Downtown
From the development of signature downtown parks to creating events that enliven downtown, ParkWorks remains focused on making Cleveland a healthier, more attractive and more competitive city.
ParkWorks, in partnership with the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, leads a diverse agenda to enhance the livability and economic strength of downtown. To assist the DCA and the City of Cleveland in envisioning and strategically building a thriving and energized downtown, Parkworks leverages the efforts of multiple project partners and civic groups to design, fundraise for, build and program downtown Cleveland’s signature public spaces.
The following projects demonstrate our commitment to revitalizing downtown:
Redesigning Public Square
Full Presentation of Public Square Design Concepts (7.5mb)
Public Square is Cleveland’s most prominent public space and the heart of our Downtown. For all of its history and physical relevance, however, Public Square in its current configuration does not function well. It does not serve the broader city and is devoid of the vitality and connectivity that a thriving public space should create. As designed now, Public Square is exceedingly unfriendly to both pedestrians and motorists hoping to navigate through the center of Downtown. Further, it is a difficult space to program. Special events are lost in the Square unless they are of a grand scale and budget.
In 2008, ParkWorks and Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA) began the first ever comprehensive redesign process for Public Square by engaging Wilbur Smith Associates to conduct a comprehensive traffic study for Public Square. This team felt that, with all that was known about the Square, there were unanswered questions about the practicality and feasibility of designing with and around two of Cleveland’s busiest streets and public transportation arteries. Beyond the constraints of these streets, there is flexibility to explore a design that meets these requirements but fully explores creative means to realign the space much more effectively.
A request for qualifications was distributed in May 2009 in an effort to identify a design team to address the scale, accessibility, connectivity and feel of Public Square. The RFQ was distributed through local and national outlets. From this process, a stakeholder group consisting of members of the DCA Public Square Task Force selected a design team which included New York based James Corner Field Operations and the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative.
After initial feedback and ongoing study, the design team created a set of preliminary, early-stage drawings. The purpose of these early-stage renderings is to inspire the conversation about what Cleveland’s Public Square should become and what role it should play in the future growth of our City. These initial concepts are the product of a careful and thoughtful process and the designs are calibrated to respond to the needs and desires of the users of Public Square.
Perk Park
Perk Park has perhaps the greatest potential to revitalize a critical corner of downtown Cleveland. Located at East 12th and Chester Avenue, the park sits in the middle of downtown’s highest concentration of residents. Perk Park is currently in a blighted, virtually abandoned state and tops the list of ParkWorks’ most critical green spaces in need of renovation. The revitalized park will serve as an anchor supporting this pivotal corner in downtown, with clear sight lines, a sloping great lawn, variety of benches and seating options and more. With millions of dollars of development in the surrounding blocks, this is the most significant project that ParkWorks can undertake in support of downtown's expansion as an economic and residential neighborhood. Park renovations are expected to begin this summer.
Rockefeller Park
ParkWorks is helping to shape an exciting future for Rockefeller Park. As part of the Greater University Circle initiative, ParkWorks has partnered with University Circle, Inc. to lead a strategic planning process for Rockefeller Park. A priority objective for the future of this initiative is to focus on connections between the many organizations in University Circle and the neighborhoods -- specifically how Rockefeller Park can be used to stimulate development and serve as a vibrant space that celebrates the excitement, energy and potential of the Greater University Circle. Our work in Rockefeller Park is supported by the City of Cleveland; The Cleveland Foundation; The George Gund Foundation; Holden Parks Trust; The Kent H. Smith Foundation; Neighborhood Progress, Inc; and The Sears-Swetland Family Foundation.
Lake to Lakes Trail
With expertise from Siteworks, McKnight & Associates and Austin Allen, ParkWorks has completed the design for the Lake to Lakes bicycle link, a trail that would connect the Euclid Corridor through University Circle, Ambler Park and up the hill to Shaker and Cleveland Heights. The City has approved spending $750,000 on the bike path. Construction may start in Fall of 2009, but timing is still undetermined. In May of 2009, the Lake to Lakes plan was awarded the highest possible Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Euclid Containers
In anticipation of the Euclid Corridor Project and the ensuing opportunity to showcase Euclid Avenue, the Downtown Cleveland Alliance asked ParkWorks to take the lead on landscaping. ParkWorks’ vision for the greatest street impact came in the form of vibrant planters. With guidance from Cleveland Public Art and a design panel, ParkWorks selected a whimsical “wrap” design for the 100 planters that would punctuate Euclid Avenue from Public Square to Playhouse Square. Designed by Cleveland Institute of Art graduate, Mark A. Reigelman, and inspired by the wrappings of a flower bouquet, the planters create a unique and personable avenue that invites city-goers to engage.
