The Grand Dedication of the highly anticipated, new Polish Heritage Garden at the Polish American Cultural Center at 6501 Lansing Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio in Slavic Village took place on November 11, 2018.

Part of the new Polish Heritage Garden

This beautiful gated outdoor garden will present Poland's history century by century with permanent comprehensive placards situated along a circular brick walkway. This special garden is designed for future educational and celebratory events for all Cleveland Polonia and their guests to enjoy.

The dedication began outside in the Garden. Project leader Gene Bak welcomed the crowd.

Gene Bak speaking at the dedication of the Polish Heritage Garden

Gene introduced Fr. Jerzy Kusy to bless the new Garden.

Blessing the new Polish Heritage Garden

Fr. Jerzy Kusy blessing the new Garden

Blessing the new Polish Heritage Garden

Councilman Tony Brancatelli, City of Cleveland Chief of Regional Development Ed Rybka, Eugenia Stolarczyk, Fr. Jerzy Kusy and Gene Bak then cut the ribbon to officially open the Garden.

NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.

Cutting the ribbon at the new Polish Heritage Garden

The ceremony moved inside the Center where it was warmer and Gene Bak spoke first in Polish and then in English about the new addition.

Gene Bak

City of Cleveland Chief of Regional Development Ed Rybka represented Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and presented a proclamation to Gene Bak on the occasion.

City of Cleveland Chief of Regional Development Ed Rybka

Speakers at the Polish Heritage Garden dedication

Cleveland City Councilman Tony Brancatelli, County Land Bank leader Gus Frangos and City Council President Kevin Kelley spoke next and congratulated the community on the new Garden.

Cleveland City Councilman Tony Brancatelli

County Land Bank leader Gus Frangos

City Council President Kevin Kelley

Gene Bak, Kevin Kelley, Gus Frangos,
Tony Brancatelli and Ed Rybka

Presenting a proclamation from City Council

Then, Gene Bak introduced the designer of the Garden, Kathy Jankowski.

Kathy Jankowski

In closing, Gene Bak told of the 27 placards that tell the story of Polish History for over 1000 years.

Gene Bak

Pope John Paul II placard

Solidarity Placard

See the 27 placards in the Polish Heritage Garden

Delicious Polish food was served to the guests and many then ventured back outside to examine the placards more closely.

Congratulations to the Polish community on the new Polish Heritage Garden.

Enjoy these other images from the dedication.

Bernadette Zubel with visitors from Columbus

Part of the large crowd at the Dedication

Some of the Dignitaries at the Polish Heritage Garden Dedication

Tony Brancatelli, Gus Frangos, Gene Bak and Ed Rybka

Some of the bricks honoring people and families
(Note - bricks are still available.
Visit http://www.polishcenterofcleveland.org/polish-heritage-garden-brick-by-brick/

Ed Rybka checking out his family bricks

Gene Bak being interviewed in the new Garden

Enjoying the new Polish Heritage Garden

Be sure to visit the Museum inside the Polish Cultural Center

Want to learn about ethnic and cultural events in Cleveland such as this? Sign up for the free eNews and every Tuesday evening you will receive a free e-mail listing the next week's events. It's easy and free.

Select 'WEEKLY' when you fill out the form for the free weekly eNews.
***

Top of Page

Back to Cleveland Poles

See the 27 placards in the Polish Heritage Garden

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact us.