The Cultural Gardens Foundation objects to the redevelopment of Doan Brook, this is thier letter.

 

 

The Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation’s opposition to the existing Doan Brook Renovation plan is based on the following:

 

1. The project is being carried out to compensate for the loss of a natural watershed that occurred as part of the expansion of Cleveland Hopkins Airport.  This will be accomplished by returning the Doan Brook in Rockefeller Park to a more natural state, without any consideration given to the adverse impact that this will have on its infrastructure, historic features or function as a public park.

 

2. The Adverse Effect Analysis performed as part of the section 106 process identifies 12 major adverse effects that this project will have on the Park and Gardens. It summarizes the overall impact as creating “a more rough appearance reminiscent of a nature preserve.”

 

3. Hydrosphere Engineering carried out an evaluation of the Stream Renovation Proposal and stated the following;  “ There is a definite possibility that this experimental channel restoration will not work as designed.  The land dedicated to the Cultural Gardens could be irreparably eroded.”  The report goes on to even recommend a long-term performance bond, which would be required to repair the banks because the cost would certainly exceed the financial resources of the City of Cleveland.

 

The report makes the following points regarding the goals of the proposal:

 

a. This plan utilizes methods that have been extensively used on streams and rivers that are not within urbanized watersheds.  In the few cases that urbanized watersheds were involved the results were mixed.  Some failed within a few years after construction.  There is not adequate data regarding long-term outcomes.

 

b. The stated reduction in flooding will be as much as 2 feet in certain areas. According to the independent analysis, this is not possible, and that even 2 and 1/2 inches would be an accomplishment. Flooding can still occur even if the project is completed as designed.

 

c. The project will result in improved water quality.  According to the independent analysis the proposed restoration project will do nothing to reduce contamination.  "The claim that the water quality will improve is at best wishful thinking."

 

d. The independent analysis cites Kenneth Brown at the Center for Watershed Protection in Maryland, stating that the proposed restoration project of Doan Brook in Rockefeller Park is exactly the type of project he warns against because of the significant risk of failure and lack of long-term data.

 

4. The stone retaining walls along the brook have stopped erosion for over 70 years and are a unique and beautiful design feature of Rockefeller Park.  Over 50% of the retaining walls in the Park will be removed by the existing plan. Not one penny will be spent on repairing the walls that are left behind.  Without routine maintenance these walls will also eventually collapse.  There is no provision for removal of trees that are close to the walls that will remain. These trees will accelerate destabilization of the walls as their roots push through the mortar joints.

 

5. According to the Section 106 Adverse Impact Analysis, over 11 acres of lawn that would typically be used for recreational purposes will be lost to regrading  of the Doan Brook Stream bed.  Over 14 acres of lawn will be replaced with naturalistic vegetation and trees to create more of a woodland type effect.  As a result the Park will lose one third of its lawn space. This will greatly diminish the function of the area as a public park.

 

6. Many of the open views of the Park and Gardens along MLK, the Harrison Dillard bike and walking paths will be eventually blocked by the plantings along the regarded brook as they mature.  This will not only detract from the beauty of the park, but it will also create substantial security issues because of poor visibility.

 

7. The FAA states that it has no further financial obligation to the project in the event of unanticipated cost overruns or structural failure.

 

In summary, the proposed changes to the Doan Brook in Rockefeller Park will;

 

1. Irreparably damage its historic features

 

2. Diminish its use as a public park.

 

3. Jeopardize the future of an invaluable resource of the City of Cleveland and a unique national landmark.

 

Rockefeller Park is Cleveland’s "Central Park."  Rockefeller Park and its Cultural Gardens clearly represent one of this City’s most important and unique assets.  In the past several years we have seen a renewed interest in the Park and Gardens as evidenced by an increased use of the park for recreation and special events as well as a significant commitment of funds from individual nationality groups toward the restoration of their gardens. With the proper long-term planning and funding the Park and Gardens could be fully restored to their former glory.  In addition to preserving its function as a grand public park, this unique cultural resource could significantly contribute to the evolution of University Circle into the cultural and educational Mecca that is currently envisioned.

