Etheostoma Caeruleum

Not an excuse but this happens in many parks in many cities. Remember the old parma dude who was arrested last year for this same thing? It takes a strong park movement. If the edgewater had a conservancy (and I pray this post doesn't lead to someone add on with an even longer post) to help clean, coordinate park functions with the neighborhood and market the park that wouldn't happen or it would not be so obvious. A conservancy is good.. Friends of Edgewater is trying hard to make EP a better place by focussing on a cleaner park. However...(and this may be the rant you prayed would not happen!)...On the marketing comment.....trust me, Edgewater Park does not need any favors of "marketing" as it has a time enough already dealing with a percentage of unsavory activity there that could spoil the place. If you have ever worked in a state park/park district/metro-park district and had the tasks of cleaning up after visitors, you will eventually come to the conclusion that our park systems, short staffed as they are, have no business being in the hands of tourism bureaus which will over-promote a place to where the quality is severely underminded. Hawaii is having a big issue with this: the idea that you can "love a place to death" People who enjoy, respect and appreciate these parks will come and discover them, as it has been that way for years until recently.......those who will not, don't need baiting marketing campaigns that say "come one come all" (basically what Ohio Divsion of Parks has done...coupled with outside tourism bureaus as in Hocking Hills) What will happen is that a certain percentage of visitors who end up going will be pigs who leave their filthy mark on the park, pure and simple. Such, in the long run, costs these places in many ways including visually and financially. The visual part is the bigger issue to me because we end up ruining the very appeal that made the place worth visiting in the first place. We already have enough of that at Edgewater, (certain amount of pigs) we don't need to wave the marketing flag to attract more. Some things are just better off left off the market so we can learn how less can be more.

Love the tiny restroom in Guarinos... Almost designed for midgets! This place is also so very original...Not trying to go out of its way to be something special. The appeal and charm is implied and not forced, if that makes any sense.

Nice.. I agree with the power washer part. Its not that difficult and makes things look a lot nicer in the interim.

Very nice.. I could picture the mural hanging in the back with the department store tribute!

Two comments... Hessler street, although known well by students/locals in that area... I am surprised at how many are unaware of this cozy little area. Love that area...and Guarinos... Godfather-ish on the inside... Light and airy on the outside. It is a surprise if one has not walked out back to see.

^ Yes, a sort of way to describe graceful "hilliness" in contrast to stark and bold UP and DOWN. Just a way I heard it put many years ago by a Nature Conservancy worker. I liked it. The slopes/ gentle hills are sexy!

My vote: Cedar/Fairmount/Little Italy/Coventry/C.H.

We were discussing just that point....... However, look up-thread a bit and see why many do not think it makes sense to occupy such a space if the desire is not to be seen. If one wants privacy, don't move to a nudist colony.

Nice to hear...But again, we are hardly filling many quality retail spaces we already have. Will adding more just shift existing business, cancel out others, or remain empty until someone leases the space....

The C-field is an older building. The concept of the building was/is good. Street level business space, on site parking garage, pool, etc. I have done services in that building for what I do and it is not that bad from my perspective. I am sure there are some bad floors/units, but it does not seem as bad as what I am seeing here....BUT, I never lived there either. It appears to be well built, however with not paper thin walls. Again, I have not lived there. It seems generally well kept and I hope that management can improve this place because it is actually a full service style building built during the era of the "George Jefferson" type apartment buildings. Persoanlly I like these in the city. This is not an endorsement...But just an evaluation from having to go to the building a lot--and if there is something to complain about, I will find it. Garage kind of creepy...simple maintenance things could improve at first sight..hallways appeared clean. But, residents need to demand more and maybe some just don't care.

Had a small sweep last Saturday. Unfortunate last moment circumstances had me unable to attend and I humbly apologize, but will more than make up for it. Glad we have a core group of people out there who can pick up the slack when needed. There is also a public art competition for the park. I am trying to get some local artists to submit a design that entails some fantastic art featuring native Great lakes wildlife/aquatic life and lesser known and interesting species. The idea is to have a "do not litter our shoreline" message. In 2001 I worked with an artist from Ohio to produce a concept that paid homage to Ohio's natural aquatic heritage by showcasing extirpated fishes. The design served as a testament to what happens when water resources are abused. If you would like to see the design, simply go to http://www.nanfa.org/convention.shtml and scroll down to the 2001 Ohio Convention to see the design on T-shirts. I am wanting to inspire a similar design with a message and the new design will be with much color and class. Meanwhile......anyone interested.....The Sierra Club clean-up is Saturday June 12th from 10:00 am to noon. They meet at the lower pavilion for breakfast, normally there are about 20 people. Carol ward, the naturalist is normally there as a representative for CLSP. It is open to the public. Encouraging friends to attend is appreciated! That's all for now on updates on this thread.

^ True... I know its not anywhere near 9th, but just seems like an underrated neighborhood/area.

Will they sell anything for cooking? It would be nice to have the public be able to use this in some way as well by purchasing supplies.

^ Wow...very interesting and it would be nice. This is such a gorgeous area. The topography is perfect for bicycling. Great photo opportunities there too. One thing I want to mention as well. Not to far from here---about 40 minutes outside Public Square to be more detailed---about 12 years back, a hold out population of native Brook Trout was discovered in small tributary near a Geauga Park District park. What is so special about this? Well, for one thing, the species was thought to be extirpated from Ohio (meaning not extinct, but no longer found in Ohio)...2. This is one of the most gorgeous fishes you will ever see in the breeding year..and 3. it is so symbolic of remnants of wilderness Ohio and a clean water indicator species. part of Cleveland's regional unique natural heritage. Luckily, the effort by the park district and others bought this property and spared it from McMansion invasion that would have surely wiped out this treasure to be proud of. This is a protected species and off limits to fishing.

