Luke Easter Park

History and Origins

Luke Easter Park, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a significant urban green space spanning approximately 116 acres. Originally known as Woodland Hills Park, it was renamed in 1980 to honor Luscius "Luke" Easter, a former Cleveland Indians baseball player.

The park has a rich history dating back to 1900 when it was acquired by the City of Cleveland. It initially featured winding roads, two creeks, and several buildings, including a dance hall that was destroyed by fire in the late 1910s.

Early Development

In 1918, a portion of the park briefly served as an airport for about two years as part of an airmail route.

During the late 1920s and 1930s, Luke Easter Park was developed into Cleveland's largest recreational center. Many of its facilities were constructed in 1936 under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) program.

Modern Improvements

Over the years, the park has undergone various changes and improvements, including the replacement of the bathhouse and pool in the late 1960s and the reopening of a skating rink in 1979.

In 1997, the Zelma Watson-George Recreation Center opened on parkland along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, adding indoor facilities to the park's offerings. Named after former Broadway singer and Cleveland Job Corps director Zelma Watson-George, the center provides additional recreational options for park visitors.

Cultural Significance

The park holds cultural significance for Cleveland's African-American community, particularly residents of the adjacent Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

Since 1971, it has been the site of an annual Congressional District Caucus Parade and Picnic, drawing large crowds and political figures. The park also hosts Cleveland's yearly African-American Family Festival.