Overview:
This guide is co-published through a partnership with the Cleveland Parks & Greenspace Coalition and Trust for Public Land (TPL). The coalition advocates for an equitable parks and recreation system and supports resident-led stewardship and activation of city parks. TPL works to connect all Ohioans to the outdoors through land conservation, parks, trails and schoolyards. This article is written by Tait Ferguson, coordinator for the coalition. This guide is specifically for City of Cleveland parks, not Cleveland Metroparks.
Is there a broken swing, a cracked concrete path or a ripped tennis court net at your local city park? These are considered maintenance issues, not park improvements that require new construction. Here’s what you can do to get a maintenance issue resolved at a city park in Cleveland.
When do I contact the Division of Park Maintenance?
The City of Cleveland’s Division of Park Maintenance manages maintenance issues in city parks (for example: cracked sidewalk, broken bench, ripped net). To address a maintenance issue in your park, use the 311 system to report the broken amenity. [Learn more about the 311 system in this Signal Cleveland explainer.] For quick access, you can submit common park maintenance requests without a 311 account on the City of Cleveland website here.
You can also log in to the 311 digital portal for more details. Once logged in, find your specific request (i.e. “Broken Bench”) under the Services tab. You can track your open requests under the My Requests tab. Get help using 311 services here.
Don’t have online access? You can dial 311 or 216-664-2000 (24/7).
If your problem is not addressed by the Division of Park Maintenance, contact your Cleveland City Council member. Find your council member and their contact information here.
If you need help submitting a request for a broken park amenity, email the Cleveland Parks & Greenspace Coalition: parkscoalitioncle@gmail.com.
When do I contact the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects (MOCAP)?
Is there a larger improvement you want to see in your city park, such as new play equipment or a drinking fountain? The Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects (MOCAP) manages large park improvements, like the construction of a new park feature. Additionally, the Division of Park Maintenance may elevate issues they do not have the capacity to address to MOCAP.
Suggested Reading
MOCAP funds projects through a three-year general bonds cycle, so projects are often planned far in advance to ensure funding is available. Your city council member may also have funding available to support a MOCAP park improvement project.
Take a look at MOCAP’s current projects. If you would like to see a large improvement to your local park, begin by contacting your city council member and your local community development corporation — they can help elevate projects to MOCAP’s attention.
If you have more questions, you can reach out to: mocap@clevelandohio.gov. If you need additional assistance getting in contact with MOCAP, email: parkscoalitioncle@gmail.com.
Do you have a question about parks and greenspace in your community? Connect with the Parks and Greenspace Coalition and submit your question here.
You can learn more about the Trust for Public Land’s work in Ohio here.