Too bad. A small store would have fit perfectly. Btw... I echo Lafont's sentiment. As much as I like this project....that window scene is a huge disappointment. I was expecting something that would add or exude lots of life. But, I guess its a dead subject now...just like the feeling the windows exude.

Is that City Wheels program still working? This may be an alternative for her than owning a car. http://www.mycitywheels.com/ Also, a good street near Cedar Fairmount is Overlook area right above the slope that goes down to Murray Hill/Little Italy.. Very good mix of residents, clean, safe, recycling!, easy walking or bike access to all the essentials and not far from the rapid line. The only thing that irritated me there was toe lawn maintenance swat team crews (apartment buildings)...but other than that... It was nice. Easy access to Lakeview Cemetery which is a great walking/jogging area. Oh, and then there is Parma... Let's not forget about that! :-D

As many times as I read threads like this... I see many good suggestions, but if someone wants to live within 10-15 minutes from ground zero, I rarely hear anything mentioned other than the usual places. Well, I would like to take a stab and recommend a part of town that is not all that bad. I know many here might think I am out of the ball park on this, but what about Newburgh Hts? Seriously, there are great metro-parks there, easy access to the center of town, and still many nice neighborhoods and streets. This may not be the first place anyone mentions, if ever, but I would like to see some suggestions to get people to discover other underrated and very livable parts of the city. I go through there quite a bit, in good areas, and I just wonder why it is never mentioned. At least I never see it mentioned. Today, I saw a park full of people playing volleyball, many bike riders, people walking... and all seemed peaceful. There is also a great rarely seen view of downtown Cleveland from the top of Independence Rd. looking downtown with the industrial hulks in the foreground. To me, its unique in its own way. (I don't suggest this part of Independence Rd, however!) Btw..whatever happened to Yellow Cab Company in Cleveland? They are still listed on the internet, but I never see them anymore.

^ Yes, this is why I actually find Parma/Hts...and in some parts, M.Burg Hts. similar in the independent or smaller business scene comforting. These areas in some ways still cling on to what beacons to a difinitive era for many of us. Not that I prefer sprawl type development in any way......But, I would take the 70's store selections anyday over the typical smorgasbord of today that has grown to totally obnoxious proportions...ie: the typical Wal-Mart as the center meal, flanked by Lowe's and an Applebee's as the side dishes. At least in these areas there was some diversity and identity in that respect, and not all the exact same thing you'd see in any other place like a lot of what is seen today. Expanding on Strap's and R&R's comments... I see the same, and I will lay a small bet that someday, Parma will actually become cool in the ways we've been discussing. It may appeal to those who remember the kinds of things that are featured in The Cleveland Memory Grenade. So, my vote would make it not a bad choice in many respects...Not my first, but not bad either for a place to locate and be close to all that the whole Cleveland area has to offer. Let's not forget about the nice metro-park running through it and its easy proximity to the airport. This is important to me because I feel more connected with the world.

I know what that this particular building is by an energy group. If you want me to get specific on the religion thing, then be prepared to get out the axe for sending it off topic, but just don't blame me. Maybe there is a different thread for that..but, my comment was in reference to someone mentioning how it would be good to see something like this on the parking lots on P.S. It was a joke in reference to the Oral Roberts comments as well. Sorry you didn't get it.

I am surprised a team this bad is even allowed to compete at the major level. It really is a minor league club stuck in the majors. It is really embarrassing to baseball. The lack of attendance (except these games) really shows that fans are tired of rewarding a bad product. They really are The Bad News Bears of the majors. As for the upgrades...they need to do something to get fans coming again and such will play on their curiosity. How about a new logo/uni-design that does not exude mostly what has been associated losing and laughter with the past? How about something that commands respect? Not all traditions are worth keeping. Oh.. I also have issues with the balloon releases on opening day. I will not spend a dime to watch this product anymore.

Want to see the dough roll in for something like this? Just appeal to the religious community and tell them that we are going to use it to pray for them and spread the mission....

^ Yes, that is the one I was referring to. You mean they only use one track now? How long has that been out of commission. We traveled from Cle. to San Fran via Chicago in '76... was it used then?

Comforting is a good way to put it as 327 describes. Sure the aluminum siding bungalows are nothing great, but with a little TLC some washing and a fresh coat of aluminum siding paint (maybe a nice earth tone and not the blaring white!)...a nice landscape..and you can make these places look cozy. The wood floors in many of these are nice and they're actually solidly built. Add some shade trees and you change the look. In other words, make lemonade from lemons and use the imagination. Make the place yours. You have a clean, comfortable place..safe neighborhoods with easy access to all parts of Greater Cleveland. I know we really want people to move back into the original core of the city...but at the same time I do not want the inner rings to become looking like crap because essentially, they are the gateway into "original Cleveland" and become what might be a first impression. Oh, and let's not forget "Forest City Auto Parts" and the sign with the guy with the long neck..the nerd. In some ways, Parma/Hts. is a sort of testament to what early sprawl was like when it was not all homogenized with nothing but national chains like Home Depot, Sprawl-Mart, etc... It is when you actually had a lot of larger but independently run and locally owned establishments, like Value City, Uncle Bills, Jerry's Marine, Builders Square, Silverman's, Rini-Rego's, and those kinds of places in addition to the many family style restaurants like George's Kitchen (Puritas-west side). Yes, to me, it is comforting. So, if you are say roughly...33 to 45... you may find a reason to smile about Parma. Say I'm crazy, but I can actually find appeal in the place.

^^ Yes, I may have to resort to a long hike! Btw...anyone know what were the tracks in the foreground of the photo where they are removed? Was this a passenger line?

A local legend/ghost story.... http://www.hauntedusa.org/melonhead.htm