ParkWorks Cleveland : NPI Partnership : Case Studies

I. Herman Park
In order to have a truly functioning, appealing neighborhood you must have quality parks that encourage community growth and active involvement. Pivotal to the true engagement of a community is park programming - and Herman Park, located in Cleveland's Detroit Shoreway exemplifies this notion. Without proper programming Herman Park exists only as an underutilized park and not as a healthy neighborhood-gathering place. However, through the implementation of free, quality, family-oriented events, Herman Park thrives with foot traffic and energy.

In collaboration with the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Corporation, a neighborhood teen liaison, and the North Shore Neighbors community block club, ParkWorks has, since 2003, facilitated a summertime itinerary rich with activity. In an attempt to attract an array of citizens, ParkWorks very consciously incorporates events that speak to all age groups and peoples. This strategy has proven to captivate the diversity of the neighborhood, bringing together a true cross-section of the community. Highlighted events from the 2006 summer lineup include: bi-weekly art instruction, an outdoor movie, ice cream social and visiting Motown band.

In an attempt to enhance its relationship and knowledge of the community, each summer ParkWorks selects an invested neighborhood teen to represent her community, providing input and leadership in the planning, promotion and production of summertime park activities. In return for her assistance, the liaison receives a monetary stipend, vocational experience, leadership and interpersonal development as well as a sound skill set and appreciation for park advocacy and stewardship.

By offering frequent park activities, ParkWorks fosters the development of Herman Park as a social gathering space for the community. With activities that engage residents in the appreciation of their park, residents are more likely to lend a hand in keeping the park clean, safe and used. Through ongoing programming, ParkWorks hopes to instill that Herman and other such parks are actively used as a way to build community while encouraging artistic, social and physical activity. Our intent is for communities to encourage park-goers to utilize each park regardless if there are organized activities scheduled to take place. ParkWorks wants residents to recognize that their parks offer a wide variety of free amenities such as, picnic tables, ball fields and basketball hoops in which can provide enjoyment for family members throughout the year.

II. Lincoln Park
Programming in Tremont's Lincoln Park further exemplifies the value of community park events. Now in it's 5th year, the cornerstone to Lincoln's programming is the Arts in August series. A collaboration between Tremont West Development Corporation, City Councilman Joe Cimperman and ParkWorks, this performance series involves live theatre, dance and musical performance in Tremont's Lincoln Park each weekend in August and into September. The concept of Arts in August rose out of the return of the Ohio Ballet to the Tremont neighborhood. With a captive audience within the neighborhood and the ability to promote events to those living outside the neighborhood, it was felt that due to the Ballet's presence, the month of August should be dedicated to the arts. The mission of the program has always been to expose the people of Tremont, greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio to the beauty and positive influence of the arts and to provide this exposure free of cost. The audience ranges from families to young couples; low income to high income representing the diversity of demographics from all around Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.

In 2005, the series included performances by Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland Shakespeare Festival and the Ohio Ballet. We estimated over 5,000 people took part in Arts in August, with the largest audiences participating in a signature event - the Ohio Ballet Summer Festival. Summer Festival is a free, fun, casual, and family-oriented way to experience professional ballet. It includes the Ohio Ballet company of dancers, theater-quality staging, sound, lighting, and costuming. Audiences of all ages are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy a magical evening under the stars. Turned Out Tikes- an interactive training session opened up the magic of dance to small children by teaching them basic ballet moves-is also part of the Summer Festival. Often, this performance series is an inauguration to professional ballet for both our young and adult audiences. In 2005, the Arts in August program was the only Cleveland performance in the Ohio Ballet Summer Festival Series.

The consistency of quality arts and cultural events in Lincoln Park has enhanced and brightened the lives of those engaged. ParkWorks is committed to developing healthy, vibrant neighborhood parks that serve as an important component of urban life. With the Arts in August series as a catalyst, Lincoln Park has developed into a prime example of this commitment. With a growing audience over the last four years, this series has brought vibrancy and fostered community not only within Tremont, Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Lincoln Park has become a highly identifiable greenspace throughout Cleveland and the suburbs due to this exposure. It is in this way that performance series such as the Arts in August Series not only offer exposure to the arts for a whole new audience but also enhance the quality of life and competitiveness of Cleveland's urban communities.