Watch East Cleveland's video

Project Plan: KaBOOM! is determined to empower communities, and East Cleveland proposed to do just that with its plan: “The Garden of Hopes & Dreams!” East Cleveland will use the KaBOOM! grant to create a playground, community garden and outdoor learning center. The entire community will be involved, including children, who provided substantial input during the design phase and suggested that the garden be used as a vehicle for feeding the homeless. The plan is one of many future collaborations between the city, schools, health care and county agencies in an effort to rally the community.

City Profile

• Population (2000): 25,213 people
• Population of people under 18: 8,813
• Government: Mayor (Eric Brewer), plus a five-member City Council.
• East Cleveland became the first official suburb in the Cleveland area when it passed its city charter in 1911.
• Through the 1920s, East Cleveland housed “Millionaire’s Row” on Euclid Ave., which included a home owned by John D. Rockefeller.

PCUSA Initiatives

• Building on enthusiasm and support generated by local communities and elected officials during the Forest Hill Park KaBOOM! playground build, the city of East Cleveland continues to identify resources to invest in children and recognizes that positive playful activities develop stronger social interactions and healthier self images.
  
  
• The city has committed to officially declaring Kid’s Play Month to raise awareness about the importance of play.
  
  
• There also is an effort underway to have children approach City Council members in a symbolic gesture to increase dollars allocated for play.