Our Platform

Originally created in response to the 2021 Cleveland Mayoral Race, our platform outlines the guiding objectives of the Parks & Greenspace Coalition grounded by the three pillars of our work: people, equity, and access. The platform was co-created with dozens of resident and organization stakeholders from across the City of Cleveland

You can access and download the full Cleveland Parks & Greenspace Coalition Platform here.

  • • ✅ We provide resources to residents so they may advocate and care for neighborhood parks through programming, maintenance, and ongoing stewardship.

    • We advocate at the city level for an advisory board of community members and experienced professionals to represent the needs and desires of neighborhood residents from the very beginning of park development. This board should meet regularly with city officials, ensuring accountability between government and community groups throughout the park development process.

    • We advocate for the city creating pathways to opportunity for all ages with a focus on employment and leadership within the parks system.

  • • Enacting and investing in policies that ensure all Clevelanders have access to safe, well maintained, high-quality parks, within a 10-minute walk from their home. This includes four-season programming and art-filled spaces that connect to larger trail and park networks, neighborhoods, and the city’s waterfronts.

    • ✅ Conducting an independent, third-party quality assessment of the distribution of city parks and greenspaces during the first year in office, with equity included as a measurement of quality. This document should be accessible to the public and updated every five years.

    • Ensuring that parks meet the needs of and are welcoming to the communities where they are located, including residents of different abilities, races, ethnicities, socio-economic status, gender identities, and ages. Potential parks users must be represented through culturally-relevant programming, artwork, signage, and other amenities.t goes here

  • • ✅ Partnering with relevant parks and greenspace organizations to develop a comprehensive parks master plan that invests in both neighborhood and destination parks. This process must be led by an independent third party, and be inclusive and accessible to everyone who wants to participate, and prioritize areas that have been historically disinvested.

    • ✅ Creating a city department with cabinet-level leadership and experienced staff that includes parks and greenspaces, recreation facilities, and trails. This department should develop strong relationships with philanthropy and organizations working in this sector.

    • Ensuring the City of Cleveland’s parks investment process is publicly accessible in order to provide clarity around parks selection and funding for improvements.