 

The Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation proposes the following:

 

Replace the existing Doan Brook Renovation plan for one that places priority on historic preservation of the Park and Gardens and one that will maintain Rockefeller Park as a public park.  Adopt a plan that will realize the full potential of one of Cleveland’s greatest cultural resources.

 

A. Restore the masonry retaining walls to permanently eliminate long-term erosion and to preserve a unique and beautiful design feature of the Park.

 

B. Restore the historic stone bridges.

 

C. Remove trees along the brook that may, by their proximity, destabilize the retaining walls.

 

D. Restore open lawn spaces in the Park to facilitate recreational use by the community.

 

E. Remove dense underbrush and trees as necessary to restore open views through out the Park, to enhance appearance and eliminate security issues associated with decreased visibility.

 

F. Establish a PROPERLY funded long-term maintenance plan that will prevent the gradual deterioration of the natural and historic features of the Park that we are currently faced with.

 

G. Establish the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, a unique national landmark, as the National Peace and Cultural Gardens.

 

H. Create an organization to manage the Park and Gardens exclusively.  This could take the form of a public-private partnership similar to the Central Park Conservancy, through which the Conservancy manages Central Park under contract with New York City’s parks department.  This same model could also apply if Rockefeller Park and its Cultural Gardens became part of the National Parks.

 

 

 

 

wow, they aren't happy, i'm glad they are speaking up

 

regardless, i know case wanted to open up the brook in its section of land; the brook runds roughly underneath MLK Drive in University circle.........

 

 

Hmmm... I think I have to side with the cultural gardens on this one.  They are far to unique to risk for a stream restoration.  Rockefeller Park is supposed to be a classic landscape park, which includes the masonry retaining walls.  And I don't know how they will regrade without scarring the landscape for at least a decade, especially when you consider that the walls of the ravine can get very close to the brook at points.  I guess I'd have to see the plan itself.

I didnt read any of the above but I am sure it was intresting, good find.  I like the cultural gardens.

Indian community will plant its pride in Cultural Gardens

Friday, April 22, 2005

It's been 20 years since a new cultural group added its flag and heritage emblems to Cleveland's civic trophy case, the Cultural Gardens in Rockefeller Park. This spring, the Asian Indian community plans to end the drought.

 

The India Cultural Garden received its building permit from City Hall last week, clearing the way for a new garden next to the Finnish Cultural Garden on the west side of Martin Luther King Boulevard.

 

The Hindu-inspired design calls for flower beds, stoneworks, a Mahatma Gandhi statue and steps leading down to Doan Brook, just as steps lead to many rivers in India.

 

Alas, the plans outshine finances. A garden committee from the Federation of India Community Associations has raised about $40,000 for a garden expected to cost about $200,000. Also, the community must coordinate its project with Cleveland's plans to naturalize and reroute Doan Brook.

 

Rather than wait, the garden committee decided to push ahead in three phases. Groundbreaking for phase one - a walkway, stone pillars and flowers - is scheduled for May 22.

 

For a peek at the garden to come, go to www.fica-cleveland.org.

 

 

Great find on the CGF objection and the FICA plans for a new garden...

 

I was excited, initially, when I heard about this project to restore the brook, but I've heard so much dissention that I'm starting to think that somebody didn't do their job right when they went to work on the studies.  I know there was an international design competition a few years back that brought a lot of attention to the project.  This is where my interest and excitement came from.  However, I don't actually know what the final plans entail. 

 

My impression was that there was going to be a focus on opening up parts of the brook that had been buried under the maze of roads and greenery that make up University Circle.  Is this still part of the plan?  I thought it would be an interesting way to bring more clarity and legibility to the Circle by providing a geographic feature that you could follow along on foot or on a map. 

 

I'm very interested to see more...

I don't think so.  The believe the plan is to de-culvert the area that is already open (i.e.- remove one side of the landscape walls from the stream along most of its length) and to introduce, where possible, wetlands along the stream.  I still haven't seen the full plan, however, so I am not exactly sure how this will all work in practice.

Indian Cultural Gardens renderings (from the Landmarks Commission website):

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/03-10-2005.htm#

 

Click "Photo Gallery"

 

BTW, this is an awesome website that has renderings of a lot of planned projects. (not that anyone here is interested in that)

 

 

Interesting link to the Landmarks Commission page! Never knew the graphics of all these proposed projects were online!

