Euclid celebrates opening of Kenny Yuko Park – News-Herald

State senators, former and current mayors, city planners and groundskeepers were on hand August 7 to celebrate the official opening of Kenny Yuko Park, 25701 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid.

Despite the strong winds left over from the previous day’s severe storm, politicians were able to thank their former colleagues and staff for coming together to create a new vision for Euclid’s waterfront.

The opening of Kenny Yuko Park is one of the final steps in Euclid’s Waterfront Improvement Plan. The city plans to build a $10 million lounge and restaurant, as well as more parking on-site, but funding has yet to be secured, according to the city.

Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail said she was excited about the opening of the long-awaited park and was excited to see the public’s response. She said the park would not have been completed without the help of Senator Yuko, who helped raise funds for the project.

“We are very happy that this section is complete and we are looking forward to the next phase,” said Holzheimer Gail after the ribbon cutting. “We are of course very grateful to Senator Yuko for his commitment to help us complete this project. Without his support, this would not have been possible.”

“We really got momentum from the early government capital grant and then received the second government capital grant for this particular park. We are very grateful for that.”

Yuko said that despite the power outage across the state and the trees downed by the storm the day before, nothing could stop him from having the grand opening. He said that when he saw the faces around him, he was grateful to all the staff who helped him along the way.

“Many of you have known me for so long and you know I’m never at a loss for words, but today, my goodness,” Yuko said. “Hello Euclid! What a beautiful day. Last November, they predicted four inches of snow, and now you think a lousy tornado could stop us?”

He said he grew up in Euclid in the 1950s and remembers playing with model boats in a pond behind City Hall and pulling them in on chains at the end of the day. He said he has fond memories of the parks that used to exist in the city and he hopes the new park can help build future memories for those who visit.

“That’s what I hope this park means to the people who now live in Euclid and the surrounding area,” Yuko said. “I want them to come here, I want them to feel safe. I want them to bring their kids and have their kids feel safe. I want their kids to have a good time.”

“That’s my hope. That we respect this park, that we respect what this park means, what it stands for. It stands for kindness, for respect, for treating people the way you want to be treated, and when you do that, good things happen.”

Yuko was most recently a member of the state Senate from 2015 to 2022.

Originally published: August 9, 2024 at 16:00