Parma Heights Announces Partnership With Brooklyn Recreation Department

Brooklyn Mayor Richard Balbier, left, and Parma Heights Mayor Michael P. Byrne shake hands on their partnership on the Brooklyn Recreation Center membership

Less than five miles and just over ten minutes separate the cities of Parma Heights and Brooklyn. Beginning June 1, 2011, Parma Heights residents will be able to make that short trip to take advantage of the John M. Coyne Recreation Center and other Brooklyn Recreation Department amenities. "The City of Brooklyn is very excited about the Community Partnership with Parma Heights. I feel the ultimate goal of this partnership will positively affect both our communities. Parma Heights residents will be able to use the Recreation Center at a discounted rate and extend their quality of life. During these tough economic times this partnership will help strengthen Brooklyn’s revenue and possibly expand recreational services to our patrons,” commented Brooklyn Mayor Richard Balbier. 

This is a perfect example of communities working together in an effort to provide better opportunities and increase services to our residents,  I have enjoyed working with Mayor Balbier and the Brooklyn City Council on this partnership and I hope we can find additional projects in which we may form a partnership. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts that my Recreation Director Tom Moran and Brooklyn’s Recreation Director Dane Hammond put forth to see this partnership become a reality. Without their hard work this agreement would not have been reached.

Under the plan, Parma Heights residents will pay program fees that are slightly higher than Brooklyn residents pay but less than non-residents are assessed.  Parma Heights residents will have access to all Brooklyn Recreation amenities not duplicated in Parma Heights.  “We’re not participating in any program that we have and they have,” explained Moran.

Luckily for residents of Parma Heights, that still leaves a wide array of recreation options ranging from the indoor pool with whirlpool, steam room and sauna; ice skating facilities, clubs and competitions; a variety of classes and even a cardiovascular exercise room.

After cutting all the expenses to the bone, all that’s left is the income side and that’s where a marriage with a city like Parma Heights is perfect.  Brooklyn has made cuts like many other cities while trying not to impact resident services. In the past two years, Brooklyn Recreation Department has cut its overhead by close to $500,000 while maintaining and adding services such as the volunteer Buddy Program.

The Buddy Program is a special recreational program for special needs children and their families interested in the sports of baseball, basketball, swimming and ice skating.  Under the program, the play of the sport is adapted to the need of the particular child and participating family members. “It is especially nice that our residents will now have this program available to them,” said Moran.

Complete information on the Brooklyn Recreation Department programs will be posted to the City of Parma Heights website. Residents can also contact the City of Brooklyn Recreation Department at 216-351-5334 or by visiting their website at www.brooklynohio.gov.

“This partnership is what the county has been asking cities to do. When two cities join together for a common goal, the outcome can only be a win-win situation,” said Mayor Balbier.

In recent years, Brooklyn had seen a drop in recreation department membership while Parma Heights residents did not have access to recreational opportunities like an indoor pool or ice rink facility. This is a great situation for both communities, because it opens the doors to Parma Heights residents while allowing Brooklyn to maintain and expand their facilities.