The 30 gas-powered lawnmowers residents exchanged for electric-powered mowers

that will be scrapped by the City.

Cleveland Heights Holds First Lawnmower Exchange to Improve Air Quality and Lung Health

Second lawnmower exchange to be held in a few weeks

On Thursday, May 11, in an effort to improve air quality, protect lung health, and encourage eco-friendly lawn care, the City of Cleveland Heights held its first-ever lawnmower exchange.

Thirty Cleveland Heights residents who applied and were randomly selected to participate in the program brought their old gas-powered mowers to the Cleveland Heights Community Center, where Mayor Kahlil Seren and city staff traded them for new, fully assembled DeWalt electric-powered mowers.

Residents bringing their old gas-powered lawnmowers to the Cleveland Heights Community Center.

“In addition to being a driver of climate change, air pollution is a serious threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable groups like seniors, children, and people with pulmonary issues like asthma,” Mayor Seren said. “Our new lawnmower exchange program will help Cleveland Heights become a more lung-friendly city by taking 30 gas-powered mowers out of our neighborhoods and encouraging other residents to follow suit.”

The electric-powered lawnmowers received by exchange participants.

The response from residents was so overwhelming that Mayor Seren announced at yesterday's event that the city will hold a second lawnmower exchange in a few weeks.

“So many people wanted to participate in this program that we had to close applications nine minutes after opening—we had already maxed out,” Mayor Seren said. “That kind of interest justifies another opportunity for residents to participate.”

"So many people wanted to participate in this program that we had to close applications nine minutes after opening..."

Cleveland Heights will hold a second lawnmower exchange in a few weeks.

(Watch this newsletter for more information)

Cleveland Heights announced the lawnmower exchange on World Asthma Day, May 2, 2023, as part of its observance of Air Quality Awareness Week (May 1–5).

Poor air quality is a major trigger for asthma, which affects nearly 1 out of 13 school-age children and is the leading cause of school absenteeism due to chronic illness in the U.S. Switching from gas-powered to electric-powered lawnmowers is one way to help improve local air quality and protect lung health.

“Gas-powered lawn mowers may seem harmless to residents, however, they emit pollutants that can lead to diseases of the lungs and heart...

Making the switch to battery-powered mowers is a healthier and safer option."

Cuyahoga County Board of Health Commissioner Roderick Harris, DrPH

Cleveland Heights contacted its partners for the lawnmower exchange program, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and MetroHealth, and used funds provided by the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) to purchase 30 electric-powered mowers at a discounted price.

It then solicited applications from residents who were willing to exchange their working gas-powered mowers and randomly selected thirty applicants to participate in Thursday's event.

Gas-powered lawnmowers contribute disproportionately to poor air quality. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, running the average gas mower for one hour produces 11 times more air pollution than running the average new car for the same amount of time.

Electric-powered lawnmowers are far healthier. Compared to gas mowers, electric lawnmowers emit:

• 50% less carbon dioxide
• 3,300 times fewer hydrocarbons
• 5,000 times less carbon monoxide

To ensure they are permanently removed as a pollution source, Cleveland Heights will scrap all of the gas-powered mowers exchanged by residents.

Above: Mayor Seren accepting a resident's old lawnmower. Right: Residents checking in for the exchange.

While other programs encouraging the switch to electric-powered mowers offer vouchers or reimbursements covering a portion of residents’ costs, Cleveland Heights’ lawnmower exchange program is the only local program where residents incur no out-of-pocket costs. Cleveland Heights’ program is a one-to-one exchange that relieves residents of the burden of having to scrap their old mowers.

Cleveland Heights residents who were unable to participate in the lawnmower exchange may still take part in Cuyahoga County's electric lawnmower rebate program, which is administered by the City of Cleveland’s Department of Health. This program offers a $100 rebate gift card on the purchase of an electric lawnmower if you scrap your old gas-powered lawnmower. You can learn about this program at Electric Lawn Mower Rebate Program.

Residents learning about their new mowers.

For more information about the City of Cleveland Heights’ Air Quality Awareness Week activities, including its creation of a new local air quality monitoring network (see Day 5 below), please visit:

• Day 1, May 1, 2023—Wildfires and Air Quality
• Day 2, May 2, 2023—Asthma and Your Health
• Day 3, May 3, 2023—Air Quality and Transportation
• Day 4, May 4, 2023—Air Quality and Climate
• Day 5, May 5, 2023—Participatory Science

Watermain Work Coming to E. Overlook Road

Watermain work is coming soon to E. Overlook Road between Euclid Heights Boulevard and Coventry Road. Residents should receive information from the contractor within the next two weeks.

Meet Your Police

Thursday, May 18, 2023

6:00–8:00 pm

The next Meet Your Police will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 6:00–8:00 pm at Cleveland Heights City Hall, Lower Level.

Residents are encouraged to attend and speak with an officer about any questions, concerns, or complaints.

