October Centennial Gift: Cleveland Foundation Weekend in Lake County

Foundation will provide free admission to Holden Arboretum Oct. 11 and Lake Metroparks Farmpark Oct. 12

Visitors encouraged to bring a food donation for the “Feed Lake County” campaign

 

RELEASE DATE: 10.3.2014

CLEVELAND –The Cleveland Foundation today announced its October centennial gift to the community – Cleveland Foundation Weekend in Lake County – which celebrates its role as the community foundation for Lake and Geauga counties. Saturday, Oct. 11 will be the first free fall weekend admission at Holden Arboretum and Sunday, Oct. 12 will be the first free day for all visitors to Lake Metroparks Farmpark in its nearly 25-year history. Both institutions will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No tickets are required.

“In our centennial year, it is important to show that our community impact extends beyond Cleveland and Cuyahoga County,” said Robert E. Eckardt, Executive Vice President of the Cleveland Foundation. “Nearly 30 years ago, our board set up the Lake-Geauga Fund, officially extending our service area. By opening the doors next weekend to two great Lake County institutions that are part of our history, we hope families will discover the fun, educational destinations that await them at the arboretum and Farmpark.”

Both organizations have fall harvest-themed activities planned for Cleveland Foundation Weekend, which will take place rain or shine. On Oct 11, Holden Arboretum visitors will be able to enjoy, among other activities, a cornstalk maze and a hay bale climbing structure created by Holden’s horticultural team and Scarecrow Row, a collection of themed scarecrows created by area organizations. On Oct. 12, Lake Metroparks Farmpark visitors will have a variety of apple-, corn- and pumpkin-centered activities to choose from, including the opportunity to make apple cider and apple butter, “make and take” a painted pumpkin and navigate Farmpark’s three-acre “a-maize-ing” corn maze. A complete schedule of special family programming for the weekend and details on directions and parking will be announced next week and will be posted on this page.

“We are honored to be part of the Cleveland Foundation’s centennial celebration,” said Clement Hamilton, President and CEO of the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden. “The foundation has been such an important supporter of the arboretum. We are grateful for the work it does to enrich Northeast Ohio; extending its celebration to Lake County demonstrates its regional impact. Holden is committed to a more sustainable planet by building greener, healthier communities, protecting native forests and engaging children with plants. The Cleveland Foundation has helped to ensure our continued success, and we look forward to an ongoing partnership.”

The Cleveland Foundation has provided $34.6 million in grants to more than 230 nonprofit organizations in Lake and Geauga counties. Much of the funding has come through the foundation’s Lake-Geauga Fund, which was established in 1986 and is guided by an advisory committee of community leaders from Lake and Geauga counties. Two recent Lake-Geauga legacy grants honor the foundation’s centennial:  a $200,000 grant to the Geauga Park District to support the restoration of the historic Nassau telescope at Observatory Park and a $100,000 grant to Lake Metroparks for the construction of a 50-foot observation tower in Lake Erie Bluffs in Perry Township.

“Lake Metroparks and our visitors owe a sincere debt of gratitude to the Cleveland Foundation, especially its Lake-Geauga Fund,” said Paul Palagyi, Executive Director of Lake Metroparks. “Over the past several years, the foundation has provided critical support to efforts by Lake Metroparks to provide outstanding programs and amenities that allow our visitors to enjoy the abundant natural resources of Lake County. This free day at Farmpark is just one more wonderful gift from the foundation to the citizens of Northeast Ohio. Please join us in this celebration of autumn and the fall harvest season!”

In celebration of the harvest-themed weekend, the Cleveland Foundation is inviting all weekend visitors to bring a non-perishable food donation for United Way Lake County’s “Feed Lake County” campaign. Special collection bins will be at Holden Arboretum and Lake Metroparks Farmpark on Oct. 11 and 12. United Way Lake County will distribute all donated food among a network of 50 food pantries and agencies in Lake County. Any monetary donations received will also be directed to the campaign.

With today’s October gift announcement, the Cleveland Foundation has partnered with 18 local nonprofit organizations and public agencies for its monthly centennial gifts to the community. More than 120,000 Greater Clevelanders have enjoyed the monthly Cleveland Foundation Days to date.

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The Cleveland Foundation

Established in 1914, the Cleveland Foundation is the world’s first community foundation and one of the largest today, with assets of $2.1 billion and 2013 grants of $89 million. For more information on the Cleveland Foundation, visit ClevelandFoundation.org/purpose and follow us at Facebook.com/ClevelandFoundation or @CleveFoundation on Twitter.