A proud history. Work left to do.

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My Ludlow neighbors and I are proud of our neighborhood’s pioneering role in the integration of Shaker Heights, part of what makes our community so special today. Ludlow is one of the most economically and racially diverse neighborhoods in the city, but our story doesn’t end there.

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In 1987, Ludlow Elementary School was closed, with profound impacts on the neighborhood that persist today. The former school building was left without an institutional role serving Shaker Heights, and without a quality playground that could serve neighborhood kids of all ages, requiring more than a mile walk across busy roads to get to the closest play spaces.  

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Today Ludlow is tremendously excited to welcome the new Ludlow Pre-K opening this fall, bringing the Shaker Schools back to our neighborhood after a 38-year drought. I've worked hard to make sure the school district connected with a broad range of neighbors in Ludlow and across the city, so we could get this project right and best serve our Pre-K students, our teachers, and our community.

Leadership for change.

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When the school design was first shared with the community, it prioritized pavement over places for people. The playground could only serve the minimum needs of Pre-K children, without any space or equipment for kids over five. The design threatened the survival of large legacy trees. As a passionate community leader, I’ve spearheaded the effort to make sure this project is reaching its full potential:

• I pressed for the return of schools to the neighborhoods south of Van Aken as a member of the Forward Together advisory committee, leading to the decision to bring the Pre-K facility to the Ludlow School building.

• I informed neighbors about the opportunities in the project, and encouraged them to share community needs with the district, including shared space in the building that will be accessible after hours for community meetings and potential recreation needs.

• I offered alternative solutions to the schools for maintaining greenspace instead of asphalt, creating space for play that could serve all kids instead of only children ages 3 to 5.

• Lobbied the school district to share news of the Pre-K opportunities more broadly to help reach all families who can benefit from this new preschool.

• I organized neighbors to attend school board and city planning meetings to argue for a higher quality space to serve our kids, teachers, and all of the community, which included saving 100-year-old legacy oak trees that were threatened by new construction.

• I collaborated with the City of Shaker Heights, resulting in the repair of drainage issues that had limited the use of the sports field, and lobbied for city funding, resulting in an allocation of $102,500 for additional playground equipment, creating facilities that will serve both neighbors and families city-wide.

• I worked with the Shaker Schools Foundation to create a fundraising campaign to bring the new space up to par with other quality play spaces in the community, raising over $75,000 for additional landscaping and amenities.