CLEVELAND -- After years of talk, delays, a lack of money and lots of wheel-spinning, the African-American Cultural Garden project in Rockefeller Park is finally underway.
Mayor Frank Jackson joined a host of civic and community leaders in a ceremonial groundbreaking for phase one of the more than $2 million project.
The garden will join those of 31 other national groups making up Cleveland's melting pot.
The African-American community is more than 53 percent of Cleveland's population, according to the last census.
The idea for a garden project dates back to the late 1970's.
Cuyahoga Community College Professor Booker Tall launched it as a way to give the community a sense of identity and place.
Overall, the purpose of the world-famous gardens are to promote peace and understanding, qualities much in demand in these stressful, polarizing times.
Mayor Frank Jackson said, 'It's really an honor for me to help (Tall's ) dream come true."
The mayor assigned a team to the project to build consensus, raise money, make progress and encourage the community to take ownership of the project.
The project will blend black granite retaining walls, reflective sandstone/limestone and a cascading waterfall.
Cleveland has African-American heroes and history-makers, including the first black mayor of a major American city, Carl Stokes, author Langston Hughes and Olympian sprinter Jesse Owens..
But the space is meant to give an entire community a sense of its history and place here..
Speaker Dorothy Adams said the exhibit will be most important for the community's children.
Activist and African-American Community Garden group member Khalid Samad said the project will, hopefully, give young people trying to find themselves a sense of history and values they can bring to their own lives.
Designer/Architect Daniel Bickerstaff said, "We want to give the community a sense of pride and accomplishment."
About $1.75 million is still needed for the entire project.
To make a donation, visit any KeyBank location or send a check or money order payable to AAACG to P.O. Box 74228, Cleveland, Ohio 44194
The goal is to have it done in time for next year's 100th Anniversary of the Cultural Gardens.
Follow WKYC Senior Political Correspondent Tom Beres on Twitter: @TomBeres
