Delete WardJun 22, 2021
After nearly 20 years of disuse and years of cleanup, the new 25-acre Brighton Park in Old Brooklyn is officially open.
The former Henniger Landfill – used as a construction and demolition debris landfill in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood until it closed in the 1980s – was acquired by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy in 2015. Since then, the 25 acre site has been the focus of WRLC, the City, Metroparks, Councilman Tony Brancatelli and other organizations to turn a closed landfill into a park for residents to enjoy.
In the ensuing years since WRLC bought the landfill and some adjacent properties there’s been erosion control, water quality improvements, reintroduction of native trees, wildflowers and grasses, and invasive plant removal. Remediation of the landfill was completed in 2017 and a trail system was developed to allow for full public access and enjoyment.
The park creates a large public green space in Old Brooklyn with access for hiking, biking, walking, birding and other outdoor recreation activities, and brings a new park to one of the city’s largest and most densely populated neighborhoods. It offers a distant view of Cleveland's industrial Flats and a scenic view of Big Creek. It is part of Cleveland Metroparks Brookside Reservation.
“This has been a long time coming, and I couldn’t be more excited that it’s finally here,” said Councilman Brancatelli, who represents the area. “I look forward to seeing residents, neighbors and friends in the park.”
Additionally, approximately one mile of new trails will support an enhanced regional trail network, including a connector between the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and Brookside Reservation. The project also protects 1,015 linear feet of Lower Big Creek.