 

KJP

wow, what a site.  this will give us stuff to look at every two weeks or so.  Looks like the Chicle site will undergo a huge improvement.

Guys, this is why the pope called me a dork - because I posted a lot of renderings from that site. You can also go to the Board of Zoning Appeals site (also on the city planning site) and go through the past few years of proposals. It includes little things like Joe Schmoe wanting to add a fence to signage to re-zoning requests for major projects.

 

These are my tax dollars at work  :clap:

Here's a pretty comprehensive site by the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership:

 

www.doanbrook.org

 

and a map of the watershed from their site:

There are several Cultural Garden threads here - this seemed like the best place to post this. If not feel free to move it. Or create the "Great Cleveland Cultural Gardens" thread.

 

Anyway, this is really crappy.

 

 

Metal thieves hit Slovak, Hungarian Cultural Gardens

Posted by Jesse Tinsley

May 06, 2007 14:39PM

 

 

 

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens - so much a part of the city's history and a reflection of its ethnic diversity - is desperately struggling to recover cherished artifacts stolen over the weekend from the sprawling Rockefeller Park.

 

Two bronze busts, one from the Hungarian garden and another from the Slovak garden, were reportedly stolen from the park Friday night, according to according to David Dusek, a delegate for the Cultural Gardens...

 

more at: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/05/metal_thieves_hit_slovak_hunga.html

^That's really sad.  It also happened to the Slovenian gardens at some point (at least 15-20 years ago I think).  All of the statues were stolen back then.  Only recently has enough money been raised to begin replacing them. 

There are several Cultural Garden threads here - this seemed like the best place to post this. If not feel free to move it. Or create the "Great Cleveland Cultural Gardens" thread.

 

Great point.  Here are the Cultural Garden threads that I found in a quick search.

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2106.0

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=10558.0

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=9422.0

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=9549.0 (more of a Rockefeller Park thread)

this is a damn shame! I'm sure this will only translate into "Cleveland isn't safe".  I hope the vandals are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  then as a part of their rehabilitation, they should be made to clean and maintain the gardens!

Over the past two years, the Cultural Garden Federation has been replacing some of the busts that have been stolen over the past few decades. They've been using a composite material that looks like bronze, but its worthless if you melt it down. Its also much cheaper to make. Check out the German garden for some examples of this.

^Interesting, I don't remember hearing that the Slovenian garden, but I'm sure they did the same thing there.

this is a damn shame! I'm sure this will only translate into "Cleveland isn't safe".   I hope the vandals are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  then as a part of their rehabilitation, they should be made to clean and maintain the gardens!

 

I hope not! It seems like every year a suburban brat vandalizes a cemetary somewhere!

This must be very disheartening to the volunteer groups that work to develop and maintain the cultural gardens.  The best thing to counteract this would be a show of support from the public for the gardens of some sort.

this is a damn shame! I'm sure this will only translate into "Cleveland isn't safe".   I hope the vandals are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  then as a part of their rehabilitation, they should be made to clean and maintain the gardens!

 

I hope not! It seems like every year a suburban brat vandalizes a cemetary somewhere!

 

True, but in the burbs its covered up.  This is in the city proper and a landmark.

I am on the board of the slovenian cultural gardens. We anticipate to have another bust up within the next year. We actually mounted are first bust up 5 more feet in the air,to deter robbers. Kinda hard to steal something when  its 9 feet in the air.

 

 

 

Wow. This is good news. What a relief.

Bust made over stolen busts

Posted by Jim Nichols

May 09, 2007 19:57PM

 

The reappearance of two bronze busts recently stolen from the Cleveland Cultural Gardens has led to a bust of another kind, and a warrant for a second.

 

Authorities arrested a West Side man Tuesday and hunted for his brother Wednesday night on charges that the two stole the statues from pedestals in the Hungarian and Slovak gardens in Rockefeller Park...

Wow, if your going to steal a city treasure...don't try and sell it back to that city.  Either way, I don't have the sick feeling in my stomach anymore, and this is great news!

 

Now the next step...what can be done to prevent this in the future?

 

1)  Don't put the orignal back on the monuments? (Sad, but it may have to be an option)

2)  Somehow establish video camera/motion sensors (where the lights come on and police are notified) around each monument?

