News
Cleveland Metroparks and its funding partners, including the Mandel Foundation, are transforming Cleveland’s relationship with Lake Erie through strategic investments connecting residents to the waterfront. In a significant milestone for this vision, the Metroparks held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 9, 2025, for the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center — a world-class facility situated along the Mandel Community Trail at the E. 55th Street Marina. When completed, it will be the first community sailing center of its kind in Ohio, offering stunning views of the Cleveland skyline and Lake Erie sunsets, as well as unprecedented public access and sailing opportunities for the region.
The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Boathouse will serve as the venue’s sailing hub, and visitors to the Sailing Center will enjoy multi-purpose learning spaces, indoor and outdoor community areas, concessions and dining. The facility will be fully accessible, featuring adaptive equipment and wheelchair-accessible amenities that exceed ADA standards by incorporating universal design principles.
Strategically positioned along the Mandel Community Trail, currently under construction from E. 9th to E. 55th Street, the Sailing Center will connect Cleveland’s harbor with the cultural hub of University Circle. The Mandel Foundation’s dual investment in both the trail and sailing center also addresses a longtime disparity in Cleveland: despite being situated along a major river and a great lake, many residents have never had the opportunity for water-based recreation, as over 90% of Lake Erie’s shoreline within Cuyahoga County is privately owned, with no public 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 Dr. Jehuda Reinharz, President and CEO of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. “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 which have been historically disconnected.”
The Mandel Foundation’s support of the Community Trail and the Boathouse through its collaborative partnership with the Cleveland Metroparks, along with investments in nearby parks and neighborhoods, is part of a comprehensive approach to community development that will provide Cleveland’s East Side residents with not just physical access to the lake and green space but also opportunities for education and recreation.
The Sailing Center will host year-round Sailing STEM programming for schools & community partnership organizations under the operation of The Cleveland Foundry at the Charlie Britton Sailing School. Programming will include Youth Learn-to-Sail, Youth Learn-to-Race, Interscholastic Racing, Adult Basic Series, Community Dinghy Race Nights, Family Sailing Basics and more. The Foundry will also provide Ohio Boating Safety and Education Classes and Water Safety Certifications courses. By expanding the reach of sailing instruction and hands-on educational experiences, the Foundry offers the public a progressive pathway of learning opportunities designed to safely increase access to the sport of sailing for all of Cleveland.
“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. “The Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center, inspired by Patrick S. Parker, former Chairman and CEO of Parker Hannifin, who was an avid sailor and Cleveland philanthropist, will provide our community direct lakefront access, grow our reach to schools, neighborhoods and community centers and make Cleveland a leader in the sport of sailing.”
Construction on the $15 million Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center is expected to be completed in 2026. To date, project funds have been raised through leadership gifts from Parker Hannifin Corporation and Madeleine Parker, Pam and Don Washkewicz, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, and other significant contributions from private funders and state and local grants.
