Building a National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The law that established Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 1974 did so in name only. The hard work of building the park remained ahead. Over the next 34 years, Congressman Ralph Regula championed the park in the House of Representatives. He helped guide over $200 million to the park to purchase land, restore historic structures, and establish activities for the public's enjoyment. He emphasized park development, recognizing that quality facilities and programs are essential to public enjoyment.
In 2000, Regula shepherded the park's name change from Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, giving the park a more recognizable identity as a unit of the National Park System.
Regula co-sponsored the legislation that established Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 1974. He then served on the House Appropriations Committee for 34 years and on its Interior subcommittee for 30 years, chairing the subcommittee from 1995-2000. This role not only positioned Regula to support Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but earned him a reputation as a champion of all national parks and other federal public lands. He brought attention to the critical need to sustain national parks into the future by successfully sponsoring legislation that allowed fees collected in parks to be kept by parks for
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Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.
Location. 41° 12.233′ N, 81° 34.967′ W. Marker is in Everett, Ohio, in Summit County. Marker can be reached from Everett Road, 0.2 miles south of Oak Hill Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2370 Everett Rd, Peninsula OH 44264, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Birth of the Park Idea (here, next to this marker); John F. Seiberling (here, next to this marker); Rallying Support for the Park Idea (here, next to this marker); Ralph Regula: Creating a Legacy (here, next to this marker); Expanding the Vision (here, next to this marker); Everett Covered Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Cuyahoga Valley National Park (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Growing up in Everett (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Everett.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on February 3, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 2, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on May 29, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4. submitted on February 2, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
