Johnston Park Legacy Lives On

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF) – It was a meaningful moment for downtown Cleveland this past week as Johnston Memorial Park officially reopened to the public. 

The newly renovated Johnston Memorial Park was rededicated this past week, nearly a century after it was first gifted to the city. 

Originally donated in 1933 by Mrs. C. L. Hardwick, the land was given in memory of her parents, John T. and Mary Tipton Johnston. 

We spoke with Seth Sumner, the Assistant to the City Manager for Cleveland, about the reopening of the park. Here is what he had to say:

“This park has stood here for now 88 years as a testament to a family that lived in this spot for a long time. This park is part of the heritage of our community. It was the very heart of our community when it was founded.”

At the time, the downtown city block was considered the most valuable undeveloped property for business use. 

But rather than see it go to commercial development, Mrs. Hardwick made a different choice. She wanted Cleveland to have its first city park. 

A peaceful, landscaped retreat in the heart of downtown. 

“There are over 1100 plants that were planted in the park, the gazebo that we’re standing in was completely rebuilt, and then the new pathways to match the historic outlay of what the park was intended to serve for now 88 years,” Sumner stated.

Last Thursday morning, members of the Johnston family, many flying in from across the country, gathered to celebrate the park’s rebirth.

With new landscaping, a refreshed layout, and space for community events, the renovated park honors the original vision while looking toward the future. 

City leaders hope the new Johnston Park will once again become a vibrant centerpiece for downtown life, just as Mrs. Hardwick imagined, all those years ago.