Restoring ecosystem function on altered sites: An Ohio golf course case study

Acacia Reservation was a privately owned country club until its purchase and subsequent donation to Cleveland Metroparks in 2012. An ecological restoration plan was developed with both expert and stakeholder input to guide the conversion of the 155-acre golf course to natural habitat. Research and monitoring efforts captured initial conditions and continue to track transitional succession and restoration activities. Legacy effects from nearly 100 years of golf course management and surrounding urban development drive site restoration opportunities and limitations. This ongoing process is accessible to our attentive guests who feel ownership in the park and want to understand the process.