PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):

Monday, April 22, at 5 AM
Saturday, April 27, at 8 PM
Sunday, April 28, at midnight

Through high-definition video and the voices of people from all walks of life, PBS Western Reserve presents its new one-hour documentary that tells the story of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

GENERATIONS: CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK is a companion production to Ken Burns’ six-part documentary series THENATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA.

“We knew that chances were good that Ken Burns would focus on the iconic national parks, so we chose to focus on the Cuyahoga Valley story ourselves,” said Duilio Mariola, Western Reserve Public Media production manager. “Over the course of this past year, we shot more than 50 hours of high-definition footage so that we could accurately represent the park during every season.” He added that the concept of “generations” applies to all aspects of CVNP. “Obviously, it is a story of people who have benefited from the park’s resources, but we also acknowledge the evolution of the park’s geology and the generations of animals that have called the valley home.”

GENERATIONS is the first full-length broadcast documentary about 34-year-old Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It showcases the park’s 33,000 acres through a variety of methods, including archival video footage, recent interviews, oral histories and memorabilia provided by park visitors.

Integral to the production are the stories provided by more than 40 people who answered the station’s invitation to share their park memories and experiences. Anecdotes about valley farming, weekend hikes and wedding proposals enrich the concept of generations in the production, according to Mariola. Community members and business leaders also talk about the difficulties experienced during the park’s formative years as a new National Park Service entity.

Funding for GENERATIONS: CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK is provided by The Cleveland Foundation, FirstEnergy Foundation, George and Susan Klein and Family, The Harry K. Fox and Emma R. Fox Charitable Foundation, The Herbert W. Hoover Foundation, The John P. Murphy Foundation, National Park Service, NEOEA, PPG Industries Foundation and The S. Livingston Mather Charitable Trust. Additional support is provided by The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.

A PBS Western Reserve production, 2009.

Educational Resources

Subject Area: Interdisciplinary

Grade Level: 4-8

Download the GENERATIONS: CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK teacher guide.