Dedication of the Polish Heritage Garden Polish American Cultural Center Slavic Village in Cleveland OH November 11, 2018
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
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.
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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
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.
Be sure to visit the Museum inside the Polish Cultural Center
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