quarter of the acreage, the corporate acreage of, Mayfield Village.
(02:17):
We always had that close, connection in one way, but another way was, an opportunity for me to see how in our village we could find a better way to improve quality of life. And because it's a small village. just a part time job, I used to joke was a full time, part time job. I was able to get more of a hands on feel for government that really can be effective.
(02:45):
And that's really what kept me going all that time. So for me, the public service was a lot of the satisfaction in finding ways to use the resource that we had. just to better everyone's lot in life. It was very rewarding.
Talk about the long game, though, when you when when you and I have talked, I mean, we've been together almost the entire time, 14 plus years. When you talk about, you know, strategy and you talk about the cohesiveness of of how the park district, you know, currently runs, you know, how long does it take to get some of these projects going and the satisfaction of, of and then the interaction back and forth and the interplay between governments and, you know, municipalities.
(03:22):
Well, you find that the best laid plans are never what you end up with. but and you see it definitely with metro parks. I had to learn kind of as I went along, but I came to recognize that if you persevere or if you're patient, you keep your eye on the prize, eventually you can accomplish things.
(03:44):
And I think that was the most important lesson for me that, you have to find ways. I'm in a political system. There's always a give and take, sometimes more take than give. but at the end of the day, if you find a, a message, I think that resonates, you get public support, which is critical.
and then you just become, I think, much more aware of the kinds of things that you can accomplish that they're worth achieving. And so you just go about and you work at it.
(04:14):
Talk to me about Williamston. if he were here today in your eyes, what would he. What would he say? What do you think he would say about what's followed his tenure here as the longest serving executive of this organization? His original, you know, Boulevard model. you think of mayor Tom Johnson. You think of the homesteads. What would he say if he landed in South Chagrin Reservation today?
(04:39):
I think he would be struck by how similar it is in a lot of ways, but from my understanding of the man, he was so creative and so fascinated with cutting edge technology development, I think he'd be very, very pleased and probably very proud of what's being done. I think he'd fit right in. If he could work at it again, he'd pick up where, or maybe we've left off and get right at it.
(05:07):
I think he would love it.
Well, it's interesting you're smiling. there are very few pictures where our founder actually smiled. He he had such a kind of stern and, you know, dedicated look, you know, a self-taught engineer kind of worked his way through of where the park district, you know, kind of laid. You know, and there were times where he was revered and jeered, kind of at the same time we preserved.
(05:28):
But then we enhanced and talk to us a little bit about, you know, the evolution of the Park district and where do you see that next century of stewardship kind of taking us?
Well, I think, probably the most significant change is that it was the first hand century, really, in collecting much of the green space that that comprises the the bulk of the park system. and really, with the advent of your administration and the team that you've been able to put together and commissioners, I would say, have been fully on board, it's recognizing that we now face a built environment.
(06:06):
Back then, there was a lot of green space. I mean, what is today? All the suburbs even close in was all farmland when Winchcombe started. So not to say that was easier, but it was just a much, more passive kind of environment acquiring land. Now, what we've seen is that all these communities have infrastructure that's aging.
(06:28):
properties that developed. And the real big challenge has been, I guess the analogy I can make is you can have a farm field and plenty of area to cultivate, but when you've got a small, urban garden, you have to use that interior space more creatively. I think what we're finding in the Metroparks, as we work our way back into the heart of the greater Cleveland area, as opposed to building out, we're really rebuilding in that, to me, has been the big challenge going forward is that redevelopment strategy.
(07:02):
It's more complex. it's more expensive, more challenging, but at the same time, I think more rewarding.
So we're here with Bruce Rinker, commissioner of the Cleveland Metroparks, longest serving of our current three. What I find fascinating is, is over history, because you kind of look at how does history replicate itself over time. The very first three commissioners professions were a lawyer. They were an entrepreneur, and they were in real estate. And you kind of have that dual background with your real estate and practice.
(07:32):
you're practicing or recovering lawyer. attorney. but.
I think trying to figure out retirement, but not there yet.
unsuccessful so far, which we very much appreciate. Your, your, you know, position and assistance with the Metroparks, but you think of, of how, it was crafted and there's only been 37 commissioners in 106 years. Talk about what that means from a stability standpoint and a strength of, perseverance and following, like the strategic plans.
(07:59):
So I think there are two parts that one is the structure itself. I think for an organization of this size and breadth, the scope of it, we're probably one of the smallest boards, for any comparable kind of organization. and in the past, there's been some discussion about maybe expanding the board membership. But what I find to be sort of that strength and weakness all at once is with a small group like that, I think we're much more responsive.
(08:30):
We can be more hands on. And in terms of policy and programing and just pursuing goals and achieving them. I think it's made us a more nimble organization. So I think that's very important. and then the other is in Ohio. We've we've talked about this. Ohio is what's known as home rule, which is every municipality basically is its own fiefdom.
(08:56):
And in Cuyahoga County, you have 60. you look at Franklin County, I think there are two, so the difference is you have really a lot of competition for the dollars, for the planning, development, all of those things. Whereas Metro parks, we have this much broader base. So we really serve everyone as opposed to one small community.
