Cleveland’s African American Cultural Garden Nears Completion After 65-Year Journey
CLEVELAND — After more than six decades of planning, delays, and perseverance, Cleveland’s African American Cultural Garden is finally on the brink of completion. This long-awaited project, part of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens—a collection of over 30 public gardens celebrating global cultures—marked a historic milestone on Thursday as officials broke ground on the final phase of construction.
The journey began in 1961 when a Cleveland city council member first proposed the idea of a “negro garden.” It wasn’t until nearly a decade later that concrete steps were taken to bring the vision to life. Despite setbacks ranging from funding challenges to location disputes, phase one of the garden was completed in 2016. Now, nearly eight years later, the project is poised to reach its conclusion.
The groundbreaking ceremony drew a crowd of community leaders, including former Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and members of the city council. Obie Shelton, Executive Director of the Association of African American Cultural Gardens, expressed both pride and humility as he reflected on the decades-long effort.
“It’s a great sense of satisfaction, but also humility because this isn’t just about me,” Shelton said. “I think about all the people from 1961—when I was just a little kid—until now, who dreamed of this and worked to make it happen. Some of them didn’t live to see this day, but here I am, witnessing the groundbreaking. It’s emotional.”
The garden, situated along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, is designed to honor the contributions and heritage of African Americans. Its completion will add a vital chapter to the Cultural Gardens, which already feature representations of countries and ethnic groups from around the world.
However, the project has hit one last hurdle. A bald eagle’s nest on the property has delayed the start of phase two construction. Under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), bald and golden eagles are federally protected species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends maintaining a 660-foot buffer between development and active eagle nests to avoid disturbing the birds.
The construction team has submitted a permit to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to assess the nest and determine how to proceed. While this has pushed back the timeline, organizers remain optimistic that the final phase can be completed by late fall.
The bald eagle, a symbol of strength and resilience, holds particular significance for this project. Though removed from the Endangered Species Act in 2007, these majestic birds continue to be protected under federal law. Their presence on the site serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving both cultural and natural heritage.
For the Association of African American Cultural Gardens, the completion of this project represents more than just the creation of a beautiful space. It’s a testament to the perseverance of a community that refused to let its story go untold.
“This garden is about honoring our past, celebrating our present, and inspiring our future,” Shelton said. “It’s a place where people can come together, learn, and reflect. After 65 years, it’s finally happening—and it’s worth the wait.”
As Cleveland prepares to welcome this new addition to its Cultural Gardens, the African American Cultural Garden stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, unity, and the enduring spirit of a community.
— Reported by Nexio News
