Best of Cleveland 2016: Outdoor Makeover

One of the city’s oldest areas is Cleveland’s newest attraction: Public Square. There’s so much to do — from relaxing on the green lawn or enjoying a concert to strolling along its winding cobblestone path or having a meal at Rebol cafe. “We wanted once again to make it a public square you arrived at and stayed,” says Veronica Rivera, who managed the project for landscape and urban design architect James Corner Field Operations. The 15-month, $50 million transformation of the square united what was four separate quadrants into a 6-acre park. It made big waves during July’s Republican National Convention as the epicenter for debates, protests and general gatherings. But Clevelanders have swarmed to the square since, and a day doesn’t go by without seeing kids playing in the splash pad water feature. “That’s the true pleasure for me,” says Rivera. “To see kids running around and families having a blast.” clevelandpublicsquare.com