(09:17):
We serve a lot of communities and I believe that especially in the last ten years or so, really, since you've come on board, the philosophy of the metro parks has been to take full advantage of that base and applying those resources, very, very effectively, because I don't think historically there's anything to compare with the ability to partner, to secure funding from so many sources.
(09:46):
And, like Daniel Burnham said, make no little plans, has been big plans and they get done.
Well, I think that's the beauty of it. So, you know, speaking as the, you know, so the board of commissioners, there's 33.33% power between the president, vice president, vice president. They appoint the secretary and treasurer of the board, which are essentially the CFO and the CEO. For that to work the way it does is the level of transparency in government.
(10:11):
And when I think you talk about larger governments, you know, who's who's on first, who's actually doing the work. And these three commissioners do the work every single board meeting.
But you remind me of something that is really it's foundational, because the way the structure of the organization works, it starts with the probate judge, Anthony Russo. And candidly, what really was a turning point, a pivot, an inflection point is, common parlance. Now is when Judge Russo came on board, he looked very closely being a native Clevelander, family in Chicago.
(10:48):
He started making comparisons between what Cleveland and Chicago have, what they share, what's different. And he led the way in creating the lakefront reservation. I mean, that really was a driving force. And the judge is an elected official. So of all of the positions, in governance, there's one elected official. He's the one who has to make sure that he answers to the public.
(11:16):
And I think we're all very mindful of the fact that Judge Russo and trust and so many of us, the responsibility to get things done. But he's always there, always mindful of it. And that part of the machinery, I think is really a it's an important cog.
For sure. And, you know, when we we're going to dive a little bit into some of the park projects, you know. So I was wearing tennis shoes today. And you know, it's the we have to be prepared for all seasons in one day and different levels of being in the office and speaking. And, you know, today we had the chance to see Garfield Park Reservation, which was a transition from city of Cleveland over to the Metro parks a number of years ago to see that level of transformation.
(11:53):
If you had to think of your 14 years here, is there one project or thing that you would say you're most proud of, like in your tenure? And then maybe there's something in the future you're looking forward to?
Well, it's funny, let me digress a bit, because I think Garfield, as you talk about it, kind of represents the old metro parks and the new metro parks because it was built at a time, where the, artisanship, the, the stonework, the design of it was very much of its time. It got old. a lot of it got forgotten.
(12:26):
and what's happened with Garfield today? What you all have accomplished has really been transformative. And so it's using modern technology, modern equipment, materials, you name it, know how basically to restore, but something that really faces the next century ahead of time. So I think that's it's a symbolic project at that point. probably the other really was the lakefront.
(12:52):
I think being able to it was kind of like the coming out party for Metro parks, because as much as, people in the area knew about the metro parks to be able to move on to the lake, an area that really had been the land that time forgot and redevelop it, energize it and make it something that everybody in the region really enjoys.
(13:16):
I think that did as much to place the stamp on what metro parks can accomplish, because from that point forward, the partnerships, the broader base support a lot of the capital support that's essential, I think, flowed from that accomplishment.
Well, not even just that. If you think back to the bold strategy that the Board of Commissioners put in play in 2013, we put on a levy we had taken on the lakefront in the early part of June, taking on the responsibility of returning and not knowing where our levy would come forward. So not only passing that in the, the, the mid 60s.
(13:53):
Talk to me about this last levy that passed at 77.8%, which is believed to be the highest supported levy in Cuyahoga County's history. What does that mean? You know, from a stewardship standpoint?
Well, it's huge. I think that what it reflects is that there isn't a person who works in the Metroparks that isn't supremely conscious of satisfying public needs for want of a better expression and storms.
(14:23):
Over the weekend.
But there you go. but people's expectations, I think, are shown in that kind of support. And so you don't want to let them down? I think we all feel that way. So it's very, very gratifying. But it's also sobering and a reminder that your success really depends upon the public's appreciation of that success.
(14:47):
Well, that's not lost on any of the team members. To see the guidance of the three commissioner model, which is very transparent. We talked about how we do our books and how we do our meetings, all open to the public. Our checkbook has been online for over two decades. We really are very transparent and how we we do things and we think of that like next century, century of stewardship.
It's truly, you know, we're kind of awestruck that we're here for this period of time. And it's, it's we're we're shepherding, that next level of stewardship. And so whether it's coming from, you know, the the three year old that, you know, picks up a tadpole or whether it's the, the, the 13 year old that's on the zip line, you know, we are really here to, you know, inspire conservation education and recreation, you know, as this kind of like total system concept.
(15:29):
So with us again, as Bruce Rinker, commissioner of Cleveland Metroparks is the very first guest of our tails. And trails and, any parting thoughts as we kind of wrap this up here?
Well, we, we have a couple of questions out of many I know from the community, but let me, put these to you. So the first one is, can you tell us an unknown or obscure fact about the history of metro parks or about one of the reservations?
