by Tammy O’Neil, Wildlife Care Manager

The Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center at Penitentiary Glen Reservation celebrates 40 years of wildlife rehabilitation and education this year! In the early 1980s, the Lake Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners had the idea to develop an animal facility for “native Ohio animals that have been impacted by human interference on the environment.” As humans encroach onto wildlife habitats, we are now co-existing and interconnected; one will affect the other and vice versa. One way to lessen this is to give back to the native wildlife community by “relieving the stress of human impact on wildlife through human education and wildlife rehabilitation,” which is the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center’s mission statement.

On July 24, 1983, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center had its grand opening! In its first year, the center accepted 294 animals for treatment. The first patient was a milk snake suffering from bite wounds from a cat attack. Since then, we have seen a steady increase in the number of animals accepted for treatment, as humans and wildlife continue to share more and more space. Today, the center accepts 1,500 to 2,000 animals each year. Since the grand opening, 50,836 animals have received care at the center.

Another important aspect of the center’s mission is educating the public about native wildlife. The education program started in 1964 in the back of an old pickup truck and presented native wildlife to local schools and fairs. It was a chance for folks to see animals up close and gain an appreciation for the wildlife that live in their backyards. Today, our wildlife education staff conducts more than 200 programs annually for more than 8,000 people. On outreach presentations, staff travel with current Animal Ambassadors, but the days of old pickup truck beds are long gone.

A relationship between Lake Metroparks and the Lake Shore Live Steamers was also established in 1983. Founded by Clyde Bleil in 1977, this club of railroad enthusiasts has hosted more than 316,850 train rides for kids and kids alike at Penitentiary Glen Reservation in the past 40 years. The popular Glen Meadow & Orchard Railroad offers many free public train rides throughout the year.

We look forward to celebrating with you the many successes of the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center and Lake Shore Live Steamers as we have grown and changed over the years. Join us on July 23 for a celebration including hands-on activities, interactive displays, train rides, history and storytelling, music, Animal Ambassadors, The Nature Store and a special guest speaker. Come join the fun!