I have been coming to the Metroparks since the 1960’s, as a young girl with my family. It was a great low-cost, local place to go for our large family of 9 to picnic and enjoy the beach. I have always had a love for nature and being outdoors so it was always a joy to spend time at the Metroparks for any reason; picnic, Family Reunion, sporting event, etc. As an adult, I have brought my own family to enjoy the park(s) and many events; i.e. fireworks, fishing, swimming, etc. As a Cub Scout leader, I organized several events for my scouts at the Metroparks to earn their badges. In later years, my teenage daughter and I trained for many races, triathlons and other endurance events at several Metroparks; miles of running the paths and trails, swimming the lakes and cycling as well as participating in many organized endurance events held at the parks. My time and activities at the Metroparks have cultivated many lifelong and lasting friendships! I have also organized a Family Fishing Tournament fundraiser at the Stony Creek Metropark for many years, successfully raising funds for blood cancer. I have always considered the Metroparks to be a wonderful local resource to enjoy in so many ways; my “home away from home”. In this season of life, I enjoy taking my grandchildren to Wolcott Mill to enjoy and learn about the animals and farm life, or explore a trail and the wildlife at Lake Erie Metropark or swim, picnic and enjoy the play areas at Stony Creek. My husband and I enjoy spending time in the evenings at Stony Creek; snacking and playing games in the new boat house while enjoying the sunset and just cruising around the park enjoying the wildlife. I still run and cycle periodically at the parks but a little slower these days. . .to enjoy so much to appreciate.