Heights Libraries Hosts

Dementia-Friendly Cleveland Heights Week

May 15-20

Lee Road Branch

Last year, Cleveland Heights was designated a Dementia-Friendly Community by Dementia Friendly America.

To celebrate and continue advocating for residents in our community, Heights Libraries is hosting a Dementia-Friendly Cleveland Heights event May 15-20, 2023.

See the schedule of Dementia-Friendly Events

Read a column about dementia on HeightsObserver.org by Kristin Brooks

Read an article about the week on ClevelandJewishNews.com

Read the brochure for the week by clicking on the image to the right.

The Feinberg Art Gallery at Cain Park Presents

Community: All Access 

A Collaboration with The Cleveland Institute of Art

May 19–July 22, 2023

Opening Reception

Friday, May 19, 2023

6:00–8:00 pm

Music by classical guitarist Doug Wood

Wine & cheese reception provided by

The Wine Spot & Marchant Manor Cheese

Bringing together the graduating class of 2023 from CIA, this exhibition aims to display the wide breadth of work from emerging visual artists. Community is both in reference to the community of students coming together for this show and also the notion that it will be shown in a community park setting. We are hoping to engage a broader audience beyond Cleveland's art community. Community in the classroom is contained when compared to being a professional artist out in the world. This exhibition stands as our entry into that new sphere.

The Cleveland Institute of Art is one of the premier art schools in the country, its students produce work that is on the pulse of what is happening in the art world. This is an ongoing collaboration between Cain Park and the CIA; both institutions are striving to keep the arts in the Greater Cleveland Area relevant, accessible, and thriving.

Judy Collins

With the Cain Park Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, May 20

8:00 pm

First Cain Park Wine Tasting will be held

Prior to the Judy Collins Concert

2023 Wine Tastings at Cain Park

In Partnership with The Wine Spot

Explore the world of wines before select concerts with a Cain Park Wine Tasting. Ticket holders can enjoy six delicious wines hand-picked to complement each show. 

Details

• Wine-tasting tickets are an add-on to your concert ticket. You must have a ticket to the event to attend a wine tasting. You are able to buy tickets online through Etix or by calling the Cain Park Box Office. Wine Tasting tickets will show up as an "add-on" option if you are buying online. If you have already purchased an event ticket and would like to add a Wine Tasting ticket, you must call the Cain Park Box Office: 216-371-3000.

• Wine Tastings will be held on the Colonnade from 6:30–7:45 pm in the Cain Park Colonnade. Wine ticket holders get early access to Cain Park!

• Wine-tasting participants must be 21 or older. ID is required.

• Each Wine Tasting ticket comes with a commemorative wine glass!

• 2023 wine tastings are limited to 50 people.

We Are Noble 23

Friday, May 19–Sunday, May 21, 2023

Mark your calendars! The We Are Noble celebration returns this month! For more information, please visit www.nobleneighbors.com.

And the Noble Gardeners' Market will return this August and September!

Tiger 5k and Fun Run

Saturday, May 20, at 9:00 am

Heights High School

City Council Meetings—Week of May 8, 2023

Cleveland Heights City Council held a Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Council Committee of the Whole

Next Cleveland Heights City Council Meetings

Cleveland Heights City Council will hold a Committee of the Whole Meeting at 6:00 pm, on Monday, May 15, 2023, in the Executive Conference Room of Cleveland Heights City Hall.

The next full meeting of the Cleveland Heights City Council is scheduled for the same day at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers.

These meetings will be streamed live and may be viewed on the City's YouTube channel. The agendas for the meetings may be found on the City's website.

Next Week at Cleveland Heights City Hall

MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023

Municipal Services and Environmental Sustainability Committee of Council

10:00 am

Executive Conference Room

Cleveland Heights Police Department

End of Watch Ceremony

2:00 pm

In front of Cleveland Heights City Hall

Planning and Development Committee of Council

5:00 pm

Executive Conference Room

Council Committee of the Whole

6:00 pm

Executive Conference Room

City Council Meeting

7:30 pm

Council Chambers

TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

6:30 pm

Community Center

Architectural Board of Review

7:00 pm

Council Chambers

Citizens Advisory Committee—Public Hearing

7:00 pm

Executive Conference Room

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023

Board of Zoning Appeals

Canceled

Racial Justice Task Force—Housing and Economic Opportunity Subcommittee

7:00 pm

Online

THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023

Meet Your Police

6:00 to 8:00 pm

City Hall Lower Level

FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023

Commission on Aging

9:30 am

Senior Activity Center

SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023

Shredding Day

9:00 am to Noon

City Hall

Opportunities

The City of Cleveland Heights is Hiring!

Job openings in the Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and other departments may be found on the Cleveland Heights Job Opportunities webpage.

-- All Are Welcome --

#ClevelandHeights

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www.clevelandheights.gov