CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Foundation today announced a $5-million gift to the Trust for Public Land to underwrite the Cleveland Metroparks' project to build the Lake Link Trail that will join the Flats to the Lakefront.

The Trust for Public Land is a nationwide private non-profit conservancy that helps to build public parks and to protect land from development.

Bob Eckardt, the Cleveland Foundation's executive vice president, said, "We thought about our special gifts in recognition of our centennial, and thought of helping to complete some long-unfinished efforts like getting Public Square done and helping with trails and connections."

"This one is really symbolic because it connects the river and lake and is an important part of the future of Cleveland," he said.

The Lake Link Trail will connect to the Towpath Trail.

Project officials said the Lake Link Trail will be renamed Cleveland Foundation Centennial Trail in recognition of the foundation's commitment to the project and its century-long mission of enhancing the lives of Greater Clevelanders.

"Lake Erie is our region's most prized natural asset, yet too many residents have never been to the shores of the largest freshwater system on Earth," said Ronn Richard, Cleveland Foundation President and CEO.

"By helping to connect Cleveland to our lakefront, we can promote healthy living, stimulate economic development and, ultimately, create a green city on a blue lake," Richard said. 'We can't imagine a more fitting tribute to the people and the place that not only created our foundation 100 years ago, but continue to partner with us in our second century of place-based impact."

Brian Zimmerman, CEO of the Cleveland Metroparks, said the Lake Link Trail is a combined effort, with the Trust for Public Land "as the clearing house for the funding."

The park system will design, build and maintain the trail.

"Phase I is out to bid, and in design development right now," Zimmerman said. "Land clearing has already started. We'd like open the first phase of the construction by the second or third quarter of 2015."

When complete, the trail will run for about a mile and a half, terminating at Wendy Park on Whiskey Island.

Zimmerman said it will be built in as many as four phases. The first phase from Scranton to Columbia roads is underway. Later phases will include a bike and pedestrian bridge that will join the flats to Wendy Park.

Some of the land for the trail system is owned by various parties including Land Studio, West Creek Conservancy, and the city of Cleveland.

Whiskey Island currently is owned by Cuyahoga County and is scheduled to pass to the Metroparks on Dec. 17.

Pam Carson, director of the Trust for Public Land's Ohio component, said total cost for the project is estimated to be around $15 million. The Cleveland Foundation gift will mean that around $8 million already has been raised, with $2 million from the Gund Foundation and the rest from private donors and smaller foundations.

'Think about all the residents and visitors who will be able to get to our under-new-management lakefront parks," Carson said. " What is amazing when people come together is what gets done."