Cleveland parks staff report repeated vandalism, propose cameras and master plan; board reviews nonprofit rental policy

Cleveland Parks Board members heard updates on repeated vandalism at city parks and discussed security, a master plan and a proposed administrative nonprofit/in-kind rental policy during a meeting where staff also asked the board for direction on several upcoming projects.

Parks staff reported multiple vandalism incidents across Campbell Park, Samuel Waller Park, Old City Park and the municipal ballpark. "This last time, they actually tore up the splash pad push button, to break down the door to the controls for the splash pad. We did put a temporary sheet metal up," said Mister Wallace, Parks staff, describing damage to splash-pad controls and other recurring destruction. Wallace said crews have repeatedly cleaned up burned or painted areas and that staff are collecting quotes to install cameras to help identify vandals.

Wallace told the board he has gathered combined quotes for repairs and upgrades across several parks and that the total was "roughly combined. It was, like, $400,000." He said staff will provide a written breakdown of recommended work and individual quotes before the next meeting so board members can review options and advise how to proceed.

Board members asked about enforcement and funding. One board member asked whether the city has increased patrols; Wallace said police checks have been "hit and miss" and that staff are exploring camera systems that do not require Wi‑Fi as well as options that would. Another board member asked whether grants are available; staff replied they are "looking" into grant funding.

In specific park maintenance plans, Wallace said staff will remove two deteriorated playground units at the green side of Samuel Waller Park and intends to add equipment on the Charles Barker side. He also said the pavilion on the MLK side will be refurbished and that staff plan to rework a sandbox area (removing old sand, adding landscaping fabric, then new sand) to reduce grass intrusion and maintenance.

Staff also described next steps on planning: the department is soliciting three proposals to produce a parks master plan or strategic plan and is seeking a separate quote for renovation work at Stansell Park. Wallace said staff will circulate the quotes and project lists to board members ahead of the next meeting so the board can discuss priorities.

Separately, Miss Ashley, Parks staff, presented proposed changes to nonprofit and in‑kind rental rates and asked the board to review a draft administrative policy before staff take it to the city council for adoption. "We are wanting to take this before the parks board first to see if there's any type of recommendations from you all that you might want to see within the in kind as well as the nonprofit rental policies," Ashley said. The draft would move recurring interlocal and in‑kind arrangements (for example, a school or ROTC group receiving a waived rental fee in exchange for community service hours) into an administrative policy so those agreements do not have to be routed to the city council every time.

Ashley and staff said contracted youth leagues and existing interlocal agreements (for example, with local baseball or football organizations) would remain governed by their current contracts and rates, while the administrative policy would clarify standard nonprofit and in‑kind rates and provide a template for in‑lieu service arrangements.

Miss Mary, Cleveland Public Library librarian, briefly noted library programming and an upcoming site visit by the Family Place Library program; library items were presented as separate agenda updates but tie into overall city event planning and park programming.

Next steps identified by staff: provide a written, line‑item quote for park repair and security-camera options before the next Parks Board meeting; solicit three proposals for a parks master plan; and refine the nonprofit/in‑kind rental administrative policy before submission to the February city council meeting.

Votes and formal actions taken at the meeting were limited to routine meeting business: the board approved minutes from the Oct. 28 meeting and later adjourned the meeting.