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

Azel Bolden: Yes, I am an advocate for utilizing our vacant lots to make them gardens or community parks for the residents close by to improve the use of the numerous of vacant lots around. Also this type of activity will help to get residents out and somewhere to go close, but safety is an issue and we must think about having cameras in the area or working to get police mini stations in the area to have much better patrol then we receive now.

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.”

Azel Bolden: I will work to ensure that during my time in office we keep our community and parks cleaned so that we do not need things like this where we spend time and money twice for work. If there comes a time where things are not being taken care of and there seems to be a need I do not mind working together to ensure quality.

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.

Azel Bolden: Well, when you look at the parks in ward 2, they are not surviving and is not a place where kids play, but many of other activity goes on and no one thinks about the kids who have no where else to go. As I thought about this issue it seems as though we can improve the quality of our parks and get some police presence so that our families and children especially safe. Get out parks in some better places along the main roads with the bike trails and make our parks inclusive to the community and in the main streets so we can monitor and have better police presence to ensure safety and the wrong activity from going on.

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. 

Azel Bolden: One thing I want to do as mentioned in the last answer is to work with the other departments of the city where we are looking to place bike lanes, we can place parks so bikers can arrive safely. Also, we want to ensure that we place these parks and places an average distance from the residents so all have equal access.

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

Azel Bolden: As a part of something that I would love to do is work with the community and have open discussions to see what the thoughts are of the people so that our decisions reflect what the tax payers are looking to see ensuring a return on investment.

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. 

Azel Bolden: Well also from speaking to the residents to see what they would like I can see what to implement, but I would like to see some out our block grant go to enhancing the community as well as our corporations we work with in the community. I worked for YOU as a youth, so I understand the capability in having these programs work with our youth to keep them engaged which is important to teach values. I want to provide mulch for residents if they want it to add it to their homes, flowers and gardens so we can work together as a community to provide upkeep of the area and its look so as people come through ward 2 they want to stop not speed up.

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?

Azel Bolden: Well the goal for the parks would be to make them inclusive to the community and create them where the park can cater to the community as well as add value and give our residents a place to be excited to call home. I believe we have to get all of the city forces working together to ensure safety and the adequate space for opportunity and growth as a community.

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.

Azel Bolden: I would like to understand the issues as stand alone, but I believe we work better as a force when we are all hands-on deck to see the change because often because someone is not apart of a group they don’t have part in the work and we want the community to be an all hands on deck project at all times. What I will advocate for is dedication of someone to ensure the quality and if we need to go further and form a cabinet it can be discussed at later date. If we take care of the community no need for those type of things.

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.

Azel Bolden: Well to ensure the transparency we can hold community town hall meetings and discuss these areas of direction before they are taken by those in office and make decisions without those who these decisions directly impact. We also can check with the residents and take feedback from how what we do works.