Project team

Lead: The Canaan Community Enhancement Education Center (CCEEC).

Partners:  H.E.A.L. Cleveland, Harvard Community Service Center. Expertise provided by Ohio State University Extension.

Project description and goals

The project proposes a cluster of pocket parks as an extension of Kruse Park located in Cleveland’s southeast side. In addition to the park expansion, the project aims to address blight, and to maintain the value of the houses in the Lee-Harvard neighborhood.  By incorporating community involvement in the parks’ development, the project also provides educational opportunities for both residents and youth.

Existing conditions

The parks are to be developed on three vacant sites.  Site 1, located at 16202 Tarkington (Parcel # 143-02-001), is a 7,680 sq. ft. former residential lot in close proximity to CCEEC’s existing vegetable gardens. Site 2 is a 6,400 sq. ft. lot located at 16321 Tarkington (Parcel # 143-01-046), located between two residential houses.  Site 3 is separated from the other sites at 16708 Meadowvale (Parcel # 143-02-148), located on a 4,700 sq. ft. lot abutting a wooded area of Kruse Park.

Proposed interventions

Site 1’s conversion is for a passive pocket park with seating and native plantings.  The second site—given its placement between residential occupancies—aims to fill in the space with native plantings and bushes so as to de-emphasize the housing gap. Site 3 is premised as a re-use of vacant land as an extension of an existing park.  The proposed site will hold native plantings and bird feeders, as well as naturalistic seating (e.g., tree stumps).

Site maintenance

All sites will require regular watering and limited mowing, weeding, and trash removal.  There will be a maintenance calendar set-up in which the 30-plus volunteers will be scheduled on a rolling basis.