Will you commit to developing parks and greenspaces in your Ward so that 100% of Clevelanders have access to a high-quality park within a 10-minute walk from their home? If yes, how would you do this?

According to The Trust for Public Land’s 2021 ParkScore(R) rankings, 83% of Clevelanders currently live within a 10-minute walk from a park. You can learn more about the 10 minute walk campaign and Cleveland’s overall ParkScore(R) at www.tpl.org/city/cleveland-ohio

Michael Hardy: Encouraging resident involvement is important. I plan on publishing a Ward 11-specific newsletter. I will use this newsletter to talk about parks and promote certain activities. The community's response(s) will dictate the specifics. The goal will be to lead with feedback from those who will ultimately participate…the residents.

In your role as councilperson, would you commit to conducting an independent, third-party quality assessment of city parks during the first year in office? If yes, how will you measure equity while performing this assessment?

We define equity as “just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. Unlocking the promise of the nation by unleashing the promise in us all.”

Michael Hardy: I would do research while I look at the benefits of such an endeavor. As a councilperson, I would first hold some town halls to discuss the parks in Ward 11 specifically. Community feedback is the key to growth and I want to lead with that. I would like to look at what is transpiring in some of the other cities, particularly our peer cities. I think we could reap a lot of benefits by looking at what works in those cities and bring some ideas to the city of Cleveland. Of course, presenting the ideas to the city’s administration and city council will be the key to implementation.

How would you specifically prioritize racial equity while investing in the Cleveland parks system?

Neighborhood parks support residents through improving physical and mental health outcomes, providing safe and welcoming spaces for recreation, promoting economic activity, and improving air quality.  Many residents, especially those who are predominately black and brown- do not have access to these benefits because of lack of or poor quality greenspaces in their neighborhoods.

Michael Hardy: I would like to have a strategic alliance or relationship with the Metroparks and help tie them in with the city’s parks and recreation centers. Also, I would like to seek and search out opportunities for them to coordinate activities with kids (in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District) and senior citizens, introducing them to fishing, hiking, wildflowers, and herbs. They could also learn about rock formations and the benefits of trees, tree planting, gardening, and urban farming. I would seek grant monies to implement the programs.

How would you ensure that parks and greenspaces are physically accessible for all Clevelanders?

Park amenities as well as paths and routes to the parks impact residents ability to use and enjoy our parks system. 

Michael Hardy: Having more of them strategically placed would be a priority. Using and upgrading schoolyards and playgrounds and keeping them maintained as well as financed via funding and sponsors would be a priority too. But perhaps we need to make sure the RTA considers the location of parks in route planning.

How would you specifically ensure community input was a part of the planning, development, and improvement of parks and greenspaces in your Ward?

Michael Hardy: I am a strong advocate for Public Comment and Transparent Government. Recently, I was part of a group of Clevelanders for Public Comment that had the privilege of speaking before Cleveland City Council about the importance of having Public Comment as an Ordinance. If it ever becomes an Ordinance, it’s strength and foundation will be a vehicle for transparency and community engagement. It’s foundation will aide and bolster the city as it has done for our peer cities. As I alluded to in the previous responses, resident participation is key to success, and it is imperative we get their ideas moving forward. I think urban farming is great, but more residents may be interested in raising plants and flowers for their beauty. The public will tell us.

How would you provide resources to residents so they can advocate and care for neighborhood parks through programming, maintenance, and ongoing stewardship?

It is vital that residents be empowered with the information and tools necessary to care for their local parks. For example, programs like Philadelphia’s Parks & Recreation Summer Youth Employment Program help create a pipeline of park advocates. 

Michael Hardy: In addition to the newsletter, I will aggressively use social media to connect people of similar interests. In the past I worked with groups to help them identify funding and write proposals. I hope to create a cadre of residents that help identify funding sources. The city cannot, and will not do it all, but as Councilperson I may have the ability to identify resources that are sometimes overlooked.

Will you commit to partnering with relevant agencies to create a coordinated and transparent parks and greenspace master plan that prioritizes both neighborhood and destination parks? How would you go about this process?

Michael Hardy: Partnerships and collaborations are the keys to success. First, there must be an assessment of the-currently-available greenspace. Once we identify those assets I would go to the residents with the data and see what they think. I would find out what type of activities they are interested in.

Now this is an unfair question during the Olympic year. Right now, I foresee interest in all sorts of obscure sports that are probably not realistic. In our public survey, we will find out. Beyond our traditional activities and sports, we need to get everyone involved: seniors, the disabled, etc. I would like to get more people exposed to activities like martial arts, yoga, tai-chi, breathing, and meditation. There are a lot of benefits to this type of exposure.

As a member of Council, would you commit to the creation of a standalone Parks & Recreation Department, with cabinet-level leadership and experienced staff? How would you ensure this department was adequately staffed and funded?

Currently the parks and recreation services must compete with several other citywide services within the Division of Public works.

Michael Hardy: Yes, I would support the establishment of such an office and will support adequate funding, but I see the activities of this entity as one of independent fundraising. The national interest in Greenspaces is obvious. A well-organized funding campaign by a city like Cleveland, or even in my Ward could be a success.

How will you increase transparency around this funding process and ensure that funding is invested equitably?

Throughout our engagement with 100+ stakeholders, it was consistently mentioned that people lack clarity around the City of Cleveland’s parks investment process for park improvement and maintenance. This was even true amongst professionals who work on public space investment.

Michael Hardy: The Ward 11-specific newsletter that I am proposing will help those closest to home. If the council institutes the Public Comment legislation that I support and implement it as an Ordinance, there would at least be more accountability. In Ward 11, I would organize a Greenspace group to help determine what the residents are looking for regarding such activities.