3)  Mount the orignal bust much more securely?

4)  Have a button to "release the hounds?" (idea from Simpsons)

 

EDIT: Pic from Cleveland.com

 

Man who stole busts from Cultural Gardens avoids prison

Posted by Jim Nichols July 19, 2007 11:52AM

Categories: Breaking News, Crime

 

 

A drug addict who stole two historic bronze busts from the Cleveland Cultural Gardens begged for and received drug treatment instead of prison time today, but a judge ordered him to pay for the recovered busts' re-installation.

 

Donald Blevins, 28, of Cleveland, told Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Stuart Friedman that his 73 days in jail helped him finally see he had lost everything because of his addiction...

He should fry! 

 

The gardens are one of our finest cultural institutions.

 

I say throw his butt in jail NOW!

It would seem like community service spent helping to maintain the Cultural Gardens would be just.

I like the hounds idea.

 

Now a days the bust are put on more securely.The Slovenian Cultural  Garden just put one in,the pedestal is I think 9 feet high

Cleveland Cultural Gardens seeking 'National Monument' designation

 

Paul Thomas 

Created: 7/19/2007 7:52:53 PM

Updated:7/20/2007 10:00:42 AM

WKYC.com

 

CLEVELAND -- Is it a national treasure, or a favorite spot for vandals in thieves?

The Cultural Gardens in the heart of Cleveland has been both. But there is a plan to restore the gardens, founded in 1916, to their former glory.

 

Dr. George Parras, President of the Cultural Gardens Federation, says the group is working with the National Parks Service to have the 50-acre site designated as a national monument.

 

One criteria in the selection of national monuments is the significance and common bond they formed for all Americans. "The gardens are a powerful symbol of peace and brotherhood," Parras said.

 

Decades ago, the Cultural Gardens had an international reputation. Following World War II, the Cultural Gardens hosted "World Day" events.

 

But the park, with more than two dozen nationalities represented, has fallen on hard times recently. Thieves have stolen shrubs, flowers and bronze statues from the gardens.

 

Thursday, Donald Blevins of Cleveland was sentenced to probation and 250 hours of community service work at the gardens for his role in stealing and selling two statues.

 

But George Terbrack, who has spent hours working in the Slovak garden Blevins vandalized is hopeful for the National Monument designation. "It might be the most viable way to preserve this area for future generations."

 

whoo  hooo!!!  GREAT!!

 

if they are designated as a national monument they would have security! 

extended video from the above story here:

http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=39259&bw=

 

they manage to highlight all the negatives of the gardens (except they forgot to mention the packs of wild dogs), with relatively little about their beauty.  Suprise, surprise! 

 

They end on a positive note, however, citing that if National Landmark status is attained, new funding streams would be available.  Interesting.

I would like to kick this reporter in the ass. Internationaly there is more international money in the garden than the

City coffer I bet.

 

 

this again is where UO can help change the "common" perception. 

 

Edsiou or anyone else, would you like to auther a letter post  it here explaining how they could have presented the story differently?

 

then individually we can add our own experiences about the garden.

this again is where UO can help change the "common" perception. 

 

Edsiou or anyone else, would you like to auther a letter post  it here explaining how they could have presented the story differently?

 

then individually we can add our own experiences about the garden.

 

In reality an foriegn ambasador gets an National airiline to sponsor a garden within the cultural garden.The one garden I am a little disappointed in its progresss.is the african american garden. I wonder if so callled King James would give a pittance towards this cause

this again is where UO can help change the "common" perception. 

 

Edsiou or anyone else, would you like to auther a letter post  it here explaining how they could have presented the story differently?

 

then individually we can add our own experiences about the garden.

 

In reality an foriegn ambasador gets an National airiline to sponsor a garden within the cultural garden.The one garden I am a little disappointed in its progresss.is the african american garden. I wonder if so callled King James would give a pittance towards this cause

 

With the AA garden, the problem has been with the leadership and not necessarily with the funding. The city has had funds sitting in an account for years. The community leaders just couldn't get themselves to agree on what to do.

this again is where UO can help change the "common" perception. 

 

Edsiou or anyone else, would you like to auther a letter post  it here explaining how they could have presented the story differently?

