Lucky Park becomes official Tremont park 

Lucky Park on Professor and Starkweather avenues, in the Tremont neighborhood, has been sold to the city of Cleveland. The Tremont West Development Corporation will maintain the park. The parkland was purchased from Saint Theodosius Orthodox Christian Cathedral, which is located down the road on Starkweather Avenue.

The green space has been a community park for years, owned by Saint Theodosius and maintained by the South Jefferson Block Club. The park is the size of a city lot with perennial gardens, a mural, a walkway, a bench, picnic tables and many trees. It’s a hangout spot where the South Jefferson Block Club held meetings. 

The Saint Theodosius Cathedral council was interested in selling the property, but wanted to ensure the land would remain a green space for the community. The council contacted the Tremont West Development Corporation to facilitate a sale to the city of Cleveland. The initial plans were set into place before the Cathedral sustained a structure fire. The sale of the property will help the cathedral rebuild. 

Julie Dahlhausen, executive director of Tremont West Development Corporation, says, “The city of Cleveland’s acquisition of the final parcel at Lucky Park is such a meaningful step for our neighborhood. Green spaces like this are essential to the fabric of our urban village, giving neighbors a place to connect and enjoy the outdoors together. Tremont West is proud to continue caring for the park, and with [additional] funding, we’ll be making improvements this fall to keep Lucky Park a welcoming space for all.”

Tremont West Development Corporation was awarded a Steelyard TIF grant from  Cleveland for placemaking and economic development. Dahlhausen reports that the grant will be used to reinvest in the park for beautification and maintenance. The space will get new picnic tables and benches as well as new, updated signage. Additionally, the walkways will be refinished. There are firefly lights in the trees that need repairing. The original local craftsman artist who installed the lights, Dean Guernsey of Dynamic Signs, will do the work. She says the work should conclude by the end of November 2025.

Green spaces are important to neighborhoods and their residents. Scientific studies have found that people who live in areas with more public green space have better mental health, reduced depression and anxiety, and greater well-being. Parks can also be havens for wildlife, such as birds and pollinators. Neighborhoods with fewer impervious surfaces also produce less stormwater. Parks are meant to be places where neighbors gather and relax, which builds community.

The City of Cleveland owns and maintains 161 parks, including the Highland Park Golf Course, the Camp Forbes residential camp, 20 recreation centers, the Cudell Fine Arts Center at Cudell Commons, and the Halloran Skating Rink at Halloran Park. 

The future of Lucky Park was in question in 2021. Residents and businesses rallied around the park and worked together to ensure that the property remained a public green space. With this new owner and investment, Lucky Park will remain a Tremont institution.