Building Better Neighborhoods in Painesville: Building State Street Park a success

PAINESVILLE, Ohio - The sound of a bobcat rolling through and shovels filled South State Street in Painesville Friday. It's the big day for NewsChannel5's Building Better Neighborhood project: Building State Street Park.

The first session lasted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and included about 30 volunteers who planted trees and flower gardens, mulched and built at least a dozen picnic tables. The volunteers ranged in all ages.

"Do you mind if I ask how old you are," said NewsChannel5's Stephanie Ramirez.

Painesville Lion's Club volunteer Howard McCain answered, "I'm 87-years-old."

"And you're still building picnic benches," replied Ramirez, half in shock.

"It's just what we do," said McCain laughing, "and it beats shoveling rocks any day! Yeah. That's no fun!"

That was the sense of sense of community felt in Painesville Friday as volunteers converted an empty lot into the "State Street Park."

The city of Painesville proposed the park idea when they partnered with NewsChannel5's Building Better Neighborhoods. Doug Lewis, Painesville's assistant city manager, described a serious need for more open space that kids in the neighborhood and parents can utilize.

"The really interesting thing is the projects that we're working on today were part of what the neighborhood put together when we asked them for their input," said Lewis.

The city acquired the State Street property after the old elementary school sitting on it was torn down. Believe it or not, even the old school's principal was there Friday to give a helping hand.

"This is why I was anxious to come and see what was going to happen after they tore the school down," said Lois Hosmer. Hosmer served as the State Street Elementary School Principal from 1957 to 1982. Her eyes began to well-up as she told NewsChannel5's Stephanie Ramirez, "See this now come together to really be something other than a a vacant lot really is encouraging."

Other volunteers included several city employees like City Manager Rita McMahon and City Council President Joe Hada.

The Lake Erie Baseball team even volunteered in shifts so they could help dig the gardens and attend class.

Assistant Coach Eric Bunnell said, "We're pretty fortunate to, you know, have the opportunity to be involved with college athletics... we play in a public field now to far away from here... and it just felt like a good opportunity to help out the community."

Even NewsChannel5 folks were out there digging and planting. Anchor Danita Harris jumped right in and already felt that sense of community coming together.

"I don't live in Painesville but I am nearby so I feel like I am sort of the adopted daughter of Painesville. I've met a lot of great people that made me feel right at home and this project really hits home to me... as a mother of a toddler myself, it's great to know there's a place where I can take Chase to play and feel safe. It's an excellent opportunity," said Harris.

In addition to volunteers, the day was also made possible through donations. Organizations like the Klyn Nursery provided the trees and nurseries at discounted rates. Painesville's Papa Johns donated lunch and dinner. Other organizations, like the Downtown Painesville Organization, the Western Reserve Community Development Corporation and the United Way of Lake County were also a handful of groups that donated their time and money to organize Friday's event.  

The biggest donor of all, however, was the city of Painesville and city leaders really pushed to make the park possible.

"I think that the people of the city care. Whether you live on State Street or St. Claire or something on the South end or if you live on the North end, to be a community it's across the city, not just individual neighborhoods," said Jim Foder, a Painesville resident and member of the city council.

Assistant City Manager Doug Lewis said, "It couldn't have happened without the volunteers today, the sponsors and you guys, NewsChannel5's Building Better Neighborhoods. The main thing is, it's important to give back to the community. Everybody expects the city or the county or the federal government to do things for them and this is a way they can give back and really make an improvement in the city."

City leaders already believe they'll be finished at the end of session two, which lasts from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.