Faith Lo
Nestled between the cities of Cleveland and Akron lies a lush, unexpected stretch of wilderness that has become one of Ohio’s most beloved treasures, Cuyahoga Valley National Park. With winding trails, peaceful forests, and the steady flow of the Cuyahoga River, this park offers a different kind of grandeur, one built on resilience, history, and calm beauty.
Photo Credit: NPS
The story of Cuyahoga is one of transformation. The name itself—Cuyahoga—comes from a Mohawk word meaning “crooked river,” a nod to the way the water meanders through the landscape. For much of the 20th century, that same river was a symbol of industrial pollution. In fact, it caught fire multiple times, most famously in 1969. But out of that fire came a wave of environmental activism that helped fuel the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Water Act. In 2000, the area was designated as a National Park, and what was once a corridor of decline became a beacon of renewal.
Photo Credit: NPS
Today, Cuyahoga Valley National Park spans more than 33,000 acres of forests, wetlands, rolling hills, and meadows. One of its most iconic features is Brandywine Falls, a stunning 65-foot waterfall that feels like something out of a fairytale. Wildlife thrives here from white-tailed deer, beavers, red foxes, and over 200 species of birds, including great blue herons and bald eagles, call the park home. In every season, the park offers a different kind of magic, from spring wildflowers and summer kayaking to fiery fall colors and peaceful winter hikes through snow-covered trees.
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Guardians of Green Space
Behind the beauty and accessibility of Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a dedicated partner working tirelessly to protect and enhance the park’s legacy: the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This nonprofit was formed with one clear purpose to support the park through philanthropy, community connection, and educational outreach.
The mission of the Conservancy is to engage people in the protection and enhancement of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. They’re not just caretakers of the land, they’re bridge-builders, connecting people to nature, to history, and to one another. Their values center on sustainability, stewardship, education, and inclusivity, ensuring that the park is not only protected but also welcoming to all.
Over the years, the Conservancy has played a vital role in shaping the park’s future. One of their most visible contributions is the Boston Mill Visitor Center, a vibrant hub for guests to learn about the park’s history and plan their adventures. They’ve also restored acres of habitat, led volunteer efforts, and provided environmental education to more than 10,000 students annually. Their “Trails Now” campaign has expanded and improved trail infrastructure, and their cultural arts programming brings people together through music, storytelling, and shared experiences in nature.
Photo Credit: NPS
Current initiatives include protecting additional land within and around the park to maintain ecological integrity, climate resilience projects, and increasing access to outdoor experiences for underserved communities. Their work ensures that the park remains not only beautiful but also resilient, inclusive, and relevant for future generations.
Handmade Tradition: Deneen Pottery & the Spirit of the Parks
At Deneen Pottery, making mugs for Cuyahoga Valley National Park is more than just a creative process, it’s a way to honor the incredible stories woven into the fabric of each park we partner with. Every mug we make is handcrafted, just like the experiences that inspire them. And for us, it’s not just about making pottery, it’s about celebrating the places people love.
That’s why we’re proud to share that 10% of all sales from our National Park mugs go directly back to the parks through nonprofit partnerships and donations. That includes support for organizations like the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, who are working daily to keep these spaces wild, welcoming, and well-cared for.
Lately, we’ve been hearing from customers that their family travels include going on Deneen Pottery mug hunts! It’s become a new kind of travel tradition: whenever someone visits a new park or special destination, they search for a Deneen Pottery mug to commemorate the experience. These mugs become reminders of family vacations, first hikes, anniversary trips, and spontaneous adventures.
We’ve heard from families who keep a growing shelf of National Park mugs, each one tied to a memory. From sunrise at Acadia to a rainy day hike in the Smokies, a mug becomes a piece of that moment. We’ve seen people map their cross-country travels through their collections, and we can’t tell you how much it means to us to play a small part in those stories.
To us, it’s an honor to support America’s public lands. It’s a joy to collaborate with incredible park partners. And it’s a privilege to know that the mugs we make might just help someone hold on to the moments that matter most.
Make Cuyahoga Part of Your Story
Whether you’re an Ohio native or visiting from across the country, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers an unforgettable experience, one rooted in resilience, shaped by community, and surrounded by natural beauty. At Deneen Pottery, we’re proud to help celebrate that story in clay, glaze, and generations of family travel traditions.
So the next time you visit a National Park, whether it’s your first or your fiftieth, look for a mug. Take it home. Share the story. And know that with every purchase, you’re helping protect the places that inspire us all.
Happy travels and happy mug hunting!
Faith Lo
