JULY 2025

CITY OF FAIRVIEW PARK

MAIN STREET CONNECTION

Greetings!

Summer is officially upon us, both technically and realistically. Temperatures are now expected to be in the high 70s to mid-80s for the month, so make sure you stay cool and hydrated.

Construction projects begin this month including the paving of Haber Drive and the start of the massive Woodstock Avenue sewer and lead water connections replacement project. A letter was mailed to the Woodstock Avenue residents and a public information meeting is scheduled. Residents of Haber Drive will receive a letter later this month with the details of the project.

Gemini reconstruction is on schedule and on budget, with footers being laid for the pool areas this month.

Cleaning of our sewers continues. Two vacuum trucks are out in the City, as well as our new sewer video truck. We clean daily and have identified many areas of concern.

Roads are still being patched, probably more this year so far than in any other recent year. We are using a new material for patching that is regarded as more durable than traditional patch jobs, so our work should last longer.

In case you did not hear the news, police will be conducting random, city-wide speed enforcement. At various times of day, at different points throughout the city, officers will be checking vehicle speed with laser/radar guns. They might be on a side street. They might be on a main thoroughfare. They might be on the other side of that building. The point being… do not speed within city limits.

Also, a new ordinance of note: We have banned short-term rentals (aka AirBnb, VRBO, etc) in our city. Our law department will be mailing letters to short-term rental companies and properties that are known to have short-term rental units. Enforcement will begin soon. 

Have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Mayor Bill Schneider

FAIRVIEW PARK SUMMERFEST

Fairview Park Summerfest is Fairview Park, Ohio’s annual festival for the community, by the community, which provides a gathering place to enjoy good food, live music, a parade, fireworks, carnival rides, and more. This fun-filled, family-oriented event is designed to encourage collaboration and companionship among the residents, businesses, and civic organizations that comprise Fairview Park. Summerfest is July 24-27 at Bohlken Park.

FUTURE OHIO ELECTRICITY PRICES

Click here for important information from NOPEC regarding the upcoming capacity charge increase and its impact on future Ohio electricity prices.

Click here for important information from First Energy regarding the energy supply cost increase and what that means for you.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY SCAM SQUAD

Cuyahoga County Scam Squad is a financial fraud task force created to help residents avoid, report and recover from scams. The county has created the Scam Squad Booklet to provide information for residents regarding scams.

GEMINI CENTER UPDATE

Information regarding the Gemini Center Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Project is available on the City's website. This information will be updated monthly to keep residents informed on the progress of this project.

HERITAGE HOME PROGRAM AND THE HOUSING ENHANCEMENT LOAN PROGRAM

The Heritage Home Program (HHP), a program of the Cleveland Restoration Society, is operating in Fairview Park. The HHP offers guidance and low-cost financing, with interest as low as 2%, to homeowners for home improvements and maintenance projects. While there are some restrictions on qualifying projects, homeowners can use the loans for many projects, such as basement waterproofing. Please see the program website for details. 

There are additional programs already available for low cost financing through the County, such as the Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP). Eligible properties must have a property tax value under $250,000 to qualify. Please visit their website for details.

SEWER INFORMATION

REGIONAL EQUALIZATION FACILITY

The Regional Equalization Facility project has received a federal grant for $1,152,000 to design a stormwater retention tank. The City will continue to update residents about this project.

HOME VISITS

A very popular program, Home Flooding Visits, will continue. Residents that are interested in having the City Engineer visit their home to review best practices to help mitigate flooding should call 440-356-4411 to schedule your appointment. There are a limited amount of dates and times available in July.

SEWER CLEANING

The Service Department uses sewer jets to clean catch basins, storm sewers and sanitary sewers in the City of Fairview Park, weather permitting.

Please click here for a report on what streets the sewer jets have been working to clean the sewers.

CITY PROJECTS

Click here for information about the City projects listed below.

• West 220 Bridge over I-480
• West 223 Street Project
• Cuyahoga County Health Urban Tree Canopy Grant
• ODNR Emerging Tree Grant
• West 210 St. (County/City)
• 2025 Paving Program (Year 36)

• I-480 Sound Wall
• Thomas Lane Landscape
• Gas Line Replacement West 215, 217, 219 Streets
• Woodstock Avenue Sewer Replacement
• Stanford Avenue Sewer Replacement

WASTE COLLECTION

SCHEDULE AND SERVICE GUIDE

Residents may place their carts, yard waste, and bulk curbside beginning at 5:00 P.M. the day before the scheduled collection. Please have items out by 6:00 A.M. on collection day to guarantee collection.* Empty receptacles must be returned to storage no later than 6:00 P.M. the day after collection, and cannot be stored in a front yard or side yard visible from the street.

