Cleveland’s parks director, Alexandria Nichols, says residents are going to notice real changes at rec centers and parks this summer. Outdoor pools are expected to reopen in early June, and the department is rolling out new security screening, on-site repairs and more youth programming. Nichols is pitching the work as fixes people can literally see and feel in their neighborhood hubs: cleaner centers, patched roofs and more reliable staffing, paired with longer-term planning guided by the city’s parks master plan.
In an interview with Signal Cleveland, Nichols said her first-year priorities were “improving facility conditions, expanding programming and improving marketing.” One of the early structural tweaks: custodial staff now report directly to rec center managers instead of to property management. She told Signal that rec center membership and programming remain free for City of Cleveland residents, and that the department will pilot day camp in four centers along with a weekly overnight camp for school-aged kids. Nichols also said the department has partnered with STEM Playbook to bring early-elementary STEM activities into neighborhood centers.
When Pools Open And How To Register
The City has typically opened outdoor pools in early June, and residents sign up for swim sessions and classes through the city’s online catalog. As outlined by the City of Cleveland, previous pool schedules used 45-minute swim sessions and listed on-site security during open hours. The department is asking residents to check the portal for this season’s finalized dates and for lifeguard hiring information. The City’s rec portal will also be the place to register when the 2026 schedule posts.
Security And Screening At Rec Centers
Nichols told Signal Cleveland that the department has contracted a third-party security provider for rec centers and pools and will require everyone to walk through metal detectors before entering. Local television coverage has documented similar measures at Cleveland rec centers in previous seasons, with security officers and metal detectors in place during summer programming. WOIO reported on those safety steps last year.
Repairs, Staffing And The Master Plan
The city’s 15-year Cleveland Parks & Recreation Plan outlines where capital investments, staffing increases and maintenance standards should be focused, and it calls for clearer reporting loops for repairs. The master plan and the city’s amenity matrices identify sites such as Glendale and Kerruish for phased work and equity-focused investment. Nichols was sworn in as director in October 2024, according to City Council records, and city leaders say the department will lean on the plan to sequence repairs while expanding programming.