 

then individually we can add our own experiences about the garden.

 

In reality an foriegn ambasador gets an National airiline to sponsor a garden within the cultural garden.The one garden I am a little disappointed in its progresss.is the african american garden. I wonder if so callled King James would give a pittance towards this cause

 

With the AA garden, the problem has been with the leadership and not necessarily with the funding. The city has had funds sitting in an account for years. The community leaders just couldn't get themselves to agree on what to do.

 

What I heard was there is a leader but none wants to push forward. THereis a nice older lady  whole wants to move on it,but the young ones dont want to dothe work.

 

 

who is this lady of the shadows!

Doan Brook flood prevention work never done

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Susan Vinella

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Water deep enough to submerge cars flooded parts of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Cleveland during Tuesday's thunderstorms, stranding motorists.

 

A plan the city agreed to six years ago could have helped alleviate such flooding...

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/wide/080807_flood.jpg

THe flooding could be solved by widening the pipe under the freeway twice the size.

THe flooding could be solved by widening the pipe under the freeway twice the size.

 

So you Have a really wide pipe for a 75ft stretch, and keep the old narrow "pipe" for the rest?

 

Not only you run boutiques, but you're also an environmental engineer?

i'd also like to see SOLUTIONS discussed by the PD.

 

in theory, there are ways to reduce or slow runoff before it reaches doan brook.

 

what are shaker and cleveland heights doing as far as permeable pavement?  green roofs?  retention basins/filters?  disconnecting downspouts?  creating rain gardens?

 

there are a lot of innovative ways that everyone can participate in reducing this problem besides an 8 million construction project.  some more progressive zoning as well as building requirements for runoff would go a long way, imo.

Please the shaker lakes keeps reducing!  I want them to bring back the canoes!

Just my thought remove the freeway exchange from MLK, make a new one at E 105th. Take all the traffic out of the park basically, and who really cares if it floods? It might just promote some type of development along E 105th also.

^you would not mind if the cultural gardens became underwater exhibits?

What I am trying to say it wuldnt be a big deal if it flooded every so often if it wasnt a major traffic thoughfare. If people were using E 105th as a exit it wouldnt be much of a problem if MLK got flooded every so often. But every time it rains, news at 11:00, bunch of idiots swamp their cars going though MLK when if floods. If MLK realy didnt go anywhere this wouldnt be suuch a pressing issue.

THe flooding could be solved by widening the pipe under the freeway twice the size.

 

So you Have a really wide pipe for a 75ft stretch, and keep the old narrow "pipe" for the rest?

 

Not only you run boutiques, but you're also an environmental engineer?

 

Hey I am not calling myself The Pope.

 

The cultural  Garden assoc. had a few engineers look at the problem,

 

What I heard was the pipe under the freeway is half the size of the rest of the creek

 

.So certain parts of the creek are not as deep as the rest.Flooding has happen in those area's that are shallow.

  The original plan totally sucked

http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1201685858303840.xml&coll=2

 

Italian Cultural Garden

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Roxanne Washington

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

The Italian Cultural Garden in Rockefeller Park is looking a lot snazzier these days. One of the fountains has been stripped down to a sparkling clean finish, the deep cracks repaired, and 16 new lampposts cast a warm glow over the Italian Renaissance setting at night.

 

This is just the beginning. It won't be long before the monument is fully restored to its original 1930s majesty...

^Good news.  Too true how so many people just zoom on by in their cars without even knowing what's there.

 

Other than Walk & Roll, does anyone know if there's much programming in the gardens?  Would be great to see opera/music back in the Italian garden on a summer evening.

Other than Walk & Roll, does anyone know if there's much programming in the gardens?  Would be great to see opera/music back in the Italian garden on a summer evening.

 

Yeah, with cars occasionally going by that blare "boom boom boom" from their stereo's subwoofer. I love the idea of opera or an Italian band with mandolins at the Italian garden. But there needs to be a way to keep traffic and any other interferences away.

While Italians and other Europeans appreciate public gardens, Mariani says, it saddened her to see how Americans zoom right by, too busy to stop and notice. She thought it a shame that the Italian Cultural Garden in Cleveland -- the only Italian Renaissance garden in the United States, she says -- lost its luster.

 

How does one even begin to quantify that statement?