Bay Village : Gathering by the Green
In the heart of Bay Village, a charming new park is helping residents slow down and connect. Completed in June 2024, the Village Green links City Hall, the public library, Lake Erie and local shops into one peaceful, picturesque gathering space. “It’s a lovely spot in a great area,” says Mayor Paul Koomar. “Really, it’s a beautiful space.” With its pergola, gardens and plenty of tables and chairs, the Village Green invites people to relax, eat lunch or simply enjoy the outdoors. A paved, ADA-friendly trail ties everything together, making it easy for residents to stroll from coffee shops to the lakefront. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the park comes alive with Food Truck Fridays, offering good eats, community fun and the occasional live music set.
Beachwood: A Playground with Purpose
The $3.2 million all-inclusive Beachwood Playground is more than just a place to play — it’s the heart of the community. Designed for kids of all ages and abilities, this vibrant space has quickly become a daily destination where families gather, laugh and connect. “It’s truly one of a kind in Northeast Ohio,” says Ben Lombardi, the city’s communications manager. To make it even more special, Beachwood hosts pop-up events like make-your-own sundae nights and cookie decorating, turning everyday afternoons into joyful community celebrations. “These types of amenities not only enhance residents’ quality of life but also play a key role in why people choose to live and stay in Beachwood,” Lombardi says. “They create gathering spaces that foster a sense of belonging, making the city even more attractive to new families and longtime residents alike.”
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Courtesy CentroVilla25
Clark-Fulton: CV25 Provides Vibe Anchor
CentroVilla25, a vibrant new marketplace on West 25th Street, is anchoring the Clark-Fulton neighborhood as Cleveland’s hub for Latin culture and entrepreneurship. Painted in bright colors and filled with the aromas of Latin American cuisine, CV25 brings together vendors representing Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela and beyond. The space, which soft-opened in January, is a $14 million project by the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development, led by Jenice Contreras. “There wasn’t any acknowledgement that Clark-Fulton has the largest density of Latino residents living in Cleveland,” says Contreras. Inspired by Minneapolis’ Mercado Central, she envisioned CV25 as a space where local entrepreneurs could thrive without being priced out. Once just a parking lot pop-up, CV25 now offers a permanent home to longtime vendors and new businesses alike. “It has a bigger impact,” Contreras says. “It creates a richness in our region to have this amazing cultural hub that everybody can enjoy.”
Mentor: Rocking Spirit
Mentor does not have a traditional Downtown, but Civic Center Park — and its state-of-the-art amphitheater — has become the city’s heart. Built in 2017, the Mentor Civic Amphitheater was designed to bring people together, and it’s doing just that. “Our goal is to create a space where members of our community can interact,” says Ante Logarusic, Mentor’s communications officer. With the free summer concert series, Mentor Rocks, the Amp hosts thousands of people for Tuesday nights filled with live music, food trucks and good vibes. Big-name acts like Gin Blossoms, LeAnn Rimes and Everclear have drawn crowds topping 119,000 in 2024. With two video boards and plenty of room, the 4-acre venue turns summer evenings into shared experiences.
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Courtesy Parma
Parma: A New Chapter at Golf Course
Parma is teeing up a community connection with a $12.3 million transformation of Ridgewood Golf Course. A new, 15,400-square-foot clubhouse and event center will replace the nearly century-old facility, offering not just golfers but everyone a place to gather and relax. “This is without question the most exciting thing we’ve had here in my lifetime,” says recreation director Mickey Vittardi, a lifelong resident who has served in the department for 38 years. Designed to showcase the course’s scenic ridge views, the new space features patios, a pavilion, indoor lounges and a pub and eatery open year-round. The event center will host up to 180 guests, and six golf simulators promise fun (and revenue) in every season. Inside, the facility will highlight the history of Ridgewood and Parma.
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Strongsville: A Town Center That Unites
Strongsville has transformed its civic core through the $6 million Town Center Enhancement & Walkability Initiative, turning 81 acres into a place where residents of all ages can connect. Completed in late 2024, the project added a fully ADA-compliant playground, an interactive splash pad, new trails and a pavilion designed for community events. “Our goal is to create quality of life amenities that are leveraged by local businesses for workforce retention and attraction, and that bring families, senior residents and residents with disabilities together,” says Brent Painter, Strongsville’s economic development director. New walkways now connect the library, recreation center and Strongsville Commons — home to events like the Homecoming Festival and Winter Wonderland.
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