Browse Interviews

David Whited is Chief of Planning & Development for Summit County Metro Parks. Trained in Landscape Architecture, Whited oversees new bike trails, towpath completion, and land acquisitions. In this interview, he discusses Munroe Falls, Nature Realm, and plans to develop Cascade Valley Park. He provides some of the history of Summit Metro Parks, including the park district's reputation as one of the oldest, largest, and most influential in the area of land conservation. He describes the problems…

Bridget Garvin gives background, childhood memories in Toledo, and inspiration to work in the perservation field. Describes Cascade Locks,including some history, benefits, and passion to curb suburban sprawl.Garvin notes some milestones in using the Cascade Locks to link the city as a boost to the economy, rather then just a park. Discusses fundraising challenges, donors, political supporters.Virginia Wojno-Forney began the project and Garvin picked it up in 2001. Describes Cascade Mill, and…

Ron White discusses his work as the Director of Economic Development for the city of Independence and emphasizes how local environmental projects are affecting his city particularly. White discusses how the regional developmental projects are connected intrinsically to the city's "two year plan," which includes property development, land and building restoration, and wildlife and green space conservation. Overall, White articulates how the economic and social future of the city is connected to…

Patty Schwalbach grew up in Akron in the 1950s-70s and returned in 2005 after 25 years in Los Angeles. She describes her work in the late 1970s in the Akron housing department and the condition of Akron's Cascade Locks Park at that time. She discusses how a man named Pete Ramnytz was the first to see Cascade Locks' potential. Upon Schwalbach's return to Akron, she became involved in the effort to save the Mustill Store. She relates the history of the canal and lock system and shares her thoughts…

Ellen Otto of the Cascade Locks Park Association relates the history of the Cascade Locks area of Akron, including the Irish and German immigrants who built the Ohio Canal, the Great Migration in which African Americans brought jazz to the Howard Street district near the canal in the interwar years of the early-mid 20th century, her own family's stories about life in the area, and the later collaborative campaign to create Cascade Locks Park in Akron. She also discusses a 1995 reenactment at the…

Tom Long, a design and parks development expert, discusses a city/park partnership working towards completing eight developmental units, including plans for the Towpath Trail along the Ohio Canal. Birth of the Cascade Locks Park Association and the movement toward the parks' grand opening as more organizations got involved, fundraising for the Schumacher Mill Site restoration and waterwheel project, and plans for the Richard Howe house. He also discusses the role of the park in economic…

Phil January is president of the board of Cascade Locks Park Association. In this interview he discusses the beginnings of Cascade Park in the 1980s, fundraising and committee efforts, and membership growth. He highlights the Mustill Store, rehabbing, and historical choices made around the canal, and ideas for current and future development projects. January also describes efforts to bring people to the park and how park development and usage has led to rebirth in Akron.

Pete Ramnytz was born in Akron, and in 1955 he and his parents moved into the Mustill store in the Cascade Locks Park. In this interview Ramnytz recalls living in the house and his parent's attempts to get the city of Akron to buy the property to preserve to place's history.

Joel Testa is the chief operating officer of Testa Companies, a real estate development firm. Testa discusses his background in industrial design, his company's growth and various projects it has undertaken, and the potential for bringing a "Manhattan lifestyle" to downtown Akron through development that correlates with the Towpath Trail. He also discusses the importance of green space and sustainable development.

Bruce Norton discusses the origin of the Cascade Valley Park and trails on the west side of Cleveland.

Current President of the Board of Cascade Locks Association discusses the beginnings of Cascade Park in the 1980's. Fundraising and committee efforts, and membership growth. Highlights Mustill store, rehabbing, and historical choices made around canal. Ideas for current and future development projects are listed. School, local business, and community involvement are vital to success. Efforts to bring people to park. Discusses fundraising efforts and how project has changed since he began. Park…