Click here to view the 2025 schedule for rubbish, recycling, bulk item, yard waste, leaf, and special recycling collections.

Click here for the Trash, Yard Waste, Recycling and Bulk Waste Service Guide provided by Republic Services.

*If your garbage/recycle cans were out prior to 6:00 A.M. on collection day and Republic Services did not collect your trash, please call Republic Services at 1-800-433-1309 to report the error.

IMPORTANT BULK AND YARD WASTE REMINDERS

• Yard waste and bulk items (maximum of 6 items per week) are collected every week.
• Mattresses and all upholstered furniture must be wrapped in plastic. (Bags for mattresses/furniture are available at Lowe's, Home Depot and on Amazon.)
• Carpet must be rolled and bonded in bundles not to exceed 3 feet in length and no heavier than 30 pounds.
• If you have room in your regular trash container, please place items (including bagged yard waste) in your regular trash container before setting them at the curb.
• Bags and cans for "Yard Waste" that are placed at the curb must not exceed 30 pounds.
• Small branches must be cut and bundled not to exceed 3 feet in length and no heavier than 30 pounds. The City will no longer chip branches left on tree lawns. Residents must manage the disposal of their branches according to the regulations stated above.
• Tree root balls must be bagged and the bag must not exceed 30 pounds.
• Tires will no longer be picked up by the Service Department. Please dispose of your old tires at your tire dealer or bring them (with rims removed) to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Shredding Event in the rear of City Hall from 9:00 A.M- 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 20.
• To help keep your neighborhood clean, please bag all trash (not recyclables, which should not be bagged) before placing it in your cart. This prevents loose debris from escaping during collection.
• If you are unsure about what qualifies for bulk/yard waste collection, please call the customer service team at Republic Services at 216-441-6300.

EAT LOCAL

Please click here for a list of restaurants in Fairview Park.

3rd ANNUAL FAIRVIEW FOOD FESTIVAL

Get your Passports for the 3rd Annual Fairview Food Festival on Saturday, August 9 from 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Enjoy many exquisite “Tastes from Around the World” from 11 restaurants along the Fairview Park Culinary Mile. Enter to WIN up to $500.00 in restaurant gift cards. The more restaurants you visit, the more chances you have to WIN! Supplies are limited so click here to get your Passports TODAY! Thank you to the Fairview Park Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring this popular event!

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Recently we have had a couple suspicious incidents between adults and children. Like you, we take the safety of our children seriously.

In each of these cases, the children did not approach the suspicious adults but ran to safety to a trusted adult and reported it. In both of the events, the actions of the adults, though not overtly illegal, were definitely highly suspicious and warranted police scrutiny. Great job by the kids and the adults who taught them about stranger danger.

Please stress to your children, be wary of adults they do not recognize. Remind them not to accept items from strangers, enter their cars, go into their homes or anywhere else without your permission. Teach them to seek assistance from trusted adults like parents, teachers, or police officers if they feel unsafe or need help. Please continue to help us keep our children and community safe.

As always, if you learn of a suspicious situation, please call 440-333-1234 and report it immediately. Remember, see something say something.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Fire Department is pleased to announce the selection of Kayleigh Orner for the role of Probationary Firefighter/Paramedic.

Throughout the interview process, Kayleigh demonstrated a strong alignment with our mission of “Caring for people through our dedication and commitment to service excellence.” She brings a high level of professionalism, initiative, and sound judgment. Her ability to communicate clearly, build rapport, and maintain a calm presence in high-stress situations will be invaluable in earning the trust of both patients and team members.

The Fire Department is excited to welcome Kayleigh to the team and are confident she will be a capable and committed addition to our department. Her first day will be Monday, July 21, 2025.

We are thrilled to introduce the newest additions to our Recreation Department staff! Please join us in warmly welcoming Cindi Tscherne, our new Aquatics Coordinator, who will be overseeing all swimming programs and pool operations, Erin Alexeff, joining us as Program Coordinator, where she'll be instrumental in developing and managing our diverse recreational offerings and Megan Cooney stepped into the role of Communications Coordinator, enhancing how we connect and share news with our community. Their expertise and enthusiasm are invaluable as we continue to provide top-notch services and programs for Fairview Park. Say hello next time you see them around the center! 

Megan Cooney, Erin Alexeff, Cindi Tscherne

PROGRAMS AT THE GEMINI CENTER

The Recreation Department offers a wide variety of programs designed to engage all ages in our community. Whether you are looking for fitness classes, youth sports, or senior activities, there's something for everyone.

For complete details on all our current offerings and a schedule of additional events, please visit the Recreation Department's page on the City's website. 

Stay Connected: Facebook & Instagram & Sign Up for Our Newsletter 

Like Us, Follow Us, Tag Us! 

Join us on Friday, July 18, for a fun evening of baseball! 

