Conservancy Crew Ready to Load Picnic Baskets: (left to right) Craig Kenkel (Superintendent CVNP), Tim Riley (Conservancy), Deb Yandala (CEO Conservancy for CVNP)Brandon Henneman (Conservancy), Sheryl Hoffman (Chief Development Officer, Conservancy), Andrew O’Leary (Conservancy), and Dan Blakemore (Development Director, Conservancy)

On Sunday, September 13, just as the skies cleared and the Browns got ready to step onto the field, the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park launched “Picnic In Your Park” – a new fundraising event complete with social distancing and touch-free service.
Many of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP)’s biggest supporters, as well as new friends enjoyed a unique “drive through” fundraiser at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center. Guests followed the musical sounds of “Hey Mavis” down the drive to the welcome station where they were greeted by CVNP Superintendent Craig Kenkel, Conservancy CEO Deb Yandala and Conservancy Chief Development Officer Sheryl Hoffman.  After a quick socially distanced hello from their cars, a custom Conservancy picnic basket was loaded into their car by a dedicated Conservancy crew masked and practicing all social distance protocols.
With a big thank you and a wave goodbye, guests headed off into the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to find their favorite picnic site and enjoy their gourmet picnic. The baskets, filled to the brim by Driftwood, included everything one would need to have the perfect picnic: delicious appetizers, a grilled chicken entrée, salads and a beautiful late summer dessert along with a special bottled “mocktail.”
More than 300 people enjoyed picnics, raising more than $60,000 to support operations at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park and its mission to enrich lives and enhance Northeast Ohio by inspiring use, preservation and support of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. To learn more about the Conservancy and to stay up-to-date on fundraisers and events, please visit forcvnp.org. STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS SUBMITTED BY CONSERVANCY FOR CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK