A bit of news that anyone who enjoys the Clark Fields — whether that’s softball leagues, Cleveland Plays, fans of the dog park, or directors of Major League — should know about and celebrate: The long process of acquiring the funds and nailing down designs for the rebuild of the park is finally over. Come March, the massive $2.8 million construction process will begin that will entail a total makeover that will include new baseball fields, a new playground, a new dog park and even more that might have flown under the radar. Remember, or learn for the first time, that this dream began back in 2001.

“It will also incorporate the Towpath Trail, which will pass through it,” says councilman Joe Cimperman. “And the city realized awhile ago that it had the potential to add 8 acres to the park, from a vacated cement plan that’s right next to it, right by the Clark Ave. bridge ramp down toward the Steelyard. That purchase went through about a year and a half ago and we’re not sure what we’ll do with it yet, but it’ll be part of the park.”

There have been longstanding EPA issues on the land, but Cimperman says it’s not anything you wouldn’t find at any other city park — some lead, etc. — and that the rebuild will include digging almost everything out of the park, which will give them a chance to either add a cap or bring in fresh soil.

Those old enough to remember the Clark Fields for what they used to mean — burning cars, dead bodies, drugs, generic crime — know what a long way it’s come since then. Cimperman credited the dog park with really changing the environment. “It was the first dog park in the city and it was at a time when the idea of dog parks were still controversial,” he says.

And speaking of dogs: The Cleveland dog kennels, for anyone who’s been through them, are currently and have been in poor shape for quite awhile. Those will be on the move too in conjunction with the park project. The new kennels will be located on W. 80th and Detroit. Construction on that project will probably not start for another year, which means we’re two years out from a proper facility for the pups, but that should be welcome news.

Cimperman says that a public meeting on the Clark Field renovations to discuss the rebuild and answer public questions — what portions of the park will be open during construction? etc. — will be held sometime in the middle of February. He also said, in a very Cimperman way, that construction should begin by St. Joseph’s day (March 19.)

“It’ll be a pain in the ass for this year,” he says. “But by this time next year, it’ll be ready to go and amazing.”

This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2015.

Vince Grzegorek has been with Scene since 2007 and editor-in-chief since 2012. He previously worked at Discount Drug Mart and Texas Roadhouse.

9 replies on “Clark Fields to Get Total Rebuild Starting in Spring; Cleveland Dog Kennels to Move to Detroit-Shoreway”

  3. Hmmmm. The city has no money for employee raises even though 750 firefighters are doing 75,000 runs compared to (in 2000) 1050 firefighters doing 50,000 runs. Closing 20% of the firehouses and not hiring until the average age of firefighters was over 51.

    But there is money for a 45 million park in front of the casino and new Clark fields and millions in other facelifts. Don’t get me wrong, I think these things are great.

    But I think this money came from screwing city employees out of cost of living increases.

  4. Great news about a new dog kennel. Is the field going to be shut down and surrounded by a Gestapo fence like WCReed field that has now been turned into a treeless swamp by the EPA. Lucky Clark Field to have a councilman who cares. And one who does not wildly exaggerate the non existent dangers of “toxic”soil 4 feet down in order to legitimize the destruction of our once beautiful park. Our park has been closed for 3 years and counting, with huge cost over runs which are being withheld from the public.. Thanks to Brian Cummins.

  7. It sounds like a great undertaking, worth putting some serious efforts and funds in. I hope it would be accomplished as planned and succeed in amusing its visitors. It really is a great news. Thumbs up. Regards, Amber Collins

  8. So here it is August 26. Spring and St. Joseph’s day are distant memories and nothing is happening down in Clark Fields. There was one public meeting in February and since then???? So what about the much hyped makeover, with the claim of minimal involvement from the EPA (and why NOT the park is full of lead, arsenic and who knows what else)? The grass is being cut, but the ball diamonds weren’t used all summer. The kiddie park has more graffiti and almost no kids for good reason. Lead.
    Where are the soil sample results which were done with tax dollars and are being kept top secret. The EPA is wrapping up its destruction of WC Reed Fields. They should be free to turn their tanks over to Clark Fields. Soon

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