Cleveland Metroparks Unveils Plans for $15M Sailing Center Along Lake Erie
CLEVELAND, OH - Cleveland Metroparks has announced plans to build the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center at the East 55th Street Marina, with completion expected in 2026. The $15 million project, backed by local foundations, corporations, and private funders, will provide unprecedented public access to Lake Erie and offer year-round programs to break down barriers to the sport of sailing. It will be the first facility of its kind along Lake Erie in Ohio.
Named after Patrick S. Parker, former chairman and CEO of Parker Hannifin and a well-known sailor and philanthropist, the center is designed to be fully accessible, from adaptive equipment to wheelchair-compliant facilities. The center will include two new buildings offering indoor and outdoor community areas, dining, a rooftop deck, a boathouse, and an overlook tower. The Cleveland Foundry, a partner in the project, will provide STEM sailing programs to local schools and youth organizations, with lessons in sailing, racing, and water safety.
Brian Zimmerman, CEO of Cleveland Metroparks, emphasized the importance of this new facility in expanding access to the lakefront for all residents, particularly those from historically disconnected neighborhoods. "This state-of-the-art facility will be a beacon for inclusivity, equity, and access along our lakefront," Zimmerman said. He also pointed to the importance of the center’s location, which will connect the harbor to University Circle via the Mandel Community Trail.
The project reflects broader efforts to address the fact that over 90% of Lake Erie's shoreline within Cuyahoga County is privately owned, limiting access to residents. Dr. Jehuda Reinharz, president and CEO of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation, highlighted the center's role in breaking down physical, economic, and social barriers. "We are breaking down barriers to enhance the quality of life for our region, particularly in neighborhoods closest to the lakefront," Reinharz said.
The Parker Hannifin Corporation and Madeleine S. Parker, along with The Cleveland Foundry, the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, and other local donors, are leading the funding for the project. Jenny Parmentier, chairman of the board and CEO of Parker Hannifin, noted that this investment goes beyond recreation, helping to strengthen the local community through sailing. "This new innovative community asset has the potential to positively impact generations," Parmentier said.
The Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center will be more than just a recreation hub. It will serve as a community anchor for education, retail, and events, with a vision of transforming Cleveland into a leader in the sport of sailing. Programs at the center will be designed to reach underserved communities and make water-based recreation accessible to all.
Additional news coverage on this, from other local networks, can be found at the following sources:
Spectrum News 1, "Cleveland Metroparks, partners to open world-class sailing center in 2026," Available online.
Cleveland.com, "Cleveland Metroparks partners announce world-class community sailing center to open in 2026,". Available online.
NEO-Trans Blog, "Metroparks sailing center officially announced,". Available online.
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