Old Brooklyn

old_brooklyn_164.jpgBob Perkoski

With a steadily shifting population (including rapidly growing African-American and Latino demographics) and an equally changing economic landscape (with Chain Reaction slated to bring at least five new businesses into the area), Old Brooklyn is entering a new era. FreshWater Cleveland is excited to cover the neighborhood’s ongoing transformation in its first-ever On the Ground community reporting initiative.

For 10 weeks, FreshWater Cleveland will practice embedded journalism in Old Brooklyn—uncovering the people, places, and projects that are shaping and driving its future. Along with reported stories, content will include photo essays and multimedia, as well as a live event.

The On the Ground initiative is being made possible by partnerships with the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Cleveland Development Advisors, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, and Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

Explore one of Cleveland’s oldest neighborhoods—and newest hotspots—with us.

Photos: Local participants in Walk to End Alzheimer’s raise more than $700,000
The Alzheimer's Association's Cleveland Chapter's 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Oct. 18 attracted 449,000 participants and 408 teams, and raised $740,701 towards its $825,000 goal. Two local teams ranked in the nationwide Top 50 Teams list. Photographer Reuben Kutash kept up with the group, and documented their steps.
Cleveland Walk to End Alzheimer's offers hope around research and treatment breakthroughs
The Alzheimer's Association's Cleveland Chapter will host its 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this weekend, combining fundraising efforts with a day of family fun. Organizers say the event comes at an exciting time in Alzheimer's research, with new treatments showing promise.
Everyone belongs: Engage! Cleveland’s annual conference takes fresh approach to inclusion
Engage! Cleveland is hosting its third annual Develop, Engage, and Inspire Conference this Wednesday, Sept. 17. The event will focus on themes of belonging and community engagement, and feature dynamic sessions and speakers from various sectors to attract and retain diverse talent in Greater Cleveland.
Old Brooklyn StreetFest: A celebration and showcase of a thriving neighborhood
Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation will host OB Street Fest on Broadview Road this weekend, with plenty of live entertainment from Apostle Jones and Front Porch Lights, food and drink from Masthead Brewing Company, and vendors.
 #OBStreetFest
#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot on Pearl Road
FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.
Neighborhood Connections, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture fund resident-led projects
Neighborhood Connections announced this week that it has approved $382,114 in grants to support 121 projects in Cleveland and East Cleveland. Cuyahoga Arts & Culture will co-fund 27 of the resident-led arts and culture projects. Read about what community groups are doing with the funding to improve our neighborhoods.
GardenWalk Cleveland: Changing neighborhood perceptions through creative landscapes
GardenWalk Cleveland will feature more than 400 gardens in 11 Cleveland neighborhoods this weekend—showing off the work, creativity, and neighborhood pride of local gardeners.
#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot in Old Brooklyn
FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.
#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot on Pearl Road
FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.
Right at home: Cuyahoga County opens doors to new Welcome Center
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne and other County and the City of Cleveland officials, Re:Source Cleveland, and Global Cleveland recently celebrated the opening of the Cuyahoga County Welcome Center, aimed at supporting the area's diverse immigrant and refugee population. The hub provides essential services to help newcomer populations feel right at home. The new center earned a “Certified Welcoming” designation by Welcoming America.
Holiday brilliance: Wild Winter Lights returns to Metroparks Zoo
For the fifth year in a row, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is bringing back Wild Winter Lights—its biggest holiday celebration that transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland with musical light shows, an enchanted forest, and Santa Claus himself.
Chain Reaction: Applications open for sixth season of small business pitch competition
Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Council of Smaller Enterprises announced that applications are now open for the sixth season of Cleveland Chain Reaction—the small business pitch competition.
Saving bees and kids: A honey company connects corporations and communities
When a neighbor left Chris Bush and Mindy Brasdovich with his beehives, the two saw a sweet opportunity to combine making honey with hands-on job training for students.
A new Jesse Owens tree takes root at Old Brooklyn’s Rhodes High School
A group interested in preserving history and Olympic athlete Jesse Owens’ Cleveland legacy last week planted a second cloned sapling of an oak tree given to Owens after the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. The sapling now stands at James Ford Rhodes High School, the site of the last known standing Jesse Owens oak.
 
#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot in Old Brooklyn
FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.
#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot on Pearl Road
FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.
Wild Ride: Asian Lantern Festival extended; nighttime biking event returns to close festival
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has extended the Asian Lantern Festival and is bringing back Wild Ride, a one-night event at the close of the festival when guests can ride their bikes through the Zoo for one last look at the illuminated lanterns.
Asian Lantern Festival next week returns to Metroparks Zoo for a fifth year
The always popular Asian Lantern Festival at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo returns next week with some of the largest displays yet.
A look back, a glimpse ahead: CDCs navigated challenges in building up communities in 2021
A trio of local Community Development Corporation leaders are striving to accentuate the positive during the pandemic while casting ahead to a brighter future with the programs they've offered in their neighborhood this past year and the plans they are making for 2022.
Work group shines a bright light on the efforts of CDCs to meet regional economic development needs
An assembly of local Community Development Corporation directors—collectively named the Economic Development Working Group—is taking a joint approach in meeting the pressing regional needs of Cleveland neighborhoods to make the city a better place to live.