Fri Feb 03 2012
by Tim Troglen
Reporter
Hudson -- It looks like work will begin this fall on a project to create an educational land lab at the high school near an unnamed Tinker's Creek tributary which cuts across the property.
The project will also restore the integrity of the creek and provide 2 million gallons of additional channel capacity to help prevent flooding, while acting as detention area when heavy rains occur, according to Chris Thaxton, an ecology teacher at Hudson High School.
"I would hope this project will begin in the fall," Thaxton said. "With a stream restoration project, a lot has to do with the weather conditions."
On April 12, the Hudson School Board approved a partnership with the Restoration Group, which is made up of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the city of Hudson and the Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners. The group will work to help increase water quality across the Tinkers Creek Watershed and create an outside classroom and land lab.
The total cost of the design and construction of the project is $495,000. A grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will pay $245,000 toward the design and construction, and the city has agreed to pay up to $250,000.
The district has agreed to provide an in-kind donation of $88,700 in printing, utilities and personnel.
"The project will improve water quality, increase channel capacity, provide an exceptional educational opportunity for students, and, perhaps most importantly, improve the integrity of the Tinkers Creek Watershed," Thaxton said. "We hope to hire and implement this project by the end of July 2010."
The Hudson School District will provide the property and easement for maintenance. The project will also include an outdoor classroom, butterfly garden, wildflower meadow and bird blind.
"In this unique situation we will oversee the restoration from beginning to end," Thaxton said "Our students will be involved in very aspect in which we can involve them. The students will be watching and documenting the restoration with photography and video. They will research the type of plant material being installed and the environmental importance of those plants."
The stream will attempt to heal itself by first allowing the water to enter the floodplain, Thaxton said.
"The students and teachers will be doing the actual planting and have input on the design aspect," Thaxton said. "We plan on having students come to the proposal meetings providing them with a voice in choosing the design and build team. In summary, every and any opportunity we have to involve the kids we will."
The group will also help manage increased stormwater to the stream, Thaxton said.
"We were approached for this grant due to our outstanding environmental education program," Thaxton said. "What a great opportunity to receive funding to restore the Tinkers Creek watershed which leads to the Cuyahoga River and into Lake Erie. This project will give students a sense of stewardship for one of our greatest resources -- clean water."
Stream restoration is just one aspect of the project, Thaxton said.
"These kids need to know how to fix a broken planet," she added. "They are inheriting our mistakes and we need to support them. I believe the ecology and environmental education program at Hudson High School prepares our kids for the future."
She said the environmental students will be the ones who develop new alternative energy technology and clean up oil spills.
"I feel really lucky these kids get this opportunity," Thaxton said. "The district has no money invested and attains a healthy stream. I want these kids to know the price we pay for living on the planet. We all use resources, we all drink water and want chemical free food, but with that takes time, commitment and a work."
Council approved the partnership last year.
The city's portion of the project will be paid for through money generated by a 2005 income tax increase. A portion of that money was designated for stormwater management projects.
E-mail: ttroglen@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3146
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