PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN

Saturday, September 9, 2023; Light Up the Park, Storer Park, 3397 W. 67^th Street: Tug-a-war contests were part of the festivities.

(Plain Press, October 2023) For the third time Betty Jo Palmer led the organizing of an event called Light Up the Park held at the park at W. 67^th and Storer Avenue on September 9^th of this year. Besides people gathering to enjoy a fun day at the park, Palmer hopes the event will encourage the City of Cleveland to invest in playground equipment and amenities for the park.

   Palmer says she has met with Ward 14 City Council Representative Jasmin Santana and has high hopes that the funding will come through this year. Palmer hopes the City of Cleveland will install equipment such as swings and slides. Other amenities sought for the park include benches, lights, a little free library, a shelter, and a bathroom.

   This year’s Light Up the Park featured free food – hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks, and drinks. Children enjoyed jumping on large air-filled platforms. Area residents engaged with volunteers from churches in playing football, tug-a-war, and other family friendly games. Building Hope in the City volunteers from three churches – John Knox Church in North Olmsted, W. 58^th Church of God and City Church in Tremont — helped to staff the event.

   In addition to Building Hope in the City, Metro West Community Development Organization, RecessCLE and Rally CLE helped to sponsor the event.