Lake Metroparks loses a great friend and advocate

Ted Klammer
Former Lake County Probate Judge and
Lake Metroparks Commissioner

On March 13, 2013, Lake Metroparks lost a great friend and advocate for the parks and conservation with the passing of the Honorable Ted Klammer.

Ted Klammer was an environmental advocate, evident by his ten years of volunteer service on the Lake Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners. Klammer then served as Probate Judge for 11 years. One of his duties was to make appointments to the Board of Park Commissioners, a three-member board of citizens which governs Lake Metroparks.

His years of leadership as commissioner enabled Lake Metroparks to currently protect more than 8,000 acres of open space and waterways in Lake County for current and future generations to enjoy, while providing extensive education and recreation programming services to county residents. Several of the outstanding parks and facilities opened while Klammer was on the park board include:

• Chagrin River Park
• The Greenway Corridor
• Pine Ridge Country Club

Judge Klammer understood the importance of the parks not only for the present, but the future as well. He really loved the parks and saw how much people appreciated them. During Klammer’s tenure as a park commissioner, and under his guidance, Lake Metroparks received many prestigious awards, including:

• National Gold Medal Awards Finalist, 2002 & 1997
• Lake County Environmental Improvement Awards, 2003
• Great Lakes Region Partnership Award, NE Ohio Regional Parks Consortium, 2002
• Ohio Museum Association Award of Excellence, 2000
• Partnership in Elderly Services Award, 1999 (Lake County Council on Aging)

Ted Klammer was a great champion for conservation and will be missed.

2012 Picnic Shelter Reservations begin Monday, December 5 for Lake County residents

Lake County residents may register for picnic shelter reservations for 2012 beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 5.  Reserve your shelter online or by calling the Lake Metroparks Registration Department at 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226.  Reservations from Lake County residents received by phone, mail, and in person at the Lake Metroparks Registration Office will also be processed on December 5.  Out-of-county residents may begin reserving shelters beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 12.

 

A new shelter available to reserve in 2012 is at the new Gully Brook Park in Willoughby Hills.  The shelter overlooks a beautiful brook and is located next to the trail.  An elaborate playground is located nearby.  New playground equipment was also installed this year near the shelter at Hidden Valley Park.    All shelters provide picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and other amenities and are great for family reunions or other special gatherings.   Some of the shelters include power, nearby trails, playground equipment, and volleyball courts for additional fun. For a complete listing of the shelters and their amenities, click here. 

For Lake County residents wishing to reserve a picnic shelter, a $50 refundable deposit (payable by credit card, check or cash in person/phone and via credit card online) is required at the time of reservation.  Residents living outside Lake County pay a $25 non-refundable rental fee in addition to the $50 refundable deposit.  Payment can be made in person, or mailed to Lake Metroparks Registration Department, 11211 Spear Road, Concord Township, Ohio 44077.   For more information, call the Lake Metroparks Registration Department at (440) 358-7275 or 1-800-669-9226.  The office is open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.