Delete WardEuclid Beach Neighborhood Plan Could Transform East Side Lakefront
Feb 10, 2023
CLEVELAND (February 10, 2023) – Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek and other neighborhood leaders responded positively to the newly created Euclid Beach Neighborhood Plan that calls for converting the site of the fabled former amusement park into an expansive lakefront greenspace hopefully overseen by Cleveland Metroparks.
“This has been more than 70 years in the making,” said Councilman Mike Polensek. “Plans go back to 1949 to create this as a contiguous park that joins Euclid Beach, Villa Angela and Wildwood.
“Today we have an opportunity to realize that,” continued Councilman Polensek. “This is the opportunity to improve not only the site at Euclid Beach but create connections and new recreation opportunities for Greater Collinwood and neighboring communities. This plan - supported by a wide array of credible Greater Cleveland organizations - is well-designed and thoughtful. It needs to be implemented.”
Polensek emphasized that the plan is contingent upon fair and equitable treatment of residents of the Euclid Beach Mobile Home Community. Read the plan.
“The residents of Euclid Beach Mobile Home Community must be treated fairly, and with dignity and respect. The current property owners – Western Reserve Land Conservancy – have done so since they acquired the property and I’m confident will continue to do so,” he said.
The Euclid Beach Mobile Home Park sits on 28 acres of land. Within a 15-minute walk of this property there are collectively nearly 30 acres of vacant land that can be repurposed with affordable housing options to provide an array of fair housing opportunities within the neighborhood.
“I look forward to working with the Bibb Administration, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Western Reserve Land Conservancy and all the housing organizations that are a part of this planning process to ensure the residents have as many housing opportunities as possible,” Polensek said.
Cigornia Sapp, resident of Collinwood and owner of units at the Euclid Beach Mobile Home Community, said, "The residents of the Euclid Beach Mobile Home Community are recognizing the reality of the situation. The costs to upgrade over 30 years of deferred maintenance are too expensive. We all expect the Land Conservancy to continue to prioritize the tenants of Euclid Beach and make sure they receive kindness and justice.”
Tom Berardineli, a resident of the Euclid Beach Mobile Home Community who has lived there for nearly 20 years said, “It’s been great living so close to the lake. But we all knew something was going to happen sooner or later since costs to repair or replace all the damaged water and sewage lines are too expensive. It’s sad to think about having to move. But we are optimistic that we will continue to be treated with respect and dignity.”
“I wholeheartedly endorse the recommendations included in the plan,” Councilman Polensek said. “This will revitalize Greater Collinwood. Investment into the East 185th Corridor, the Waterloo Arts District, and now the unified Euclid Beach greenspace will transform this area into a vibrant lakefront community.”
A community meeting was held recently on the plan. See the presentation. Community partners' comments.