Home Run Derby kicks off at 6:00 P.M. on Field 4. All ages and skill levels are welcome, with prizes for winners! Register Here: ActivityReg  

Then, settle in for a Movie-in-the-Park showing of The Sandlot at 7:00 P.M. on Field 3. Bring your blankets and chairs! Concessions will be open. Don't miss this night of baseball and community fun!  

Calling all young athletes! Registration for our exciting fall sports season is officially OPEN. We are offering Co-ed Volleyball (grades 1-9), Tackle Football (grades 3-6), Co-ed Flag Football (grades K-6), and Co-ed Soccer (ages 4-8). Be sure to visit our website for more details and to register by August 4 to secure your spot! For any questions, please contact Josue Collazo.

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING

The Parks and Recreation Commission's next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 16 at 6:00 P.M. at the Gemini Center. All are welcome!

Summer hours are now in effect.

The Senior Center will be open Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

HAPPY 90+ BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

On Wednesday, July 16 at 12:00 P.M. we will honor our Fairview Park residents who are 90+ with a FREE lunch ($12 for guests). Lunch will be catered and sponsored by Brookdale Senior Living and there will be a raffle basket for a lucky winner! RSVP (in person or call 440-356-4437) required by July 9.

SENIOR SCOPE AND CALENDAR

VAN TRANSPORTATION

Click here for information regarding van transportation.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COALITION

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION COALITION MEETINGS

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition meets at 6:30 P.M. on the first Wednesday of the month at City Hall in the Dunson Room. The next meeting is Wednesday, July 2. All are welcome!

HEAT STRESS IN TREES

With the heat extremes we have seen recently and may be seeing this summer, it is important to look at the effects in the tree canopy. Too much heat can cause excessive loss of water within a tree leading to heat stress.

Heat stress can look like a lot of things: drooping branches, browning leaf tips, small or unusually shaped leaves, or even dieback of branches (particularly high in the center of the tree crown). Trees handle heat stress by sweating (transpiration). Trees move water throughout their branches and allow it to escape which cools by evaporation.

Water! Long, irregularly timed waterings around the base and drip line of a tree (the imaginary line on the ground encircling the tree's trunk at precisely where its branches extend the farthest, intended to outline how far the tree's roots stretch under the soil) is the best method to encourage deep root growth and fight heat stress. Also, a 2- to 4-inch-thick mulch layer around the drip line of the tree will help reduce evaporation from the soil while preventing the soil from absorbing and radiating excess heat. 

Thanks to Ben Heusinkvelt, grounds and orchard manager for Arbor Day Farm and certified arborist, for this advice.

SHADE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Shade Tree Advisory Committee holds public meetings on the second Thursday of every month. Please join us in the Dunson Room at City Hall for the next meeting Thursday, July 10 at 6:00 P.M.

BITS AND PIECES OF FAIRVIEW PARK HISTORY

THE MISSING STREET SWEEPER

Tracing Fairview Park History, Chris H. Gerrett

Weighing an estimated four tons and typically covered by a tarp, it was noticeable that the street sweeper was missing from behind city hall. 

Service department employees built the sweeper in the 1950s “to save money.”  A motor and transmission from a Speed King tractor and tires from an old fire truck were used. There was a circular brush at the front to loosen the dirt, then a revolving long brush at the rear to move the dirt to a storage tank inside.  

The pump to spray water to wet down the dirt usually didn’t work, so the dirt that was supposed to be removed was spread out over a larger area. The most successful trip was when the dirt was picked up, but the door that was supposed to open to empty the dirt tank failed to work. So, a service department employee had to climb into the machine and shovel out the dirt. Few service department workers were willing to “volunteer” to go out on a run with it, so the sweeper sat for long periods under the tarp. 

A week after the sweeper was noticed missing, city officials notified the city council that the sweeper had been found parked between the two restrooms at Bohlken Park. And it was in “working condition”. 

GARDEN CLUB

The Garden Club meets most second Tuesdays of the month in the Dunson Community Room at City Hall at 6:30 P.M. to socialize and the meeting begins at 7:00 P.M. The next meeting is Tuesday, July 8. All are welcome. Garden Club updates and information can be found on the Garden Club's Facebook page.

GREEN TEAM

The Green Team meets at 6:30 P.M. on the third Tuesday of every month in the Dunson Room in City Hall. The next meeting is Tuesday, July 15. All are welcome! 

Follow the Green Team on Facebook for the latest news and tips on recycling and sustainability topics.   

The Green Team recycles scrap metal to fund their environmental projects. Call or text them with pick up details if you would like to support their mission: 216-308-6407 or greenteamfp@gmail.com.

City of Fairview Park

440-333-2200

www.fairviewparkohio.gov