East Fourth Street
ParkWorks is excited to renew our partnership with MRN Limited, developer of the East Fourth Neighborhood and our commitment to urban beautification by brightening East Fourth with a touch of green. Utilizing the same design scheme developed in partnership with McKnight & Associates in 2008, ParkWorks has again enlivened the neighborhood with copper sconces that adorn building facades, horizontal planters that line the street and a series of hanging planters to accentuate outdoor café fencing.
Harvey Rice
In November of 2007, ParkWorks was awarded $1 million from the Saint Luke’s Foundation to transform the old Saint Luke’s Medical Center site, located in the Buckeye neighborhood and bordered by East 116th Street, MLK Jr. Boulevard and Shaker Boulevard, into a learning campus. The new space will include a renovated community auditorium, new elementary school, public library, learning garden and a system of walking paths that will integrate the campus into the surrounding neighborhood. We expect to dedicate the site in Spring of 2010.
University East Plaza
ParkWorks and Cleveland Public Art (CPA), on behalf of University Circle Inc. (UCI), are leading a design process for a new 10,000 square foot public plaza that will be located at the main intersection of Euclid and Mayfield Avenues in University Circle—the region’s fast-growing arts, education and medical hub. A $400,000 project, the new plaza will help sew together the various development projects and streetscape improvements that will surround it and play a pivotal role as a central gathering place for the University Circle neighborhood. Designed by the Seattle based landscape architect firm, CMG, the new plaza is scheduled for installation throughout the summer of 2009.
Marion Sterling School Playground
This $200,000 playground and learning garden, with significant funding from St. Peter’s Church, was designed in partnership with McKnight & Associates and shaped by feedback from school children. Installation is scheduled for the summer of 2009.
Strawbridge Plaza
In 2003, ParkWorks turned a parking lot into a park.
Funded by the Cleveland Mall Beautification Fund, this project saw black asphalt become 116 trees, a great lawn, pathways, benches and 13 flower beds.
To celebrate this spectacular achievement, hundreds of people attended the dedication of Strawbridge Plaza on October 8, 2003 as part of the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Burnham Plan for Cleveland’s downtown Mall greenspace.
Medical Mutual Plaza at Huron Point
The beautifully designed Medical Mutual Plaza at Huron Point demonstrates the importance of street life and lively public spaces. The park serves as a critical axis between the Gateway and Theater Districts and is a great benefit for nearby downtown residents and employees.
All elements of the Plaza design and the adjacent mural artwork have dramatically elevated the design standard for public space in Cleveland. Both the Plaza and mural received commendations from the City Planning Commission. We hope that this park will be an inspiration for future public space projects.
Perk Park/Chester Commons
Perk Park, formerly Chester Commons, has perhaps the greatest potential to truly revitalize a critical corner of downtown Cleveland. Located at East 12th and Chester Avenue, the park sits in the middle of downtown’s highest concentration of residents.
Perk Park is currently in a blighted, virtually abandoned state and tops the list of ParkWorks’ most critical green spaces in need of renovation. The revitalized park will serve as an anchor supporting this pivotal corner in downtown. With millions of dollars in development in the surrounding blocks this is the most significant project that ParkWorks can undertake in support of downtown's development as an economic and residential neighborhood.
A rebuilt and revitalized Perk Park will serve as an anchor for this corner of downtown, with a sloping great lawn, a variety of benches and seating options, a retail kiosk and a water feature that can be turned off and doubles as a small stage.
In an article published October 28, 2003, Plain Dealer architecture critic Steve Litt was effusive in his praise for the proposed park design and saluted ParkWorks for leading the effort.
"Now - finally! - foundations and nonprofit organizations have realized that big buildings aren’t enough; the city needs beautiful parks and greenspaces if it hopes to compete with its own suburbs for jobs and residents…The best is yet to come. ParkWorks a nonprofit organization devoted to the betterment of public spaces in the city, has completed an excellent design for the renovation of Perk Plaza…The plan for the park is simple, logical and filled with potential to make one corner of downtown more desirable as a place to live and work."
