Luke Easter Park

A Piece of Cleveland's History

Tucked away in Cleveland, Ohio lies Luke Easter Park, a sprawling 116-acre green oasis with a story to tell. Back in the day (we're talking 1900), this was known as Woodland Hills Park until 1980 when it was renamed to honor Luscius "Luke" Easter, a beloved Cleveland Indians baseball player.

When the City of Cleveland first acquired this land, it featured winding roads, two creeks, and several buildings - including a dance hall that unfortunately went up in flames in the late 1910s.

From Airplanes to Recreation

Here's a fun fact: in 1918, part of the park briefly transformed into an airport for about two years as part of an airmail route. Talk about a career change!

The late 1920s and 1930s saw the park evolve into Cleveland's largest recreational center. Many of the facilities you'll see today were built in 1936 under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) program - a little piece of New Deal history right in Cleveland.

Growing with the Times

Over the decades, the park has continuously evolved. The late 1960s brought a new bathhouse and pool, while 1979 saw the skating rink reopen for community enjoyment.

A significant addition came in 1997 with the opening of the Zelma Watson-George Recreation Center along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Named after a former Broadway singer and Cleveland Job Corps director, this center added valuable indoor facilities to complement the park's outdoor offerings.

What You'll Find There

The park offers recreational options including baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. If you're more into casual activities, you'll appreciate the multiple walking trails and open grassy areas that seem to stretch forever.

Planning a gathering? The park offers numerous pavilions and picnic areas scattered across the grounds, great for family reunions or community events. Note that bringing tablecloths is a good idea, as the picnic tables may need a quick wipe-down before use.

Kids will make a beeline for the playground with its swings and slides, while public restrooms are conveniently located in both the recreation center building and near the track field. And don't forget about the skating rink - another great option for active fun.

A Cultural Cornerstone

More than just a place for recreation, the park holds deep cultural significance for Cleveland's African-American community, especially for those living in the adjacent Mount Pleasant neighborhood.

Since 1971, it has hosted the annual Congressional District Caucus Parade and Picnic, drawing crowds and political figures alike. It's also home to Cleveland's yearly African-American Family Festival and has been the backdrop for countless community celebrations for decades.

Where Community Happens

Luke Easter Park functions as a gathering space for both the Kinsman neighborhood and the greater Cleveland area. Its generous grounds can accommodate several hundred people for large events, with plenty of room for tents, food vendors, and performance stages.

From family reunions to community cookouts and holiday celebrations like Easter events, the park's calendar stays busy year-round. There's even a senior program offering recreational activities for older community members.