The Village of Chagrin Falls, in partnership with Chagrin River Watershed Partners, has completed the Evergreen Cemetery Stream Restoration with support from a $201,000 Ohio EPA Section 319(h) grant. This project restored 400 linear feet of stream and riparian habitat, including daylighting 230 linear feet of headwater stream, a direct tributary to the State Scenic Chagrin River. The project reconnected the stream to its floodplain, improved water quality, and helped address downstream erosion.

Prior to restoration, the tributary was culverted and eroding severely downstream, sending excess sediment and pollutants into the Chagrin River and threatening nearby infrastructure.

The restoration, designed by Verdantas and constructed by Mr. Excavator, Inc. in summer 2025, used a bioengineering approach. Streambanks were regraded to stable slopes, a floodplain bench was constructed, and grade-control structures such as rock sills and riffle-pool sequences were installed to stabilize the channel and create high-quality aquatic habitat. The new floodplain was planted with native wetland vegetation to absorb stormwater, reduce flooding risk, and improve habitat conditions.