Accessibility to Lake Erie has been a lingering issue for some Clevelanders, with disparities often falling along racial or socioeconomic lines. Yet, Cleveland Metroparks is charting a new course on the lakefront through inclusive sailing opportunities.
In early September, the park system announced plans for the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center on the site of the E. 55th Street Marina. The $15 million center, billed as the first of its kind along Lake Erie, will serve as an easy-access sailing hub and multi-purpose learning space, said Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman.
“It’s about setting classes up for people to learn to sail,” Zimmerman said. “They will learn how to rig a boat, how to tack (a maneuver that turns a craft’s bow through the wind), and all the different sailing terms. We want to break down barriers and show you don’t need a boat to sail on Lake Erie.”
The two facilities comprising the center will feature a boathouse, rooftop deck, overlook tower, concessions and indoor and outdoor community areas. Groundbreaking is anticipated before the end of year, with construction slated to finish by Memorial Day 2026. The center is also designed to meet all ADA accessibility standards, the Metroparks said.
A welcoming sailing hub would not be complete without an educational component to support it, added Zimmerman. To that end, the center will host year-round STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming led by The Cleveland Foundry, a project partner and regional rowing and sailing nonprofit. Youth- and community-focused instruction will encompass sailing basics, safety classes and additional hands-on instruction.
“The Foundry’s mission is to make rowing and sailing programs accessible, remove financial and experiential barriers, and build a community that can fully embrace our great lakefront,” said Foundry Executive Director Gina Trebilcock in a press release.
The facility is named after Patrick S. Parker, the former CEO of Parker Hannifin and an avid sailor. The manufacturing company is an additional community partner alongside Madeleine S. Parker, Cleveland Foundry, and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation. Zimmerman highlighted the scientific aspects of sailing – physics, fluid dynamics, and meteorology – as potential inspirations for youth interested in STEM fields.
“I hope young people who come through (the center) get inspired for a career at a company like Parker Hannifin,” Zimmerman said.
Cleveland’s forthcoming sailing outpost is billed as a regional anchor for sporting events, marina operations and unique dining experiences. Facility plans have been in the offing for five years – as about 90% of the shoreline is privately owned, many Clevelanders have never enjoyed any form of water-based recreation, noted Zimmerman.
Fostering that relationship now means creating a tangible connection between residents and the lakefront, Zimmerman said. Through its location along the Mandel Community Trail – currently under construction on North Marginal Road from East 9th to East 55th streets – the center will link the City of Cleveland’s harbor to University Circle.
What’s more, the facility can be a complimentary piece to local yacht clubs and a pair of public marinas. Ideally, the center will be part of a broader support network that benefits historically marginalized communities near Lake Erie – such inclusivity is vital for one of Northeast Ohio’s most valuable natural resources, said Zimmerman.
“This world-class sailing facility can help lead the way on lakefront development,” Zimmerman said. “This is something that can connect the community to sailing, and become a great legacy.”
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