Debra Berry, newest Cleveland Metroparks board member, is all work and play

Posted January 02, 2012 in Articles

Author: James Ewinger

Debra Berry, the newest Cleveland Metroparks board member, arrives at a crucial time in the park system's 94-year history, and her supporters say her talents, experience and temperament are well suited for the challenges ahead.
This three-person board of commissioners must continue to expand the 22,000-acre system, maintain its history of never going into debt, address a decline in state funding, implement a new master plan and pass a 10-year operating levy in 2013.
But the immediate issue is when and how the park system can take over the ailing lakefront parks now operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources -- and make them better, safer and more accessible.
Berry, 43, is vice president of planning and real estate development at University Circle Inc.

Original Article: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/01/debra_berry_newest_cleveland_m.html