Question: Why is Shaker’s rec center called Thornton Park?
Answer: It’s Charles A. Thornton Park, to be exact.
In Shaker’s earliest days, most public recreational activities took place on corner lots and school grounds.
As a Shaker school principal in the 1920s, Charles Thornton supervised summer activities for children on school grounds and was the City’s director of playgrounds. He requested that the Shaker Heights Fire Department flood a vacant lot so children could ice skate – a winter tradition still enjoyed today.
In addition to being a science teacher and administrator at Moreland Elementary and the high school for three decades, Thornton was considered Shaker Heights’ best advocate for and its decades-long leader of recreation. The City formally appointed him as its first full-time recreation director in 1956, a position he officially held for just a year before his retirement.
When Thornton Park was dedicated in 1958, it was named for Charles Thornton to honor his years of service. The 12-acre park began with the sledding hill that still faces Farnsleigh Road, along with plans to construct a swimming pool. The pool opened in 1962 and tennis courts followed soon after.
In 1964, the Recreation Department polled residents about the desire for an indoor ice rink, which was ultimately opened in late 1968. In 1969, after years of controversy, the pool and ice rink were opened to Cleveland residents who resided in the Shaker Heights school district.
In recent years, the Recreation Department has looked beyond Thornton Park to develop public parks and amenities for the next century of recreation here. Right now, with resident input in surveys and meetings, the City is undertaking a Recreation Strategic Plan which will evaluate recreation possibilities at Shaker Heights Middle School, Chelton Park/Shaker School District Bus Depot, and the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building/Colonnade area.
For the latest information on the strategic plan, see shakerheightsoh.gov/RecreationPlan
If you’ve had a burning question about Shaker’s beginnings, transitions, or unique landmarks, let us know at shaker.mag@shakerheightsoh.gov.
We might not be able to answer all questions, but your curiosity will help us start the digging.
Shaker Life appreciates research assistance for this article from staff of the Shaker Historical Society and Shaker Heights Public Library.
