On Dec. 22, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will celebrate 50 years of being under the domain of the National Parks Service.

Park visitor Mike Castle described the milestone as, “It’s hard to believe 50 years went so quick. I remember when it wasn’t a park.” It took 26 years for the land to be named a National Park in October 2000. 

With 50 years under their buckle, the organization plans to celebrate through a series of events like “Remembering 1974: Our Origin Story.”

Nikki Gasiewski was there and got to speak with community members about the impact the park has  in the half a century.

Nikki Gasiewski is a KSTV Reporter. Contact her at [email protected].