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Lakewood Residents,
We have made it to May! As outside temperatures have risen, so too has the number of Lakewoodites out and about, enjoying the city's parks, shops, restaurants, and bikeways. We at City Hall are gearing up for the summer and all the events that come with the season.
Starting June 3, the speed limit on Lake Avenue will change to 30 miles per hour, down from 35 MPH. This change comes after a multi-year collaboration between many City departments, and is a part our overarching effort to improving safety for everyone that uses Lakewood's roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks.
As we all are aware, summertime in Northeast Ohio means construction barrels. Our Public Works team and construction crews are hard at work to update and maintain our roads, water mains, and sewer lines, sidewalks, and parks. Please give them space and drive cautiously when you encounter road work in progress.
There is certainly a lot going on in Lakewood this month, so be sure to check out all of the upcoming events in this issue of the e-newsletter and follow the City's social media pages for all the latest happenings in your neighborhood.
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Lake Avenue Speed Limit Change Coming June 3
The City of Lakewood will reduce the speed limit on Lake Avenue from 35 miles per hour (MPH) to 30 MPH on Monday, June 3. The change follows multiple years of traffic studies on the street and will become effective after the City engages in a 30-day public notice campaign.
Following the reconfiguration of Lake Avenue that included the addition of bicycle lanes, the City began to explore the possibility of lowering the speed limit in an effort to decrease the risk level for drivers, cyclist, and pedestrians.
The study and data collection process revealed that drivers were already adjusting their speeds. “The data showed that the average speed of cars was 30 MPH, which indicates that drivers were self-adjusting to the new conditions on Lake with the addition of the bike lanes,” said City Engineer Mark Papke. With this data in hand, the City used a required methodology required by ODOT to do its analysis and make the application for the speed reduction. In 2024, ODOT ruled that the speed should be changed to 30MPH for the entire stretch of Lake Avenue in Lakewood.
The change affects the section of Lake Avenue running from West 117th Street to the street ends at Webb Avenue.
To read the City's full press release, click below.
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Growing Lakewood's Urban Tree Canopy
The 2024 Spring tree planting kicked off in mid-April. Crews are in the process of planting trees in designated tree lawns throughout the spring and early summer months. Lakewood's tree program is made possible thanks in part to a grant from the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission's Urban Tree Canopy Grant program.
The City partnered with the Tree Advisory and Education Board and the Arbor Day Foundation for a tree giveaway program that allowed residents to plant a new tree on their private lawns. Tree claimants received their trees and were able to attend a tree-planting demonstration at the giveaway event on Saturday, April 27 at Bernice Pyke Park.
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Lakewood is committed to creating and maintaining a robust urban tree canopy. In 2023, the City planted 430 new trees.
If your yard received a new tree, be sure to review our Young Tree Care Guide to make sure it thrives in its new home.
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Benefits of a Healthy Tree Canopy
A health tree canopy provides our city and residents a wide range of benefits, including:
- Reducing heating and cooling costs by providing shade and dissipating heat
- Slowing degradation of roads, driveways, and roofs by reducing direct sunlight exposure
- Absorbing and filtering storm water, reducing the strain on our wastewater treatment plant
- Capturing carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis
- Catching and removing harmful particulate matter from the air
- Providing aesthetic benefits, increasing property values, and reducing residents' stress
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Would you like to have a tree planted in your tree lawn? Click the button below to email our Streets and Forestry team to get the process started. | |
Backflow Education Public Meeting
When our water system experiences a rapid and unexpected loss in pressure, harmful contaminants can enter the water system through lawn irrigation systems, swimming pools, and other devices. This occurrence is known as backflow, which is a plumbing term for an unwanted flow of water in a reverse direction.
The City of Lakewood is hosting an informational session on May 8, 2024 to educate the community on backflow, backflow prevention devices, and how and when to have them tested.
City officials and employees from the Water Department, Law Department, and Building Department will explain the hazards and necessities of these devices and how the City will enforce compliance with the program.
Join us from 5:30 PM to 7 PM at the City Hall Auditorium for the session.
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Please note that "backflow" is not the same thing as a sewer back-up. These are two different events that occur under very different conditions. | | | |
Lakewood Fire Department Engine 3 "Push-In" Ceremony | |
Department of Human Services
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Department of Human Services
Check out this impressive progress! Talented high school students from West Shore Career-Tech's Construction Trades program are close to finishing a new garage at Cove Community Center. This collaboration between the City of Lakewood, Department of Human Services, Lakewood City Schools, and West Shore Career-Tech is making a real impact! Construction Trades instructor Mike Dow expressed, "This collaboration was a success, and we'd welcome any opportunity to partner with the City again." These students are showing a promising future for construction trades.
