PEACE Park sledding hill is closed this winter

The Coventry PEACE Park sledding hill in November. The hill will remain closed through spring, to prevent erosion of the hillside.

Sledding at Coventry PEACE Park is a popular winter activity for residents of Cleveland Heights and surrounding communities. Not as big as Cain Park’s sledding hill, the PEACE Park hill nevertheless attracts crowds of kids and families each year—drawn not just to the hill but also the playground next to it. Add to that easy parking, and plenty of restaurants close by for an after-sledding snack, and you have the makings of a perfect winter day.

This winter, however, will be a little different due to Heights Libraries’ comprehensive renovation of the park.

While the new playground, accessible sidewalks, and storybook loop are scheduled to open Feb. 16, the sledding hill will remain cordoned off.  

“We know how eager folks are to get back to sledding at the PEACE Park, and we want to reassure everyone that the sledding hill will be back next year, the same size as before,” said Heights Libraries Director Nancy Levin. “But the hillside needs time for the grass to grow in and stabilize to prevent erosion and runoff of topsoil.”

This prevention of erosion in the excavated construction site at the PEACE Park is called “over-winter stabilization,” and is necessary to ensure compliance with Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 940, “Soil and Water Conservation Commission,” and with the Cuyahoga County Storm Management Plan.

The area will be reseeded in the spring, and it is anticipated that the grass will be sufficiently established to allow for access by the end of May, just in time for summer.