For years, City officials have struggled with what to do with McClelland Park located on the City of Erie’s upper east side. Perhaps steps have finally been taken to determine its fate. The City has submitted a $25,000.00 grant proposal in partnership with the Friends of McClelland Park, Mercyhurst College, St. Luke’s School and the Lake Erie Region onservancy to develop a Master Site Plan for the
Park.

The plan will look at ways to add improvements to the park, while providing protection for the large tract of remaining green space otherwise known as our urban forest.

The park also remains part of an ongoing study to develop an east side greenway plan that includes areas along the new Eastside Access Highway, the mouth and other areas within the McDannel Run watershed, and even area as far south as the county-owned Sixmile Creek Park.

McDannel Run is tubed and flows underground just north of East 33rd Street, re emerging south of East 32nd Street and flowing through McClelland Park. It briefly disappears underground again before reaching sunlight on the GE property. It then curves west, crosses Franklin Avenue and flows through the John Horan Garden Apartments complex. It ducks beneath East Sixth Street and then continues to run free to the lake.

Parks and protected open-spaces are vital to our quality of life, provide recreational opportunities, and increase educational opportunities for our local community. All of the partners are very excited about this upcoming project.

Written by Sarah Galloway, City of Erie