CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks along with its partners unveiled plans Wednesday to open a community world-class sailing center, aimed at increasing lakefront access for residents and breaking down barriers to the sport.

What You Need To Know

  • The Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center will be the first of its kind along Lake Erie in Ohio, the metroparks said in the release

  • The center is named after Patrick S. Parker, the former chairman and CEO of Parker Hannifin, who was an avid sailor and Cleveland philanthropist

  • The center will be open year-round, and officials hope for it to become a lakefront destination for education, retail, recreation and dining, as well as sporting and community events

The Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center will be the first of its kind along Lake Erie in Ohio, the metroparks said in the release. The $15 million center will provide sailing opportunities and public access, with the help of the Parker Hannifin Corporation and Madeleine S. Parker, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation and The Cleveland Foundry.

The center is named after Patrick S. Parker, the former chairman and CEO of Parker Hannifin, who was an avid sailor and Cleveland philanthropist. The center will be made up of two facilities, which will include indoor and outdoor community areas, dining, a rooftop deck, overlook tower, a boathouse and more. It'll also be ADA accessible, the metroparks said. 

 

“We are thrilled to announce the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center, which will redefine access to our lakefront and open new recreation and educational opportunities for everyone in our community,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman in a release. “This state-of-the-art facility will be a beacon for inclusivity, equity and access along our lakefront, and build on our ongoing collective efforts to serve east side communities, including the CHEERS project, Mandel Community Trail and enhancements to Gordon Park South.” 

Additionally, the center will be open year-round, and officials hope for it to become a lakefront destination for education, retail, recreation and dining, as well as sporting and community events. Officials also said the center will host public programs, in hopes of breaking down cost barriers to those who couldn't participate in the sport of sailing before. 

“The Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center will allow residents of our hometown to access new recreational opportunities, build skills and connect with our region’s lakefront,” said Jenny Parmentier, chairman of the board and CEO of Parker Hannifin Corporation in a release. “This investment is also about strengthening our community through participation in the sport of sailing, something Parker Hannifin has a strong connection to dating back to the son of our founder and former Chairman Pat Parker. This new innovative community asset has the potential to positively impact generations.”

Set to be built in the E. 55th Street marina, the center will connect the City of Cleveland's harbor to the cultural hub of University Circle because of its location along the Mandel Community Trail, which is being constructed along North Marginal Road from E. 9th to E. 55th streets, the metroparks explained. 

The metroparks said despite being minutes from Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, many residents haven't experienced direct water-based recreation since more than 90% of the shoreline is privately owned with no access.  

“Lake Erie is one of our greatest regional assets and this innovative effort is a continuation of our recent investments to strengthen community connections and opportunity along our lakefront,” said Jehuda Reinharz, president and CEO of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation in a release. “Together, we are breaking down physical, economic and social barriers to enhance the quality of life for our region, particularly in our neighborhoods closest to the lakefront who have been historically disconnected.”

In addition, the sailing center will provide year-round STEM programming for schools and community partnership organizations through the Cleveland Foundry. The programs will include helping youth how to sail, how to race, sailing basics and more.  

“The Foundry’s mission is to make rowing and sailing programs accessible, remove financial and experiential barriers and build a community that can fully embrace our great lakefront,” said Foundry Executive Director Gina Trebilcock in a release.

The center is set to be completed in 2026.