A World-Class Community Sailing Center for All
Cleveland Metroparks and its partners have officially broken ground on the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center at E. 55th Street Marina — the first of its kind along Lake Erie in Ohio.
This world-class, year-round facility will offer unprecedented public access and sailing opportunities to the region. Inspired by the legacy of Patrick S. Parker — former Chairman and CEO of Parker Hannifin, avid sailor and Cleveland philanthropist — the Patrick S. Parker Sailing Center is made possible through the generous support of key partners including Madeleine Parker, Parker Hannifin Corporation, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, the Britton Fund, Pam and Don Washkewicz, Mike and Gina Trebilcock and The Cleveland Foundry.
By making a tax-deductible gift to the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center today, you will play a pivotal role in transforming our lakefront into a vibrant hub of activity that is accessible to all.
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Opening in 2026, the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center will serve as a year-round community anchor and lakefront destination for sporting and community events, education, retail, marina operations, recreation and dining. Two new facilities will comprise the Sailing Center campus:
- The east building will feature multi-purpose learning spaces, indoor and outdoor community areas, concessions and dining, including the Washkewicz Rooftop Terrace.
- The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Boathouse, which will sit to the west, will be home to the Charlie Britton Sailing School and serve as the region's premier sailing hub.
The Sailing Center will go beyond ADA compliance by incorporating universal design and fully accessible amenities, including adaptive equipment and wheelchair access throughout. It will also connect to the future Mandel Community Trail, linking Cleveland’s harbor to University Circle.
The Sailing Center will host year-round Sailing STEM programming for schools & community partnership organizations under the operation of The Cleveland Foundry at the Charlie Britton Sailing School. Programming will include Youth Learn-to-Sail, Youth Learn-to-Race, Interscholastic Racing, Adult Basic Series, Community Dinghy Race Nights, Family Sailing Basics, Ohio Boating Safety and Education Classes and Water Safety Certifications classes — all designed to eliminate barriers and grow knowledge and access to the sport of sailing for all of greater Cleveland.
100% of your donation to the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center will support the creation of this vibrant lakefront hub for education, recreation, and community engagement; it will not fund any overhead or administrative costs.
For more information about the project or available naming opportunities, please contact Bisi Mikleus, Director of Development, at [email protected] or (216) 954-3430.
Online Payment Methods
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover accepted via the form below.