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Division of Aging
As the season changes, the Division of Aging is looking forward to offering a number of warm-weather activities to our older residents. We have a full roster of outdoor leagues and activities, including bocce, cornhole and croquet that we will be enjoying on the grounds. Plans are underway for some raised-bed vegetable gardens. This will be a great opportunity for people with green thumbs, but without land of their own to get their hands dirty, not to mention all the great produce that we will have on hand.
In addition to the many programs and activities offered here at Cove Community Center, We have some great trips lined up, including to Amish Country, the Lake Erie Crushers, and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. In 2024, we here at the Division of Aging intend to make the most of the warm weather, while it is here.
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Family Room
The Lakewood Family Room at Cove has expanded programming to support new parents before their baby arrives. Funded by a grant from the Healthy Lakewood Foundation, Birth & Beyond will be offered in three evening sessions throughout the year.
Whether you're a first-time parent or adding to your family, our knowledgeable Doula and Lactation Counselor, Kristen Bindel will provide valuable information and support to guide you through this exciting time. Call Early Childhood at (216) 529-5018 to register or for more information.
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Lakewood Area Collaborative
The Lakewood Area Collaborative received a systems-level grant that will allow the clinical manager and five staff members to be trained in Motivational Interviewing Informed Wraparound Services (MiiWrap). This is an evidence-based model of care that was developed by the early adopters of Wraparound Services.
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The Lakewood ME/WE Family Education and Support Group, funded by Opioid Settlement funding, meets Saturdays at Lakewood’s Cove Community Center since May 13, 2023, both in person and virtually. Led by Jim Joyner, a licensed chemical dependency counselor with over 50 years of experience, the program offers education and peer support for family members affected by alcohol or drug abuse.
With an average attendance of over 15 persons per meeting, it covers 10 topics over a 12-week cycle, helping participants understand addiction, set healthy boundaries, and find support. Testimonials speak to its impact on transforming relationships and promoting self-care. The group fosters healing and connection, whether in-person or online. Lakewood’s initiative sets an example for addressing substance use disorder.
To participate, pre-register by calling (216) 780-3883, Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
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Upcoming Events & Updates | | |
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Bunts Rehabilitation Project Public Meeting
On Tuesday, May 7, the City of Lakewood will host a public meeting to discuss the Bunts Rd. Rehabilitation Project and proposed improvements with the community, answer questions, and gather community input.
The meeting will take place at 6 PM in the Lakewood High School Cafeteria.
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Lakewood Diversity Potluck
Join the Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Council on Thursday, May 9 for the Lakewood Diversity Potluck! Attendees will bring a dish that represents their family, culture, or ethnic background, and dishes will be shared.
The event will take place from 6 to 8 PM at the Cove Community Center.
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À La Cart – Boom’s Pizza (Ben Bebenroth)
The Lakewood Community Services Center presents our first À La Cart cooking demonstration of 2024!
Join us on Tuesday, May 14 at 2 PM at Cove Community Center for a lively cooking demo by Ben Bebenroth, Chef/Founder of Spice Catering Co. and Chef/Owner of Boom's Pizza. Chef Ben will prepare a recipe featuring the flavors of spring.
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Coffee With A Cop/Firefighter
Time/Date:
Monday, May 20, 10 AM - 12 PM
Location:
Dunkin'
17601 Detroit Ave.
Lakewood, OH 44107
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Bocce! Bocce! At Cove
Get set for Bocce! Bocce! at the Cove Community Center. We have doubled the fun this year with both lawn bocce and court bocce. Games will occur weekly from June 5 through August 1, except for the week of July Fourth.
For more information, contact Nancy Feighan at (216) 529-5061.
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Daytime Bocce
Thursdays, 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
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Nighttime Bocce
Wednesdays, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
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Meet The Trucks
Meet the Trucks returns Saturday, June 3 at Lakewood Park! This great event hosted by Lakewood Early Childhood PTA gives kids and families up-close views of police, fire, construction, and maintenance vehicles. In addition, enjoy food vendors and activities from area organizations.
Sensory-Friendly Time: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
General Admission: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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