EMERALD NECKLACE FRONT

Pierre's Ice Cream has dedicated this new flavor, Emerald Necklace, to Cleveland Metroparks trails.

(Pierre's Ice Cream)

No, it isn't flavored with roots and bark.

But close.

The new Pierre's Ice Cream flavor dedicated to Cleveland Metroparks takes its profile from mint leaves and cacao pods. Dubbed "Emerald Necklace," after the parks' nickname, it features, according to its makers, "mint ice cream, chocolate cream cookies and trails of thick fudge."

Trails is the operative word, said parks chief Brian Zimmerman, in a published statement.

"Not only did Pierre's find a way to capture the essence of Cleveland Metroparks in a new ice cream flavor," he said, "they found a tasty way to support Cleveland Metroparks trail fund."

That fund helps maintain 220 miles of natural surface trails in the park, said parks spokeswoman Sue Allen. It also supports the design and construction of new trails. Pierre's donated $2,500 to the fund, joining more than 300 donors since 2011, for a total of $75,000. The company will also used promotional stickers on store freezers to promote the product and the parks.

The sweet, green stuff made its debut at noon on Tuesday as park and ice cream officials planned to dish out free samples at E55, the food service stop operated by Metroparks at the lakeside East 55th Street pier. It is expected to start showing up in 1.5-quart containers in area stores today. Metroparks' new full-service restaurant, Merwin's Wharf, will eventually feature the ice cream in a drink and dessert, Allen said.

More than a combination of mint and chocolate, the flavor joins two similar institutions in a project, said Pierre's president Shelley Roth.

"Both evoke fond memories, celebrations and fun times with family and friends," she said. "And we hope (the ice cream) will encourage more of those special moments."

It certainly will help cool off those emerging from a hot day on the trail.

Some information on the trails fund was added to the original post.