Embrace the Lake

Lakefront Reservation / North Gordon Park

On a very gloomy day (rain, sun, clouds) I volunteered for CMP at a joint event with several other nonprofits, looking to create additional resilient parkland and habitat along the Lake Erie shoreline and connect it to people from the nearby Glenville and St.Clair-Superior neighborhoods.  The area remains partly industrialized from decades past.   I enjoyed meeting an array of strangers.  We didn't have many guests during my shift in the afternoon.  I served with Sheila F who is the oldest volunteer trail ambassador.  Last year they gave her an award for volunteering at every park in the system.  She told me almost all her friends are dead.  She thinks she's still in good shape from all the walking she does in the Cleveland Metro Parks.  I don't doubt it!  I'm guessing she was in her late 70s or early 80s.  I hope to see her again somewhere out there.