(15:56):
You know, I don't know if it is obscure, but I think of William Synge comes in the intentionality of how he created the very first part. First Park district model. We are one of the few that that actually retained the city of kind of founding. But interestingly enough, we weren't founded. Actually, the enabling legislation came with the help of City of Euclid.
So that was actually the municipality that help support the enabling.
(16:18):
I know that.
The enabling legislation. So I think that's a kind of an interesting fact. And, you know, William Winchcombe was our first recorded volunteer. We have now more than 6000 plus volunteers across both sides of things. So I think that's pretty unique. I think it's also unique. The Metroparks hold and host the tallest waterfall in, Cuyahoga County at Mill at Mill Creek Falls.
(16:40):
And we actually have the tallest point in, Cuyahoga County out at our Seneca Golf course. So to kind of really cool, unique facts about the Metroparks. And, you know, I'm just reminded of the special place that it is and it meets so many people, you know, where it's needed at the time, I think of Covid and, I don't know what people would have done without the Park district.
that's a fact. That's a fact. So what is the plan to connect underserved regions? going forward?
(17:08):
You know, the value proposition of what I talked about in and in the park, you know, the the eight, 8 or 8, that's not just, you know, three numbers. It's really about intentionally what the Board of commissioners and the leadership have done. When you think of the towpath. you know, I think of the Metroparks really were kind of a voyeur.
We were kind of watching the process, and it really wasn't pushing and enabling it. And the park commissioners said, no, we want to become a voting member, which really started to lead in March, our way towards the lakefront. So the culmination of bringing the lakefront forward, the bikeways and others. and I will say it's kind of this ready now model.
(17:44):
When I came to town in 2010, there was a lot of projects that were kind of in the hopper in the the ingredient phase. We came and we started to get them moving in a different way. And now we are so focused. You know, this past week we broke ground on East ninth, East 55th, which will then connect 55th to 72nd, 72nd to MLK and all the way into the cultural institutions.
(18:05):
That's another way that we're working to kind of fix the sins of the past. When you look at plowing freeways, there were railroads through and the way these neighborhoods have been bifurcated. It's really been a challenge. And, you know, Bruce, your work over in Mayfield, I mean, you've got some center road. Hello. You know, how do you navigate some of those things?
And sometimes it's just it takes time. we've also we're very blessed that, Sherrod Brown, Senator Sherrod Brown brought in $19.5 million to the Cleveland Metroparks, the largest federal grant in our entire 107 year history. And why that's so important and impactful is that it's going to connect Slavic Village to the downtown trail connector, which we're working with Odot, Nowak, Cuyahoga County, the city.
(18:45):
It's really this greenway print plan that we're working on, but it back feeds to Washington, Washington feeds to Ohio near Canal higher near Canal goes back to the towpath. Then you think of, Garfield Boulevard with the county and the sewer district. We're going to connect that. So this is really about conductivity. So I think this next century of stewardship, we talk about connecting communities, inspiring conservation.
(19:06):
Like those aren't just words. Those are action items for us. So we couldn't be more pleased. Yeah.
Let me segue a little bit on that because, what really struck me was it really when I was mayor, I saw this firsthand with with North Chagrin being right next door. I think that the first, century almost of stewardship look to truly a conservative, role to play. it's acquiring these properties and safeguarding them. Protecting them.
(19:37):
and maybe a little glib to say, but I think there was sort of an introverted view of how the park system would work. And that's flipped 180 degrees. I'd say now it's extroverted. And by putting yourself out there in all these communities with other organizations that risk taking, I think has created ultimately a very successful formula, which is when people see you're willing to come into their neighborhood, to come into their community, to serve a much broader base.
(20:08):
You can draw more resources from that base. I just don't think the partnerships that we see today were at all even envisioned. even 20 years ago. And that, to me is is been huge in being able to keep moving forward.
Yeah, we've talked about progress through partnerships. That's the way that we will succeed. And when you look at the support of philanthropy and the position of this, you know, the Mendel Foundation, the Jack Joseph and Mark Mendel Foundation, the they're philanthropic nation in nature to help connect these things. Gordon Park South will be one of the reviews.
(20:43):
The Cleveland Foundation helped found the Cleveland Metroparks, the enabling legislation. We are deeply rooted in philanthropy here. So we're truly, truly blessed. so I've got one other thing to quick add, Bruce, talk to me about your very first job that you may or may not have been fired from, and how did that how did that come full circle?
You rat. so I worked at, a summer job between, my, law school years, a little country club called Hawthorne Valley and had a certain contretemps with, one of the important members, anyway, there are those who know me, know that sometimes I'm just pretty good at sticking my foot in my mouth.
(21:26):
And anyway, that was my, first and only time being fired from a job. and then fast forward, we, we now own the land that the, the country club was on. It wasn't a matter of getting back at anybody, but I think it is one of those little ironies.
It is an irony, but it's full circle. And it was just one of those very unique opportunities to kind of pivot back. So again, Bruce Rinker, Commissioner Cleveland Metroparks is our guest for the very first Tales and Trails podcast. We thank you so much for your time, talent and treasures of giving back to this wonderful community, and we look forward to the podcast coming forward in the future.
(22:03):
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
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