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Lakewood Residents,
Happy April! it's been a long winter, but hang in there - relief is just around the corner. The City is working hard to prepare the events lineup, parks, and pools for Lakewood's busy summer season.
On Tuesday, March 31, I had the honor of taking part in the official groundbreaking for the Lake-Clifton Connector this past week. You can find the project overview and traffic impacts below.
I would like to congratulate and highlight our Finance and Tax Department that has been recognized for the past several years by the Auditor of the State as well as the Government Finance Officers Association for their hard work and dedication to maintaining our City's financials. My latest Lakewood Observer Mayor's Corner article goes into more detail on what this means for Lakewood.
H2O has been busy with their annual Breakfast With The Bunny event held last weekend, and their upcoming Home Alone sessions which are a great resource for families with older elementary and middle school-aged students.
Finally, April is the month of Arbor Day and Earth Day. We are still accepting submissions to our ongoing Composting Survey, and the tree giveaway and Keep Lakewood Beautiful's Earth Day Cleanup are on the horizon.
Mayor Meghan F. George
| | April 2026 Events Calendar | |
Wed., Apr. 1
Community Meal
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Cove Community Center
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Fri., Apr. 3
City Hall Closed
Mon., Apr. 6
No Refuse Collection
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Mon., Apr. 6
City Council Meeting
7:30 PM
City Hall Auditorium
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Tue., Apr. 7
LPD Coffee With A Vet
9:00 - 11:00 AM
Cove Community Center
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Sun., Apr. 12
Car Seat Fit Stop
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fire Station #1
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Wed., Apr. 15
Tax Day - Income Taxes Due
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Wed., Apr. 15
Coffee With A Cop
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Despina's Bakery
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Thu., Apr. 16
H2O's Home Alone - Session 1
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cove Community Center
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Mon., Apr. 20
City Council Meeting
7:30 PM
City Hall Auditorium
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Wed., Apr. 22
H2O's Home Alone - Session 2
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cove Community Center
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Sat., Apr. 25
Keep Lakewood Beautiful Earth Day Cleanup
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Lakewood Public Library Main Branch
| | | Click below to view the City of Lakewood's full events calendar. | |
Lake-Clifton Connector Project Breaks Ground
On March 31, officials from Cuyahoga County, Lakewood, and Rocky River held a ceremonial groundbreaking at the corner of Lake Rd. and Clifton Blvd. to mark the start of the Lake-Clifton Connector Project. Speakers included Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, County Councilman Dale Miller, Lakewood Mayor Meghan George, Rocky River Safety Service Director Rich Snyder, and NOACA CEO Grace Gallucci. Local residents, cyclists, city and county officials, and construction crews were also on hand to mark the occasion.
Enbridge is currently completing preliminary gas line work, and road construction is expected to begin in mid- to late-April.
Project Overview
The stretch of Clifton and Lake Roads between Webb Rd. in Lakewood and Linda St. in Rocky River will undergo a complete overhaul aimed at increasing safety for travelers of all methods and types. Currently, this portion of road features segments of six-lane road on Clifton, four-lane road on the bridge over the river, as well as two-lane road with on-street, buffered bicycle lanes.
The new layout will feature the following changes:
- Reduction in vehicle lanes from four to two across the bridge;
- Addition of a separated shared-use path to replace the on-road buffered bike lanes currently in place;
- A roundabout at the intersection of Lake Rd. and Clifton Blvd.;
- Increased number of trees and green space; and
- Improved pedestrian crossings and Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFBs).
Traffic Impacts
At least one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times, except during roundabout work. You can find graphics of the official detours for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, and local pedestrians (on the Lakewood side) below.
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Finance Department Continues Tradition of Excellence
The City of Lakewood's Finance Department once again has received the Auditor of State Award With Distinction for 2025. To qualify, government entities must strictly adhere to accounting principles and avoid material deficiencies in reporting while having no ethics referrals, no financial concerns, and meeting obligations for public meetings and public records standards.
Additionally, S&P Global Ratings assigned the highest possible short-term rating, SP-1+, to Lakewood, Ohio’s Series 2026 Various Purpose Bond Anticipation notes (BANs) on March 10, 2026. Separately, in previous rating commentary from Moody’s ratings, the City of Lakewood is in a “very strong financial position supported by a growing revenue trend and healthy local economy”. Further, “Lakewood is likely to maintain a strong financial profile given a track record of conservative budgeting and demonstrated commitment to maintaining strong reserves”.
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H2O's Home Alone Program Returns
Every year, H2O connects with kids aged 9 through 12 to help teach about safety and independence. Two sessions are available: Thursday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 22 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Group breakouts are led by high school volunteers, and cover topics such as:
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Emergencies – How and when to Call 9-1-1
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Basic First Aid – What to do if accidents or injuries occur
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Tricky People & Street Smarts – Developing instinct and best practices for engaging with others and safety tips when going to and from school or around Lakewood
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Routines and Siblings – Establishing house rules and role-playing conflict resolution
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Internet Safety – Advice for maintaining positive, healthy experiences online
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Mental Health – Establishing practices that cultivate mental wellness
While students are engaged with the high school leaders, their parents/guardians will receive valuable safety information presented by local safety experts.
Registration is $17.85, and financial assistance is available.
Learn more and register at our Home Alone page linked below.
| | LPD To Host Second Annual "Ice Skating With Safety Forces" Event | | |
The LPD will host the second annual Open Skate with Safety Forces on Saturday, May 9 from 1 to 3 PM at Winterhurst Ice Arena.
The event is free to attend, and skate rental is $3 per person. Open to all ages and ability levels. Hope to see you there!
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Keep Lakewood Beautiful Hosting Annual Earth Day Cleanup
April means it's time once again for KLB's annual Earth Day cleanup event! This year, volunteers will meet at the Lakewood Public Library main branch (15425 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107) to pick up litter in the area.
The event will also feature a free tree giveaway, and other local organizations including Wild Ones, Cleveland Water, and the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District will share tips on how to help protect the Earth.
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Composting Survey Open Through April 15
The Planning and Development Department is conducting a survey to gather resident feedback on composting. Your participation and voice will help to guide future citywide composting resources.
The survey is open through April 15, 2026. Submit your entry by clicking below.
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Spring Tree Giveaway Returns April 8
The Tree Advisory and Education Board is once again teaming with the City of Lakewood and the Arbor Day Foundation to offer free young trees to Lakewood residents to plant on private property.
Visit the Tree Reservation Page beginning at 10 AM on Wednesday, April 8 to reserve your tree. Limit one tree per resident.
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