Monroe County awarded money
to secure Parma's Scharping property

Monroe County has been awarded $251,000 under the Great Lakes Coastal Watershed Restoration Program to acquire 35 acres of lakefront property in Parma for preservation. This land, known locally as the Scharping property, is the largest of its kind left in Parma. "I'm very excited about it," said Parma Supervisor Rick Lemcke. "This property is postcard-nice and full of pristine wildlife."

Lemcke gave credit to local politicians for helping secure the land. "Without the involvement of these people, and the cooperation to leverage federal money, the people of Parma would not have been able to afford this," said Lemcke.

The area, which borders Huffer Road and Zellweger Beach Road, has a quarter mile of sandy beach, a forest area, a small swamp and a fresh water marsh.

Lemcke said the land will most likely be classified as "passive parkland," open to the public with benches and a small parking area.

Congressman John LaFalce led the support among the Monroe County delegation for the grant. "This grant, in combination with a $350,000 appropriation that I helped obtain in last year's appropriations bill, will provide a total of $600,000 in federal funds for the project," LaFalce said. "The funds will provide almost all of the amount necessary for Monroe County to acquire this beautiful, environmentally sensitive piece of land in Parma." The Great Lakes Coastal Watershed Restoration program grants are funded by Congress for coastal watershed initiatives in states that border the Great Lakes.