Location and Context

Orr Park is located at 9605 Lamont Avenue, which is within Ward 7 and the Hough neighborhood, represented by City Council Member Stephanie Howse-Jones. According to The Center for Community Solutions and Cleveland State University's Northern Ohio Data and Information Service, the Hough neighborhood has a population of 9,878, of which, approximately 90% identified as Black or African American. The mean household income is $36,866. A location map of the park is provided in the Attachments section.

The renovation of Orr Park included two components: a "clean and green" of the original park footprint adjacent to Ansel Road ("Orr Park East") and an expansion of the park adjacent to Lamont Avenue ("Orr Park West"). As shown on the location map, these two components are not physically attached. Located between the two park spaces is a one-story building that currently houses the Positive Education Program and formerly the Cleveland Leadership Academy. The renovation began in the summer of 2021 and was completed, and opened to the public, in the fall of 2022. The conceptual site plan for the renovation and post-construction photographs are provided below.

The clean and green of Orr Park East included the removal of all playground equipment, reconfiguring the pathways to be a circular loop, and generally cleaning the splash pad that was retained.

The expansion of Orr Park West included the new build of a playground, splash pad, various seating options, circular walking loop around an open play field, and storm water retention features. A pathway leads to the adjacent multi-family residential building to the north, which has a controlled access gate that is not publicly accessible. Even while the gate has controlled access, the pathway is heavily used by residents that creates a high use of the park.

Public Artwork Theme and Focus Area

The Cleveland Public Art Committee, in authorizing the release of this RFQ, did not identify a theme or focus area for any public artwork. Moreover, any form of public artwork is permissible in any location in Orr Park, either within the west side or the east side. The only restricted area that public artwork is on the retaining wall between Orr Park West and the adjacent one-story building as it is not owned by the City of Cleveland, and therefore an agreement would be needed between the City of Cleveland and building owner if public artwork is pursued in this location.

Budget

The all-inclusive budget to complete the Orr Park project is $24,450. This all-inclusive budget includes costs related to public engagement; the design, fabrication, and installation of the public artwork; any artist fee; and all other related expenses. 

Retained Splash Pad in Orr Park East

New Circular Loop in Orr Park East

New Playground, Seating, and Splash Pad in Orr Park West

New Circular Loop in Orr Park West

New Storm Water Retention Features in Orr Park West

Conceptual Site Plan