Crocker Park's 'Green Factory' to put focus on sustainability
By Kevin Kelley
Insights
Published Aug. 18, 2010

Crocker Park will host a daylong program on environmental sustainability from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Called “The Green Factory Event,” the program will feature presentations from sustainable living experts and local leaders of the green movement.

Notable guest speakers include Katie Spotz, the 22-year-old who rowed across the Atlantic Ocean in 70 days to raise awareness for clean drinking water, who will speak at 2:20 p.m., and Steve Schmolder, owner of Cleveland’s free-range-friendly Crop Restaurant, who will speak at 11:45 a.m.

Rebecca Krueger, a consultant who organized the event on behalf of Stark Enterprises, the owner of Crocker Park, said the company wants the shopping and lifestyle center to be seen as a major sustainability resource in the region.

Stark officials have been meeting with recent graduates from Baldwin-Wallace College’s sustainability program to examine how Stark’s properties can become more environmentally friendly.

For example, Crocker Park instituted a recycling program on its property within the last year, Krueger said.

Krueger said Stark officials have coined a new term to promote the green lifestyle — “su.style.ability.” The word, she said, indicates that environmental awareness reflects “refinement and style.”

Krueger recruited Saturday’s speakers, who will give talks on the stage adjacent to The Cheesecake Factory.

Other events and speakers include:

• 11 a.m. A reading of Dr. Suess’ “The Lorax” at Borders Books & Music

• 1:30 p.m. Dr. Keith Jordan, holistic physician and founder of Optimal Health Wellness Center, to speak on “Living Sustainably.”

• 3 p.m. John McGovern, from the Earth Day Coalition, will speak on “Sustainable Transportation.”

• 3:30 p.m. Stephanie Strong Corbett, director of sustainability at Tri-C, will speak on “Living Sustainably.”

• 4 p.m. Dr. David Krueger, director of sustainability at Baldwin-Wallace College, will speak on “What Students Have Taught Me About Sustainability.”

• 4:30 p.m. Ed Aghajanian, owner of Westlake’s EZ Brite, which makes earth-friendly cleaning products.

On the Web:

• Crocker Park
• Schedule of events for Crocker Park's "Green Factory"