Re: New

Cuyahoga Valley National Park had already begun its A/E work on the historic Boston Mill Store, site of the park’s new (and dearly needed) central visitor center. But what would the visitor experience be? Cuyahoga Valley is a big place, set between the urban and suburban landscapes of Cleveland and Akron. A complicated relationship between people and nature emerges in this landscape, typified in the infamous Cuyahoga River fires of the 20th century.

Previous design efforts failed to deliver a vision for the visitor experience. My team joined with a variety of stories and ideas broadly identified, but deadlines looming large. Through bold leadership and thoughtful collaboration, we delivered an organizing principle: “ReNEW.”

“ReNEW” symbolizes the park and its surrounding community. Park and partner efforts are renewing natural spaces and waters that just a few decades ago were inaccessible due to post-industrial pollution. Urban renewal marks Northeast Ohio as the region emerges from its Rust Belt decline. The valley is a place for personal renewal⁠—physical, mental, and spiritual⁠—along its trails and within its natural and cultural sites.

Using this concept as an organizing principle, we now had a guidepost to direct the rest of the design. We developed exhibits and retail that fit into the revamped historic structure and landscape, deliver big ideas and foster interaction and participation in the appropriate places, and launch visitors into the park’s unique places. The National Association for Interpretation recognized the park’s achievement with 1st Place for Interior Exhibits in its 2020 Media Awards.

My contributions to the team included:

• Design project management
• Big Idea development: developing the “ReNew” concept, and supporting exhibits
• Scriptwriting and editing for exhibit and wayside labels
• Developing participatory experiences: creative arts, favorite places in the park, etc.
• Community engagement: public presentations and stakeholder review, including testing of the “ReNew” concept