Summer Splash in The Square presented by the Cleveland Foundation starts June 1

Popular free kids program returning for second year, now with expanded hours

Release Date: 5.30.2019

CLEVELAND – Downtown Cleveland’s coolest summer fun program is returning to Public Square for a second year with expanded hours. Summer Splash in the Square presented by the Cleveland Foundation will run daily from 11 AM – 4 PM, adding two hours each day.

This year, kids will be able to participate in even more fun, including activities with returning and new partners such as Cleveland Public Library, The Cleveland Music Settlement, Art House, Upcycle, Holden Forests, Cleveland Monsters, Lake Erie Crushers and others.

Summer Splash in the Square presented by the Cleveland Foundation is offered free for 92 consecutive days from June 1 – August 31.

The program’s goal, according to Group Plan Commission CEO Sanaa Julien, is “To provide active, FREE, programs that allow children the opportunity to spend their summer vacation engaging with other children, their families and a variety of organizations in our community, gaining new skills and enjoying new experiences throughout our beautiful 6-acre public park in the heart of downtown Cleveland. Thanks to the generous support of the Cleveland Foundation, last year, more than 3000 children attended Summer Splash and we anticipate, with added activities and free lunch provided by the City of Cleveland Division of Recreation, that this year’s Summer Splash will be even more popular.” 

“Last summer’s programming on Cleveland Foundation Centennial Plaza made quite the splash,” said Michael Murphy, Chief Marketing Officer, Cleveland Foundation. “It’s wonderful that Greater Cleveland families and visitors will have another reason to come to Public Square this summer to take part in this free programming.”

The program features numerous activities for children 2 – 10 years old. Many of the activities will take place near the splash pad on the Cleveland Foundation Centennial Plaza. Activities include: Yoga, Parachute Play, Dress-Up Relay, Mini-Hoops, Jump Rope and Hula Hoop, Face Painting, Giant Jenga, Red Light/Green Light, Giant Operation, Hopscotch, Giant Checkers, Can-Jam, Chalk Art, Water Tables, KickBall, Frisbee, Simon Says, Four Square, Duck-Duck-Goose, Sack Races.

Summer Splash is a great event for all kinds of families and groups, including  extended families, neighborhood play groups or day camps. The program really caters to a wide range of people interested in keeping their kids active during the summer school break. The only requirement is that parents, guardians and caregivers remain with their children. 

“We are very thankful for the support of the Cleveland Foundation to bring this program to the community,” said Sanaa Julien, CEO of The Group Plan Commission, the non-profit organization that programs, manages and operates Cleveland’s premier public park, Public Square. “Because of the generosity and vision of The Cleveland Foundation, we are able to help thousands of children stay active AND have fun every day of the summer while provide parents with a FREE source of play and learning for their children. 

In addition to the daily activities scheduled, special feature dates include partner activities.

Featured Activity Dates:

  • World Environment Day – June 5
  • Art Exploration with Art House, Inc. – June 20
  • Fitness Day in The Square – June 21
  • MLB All-Star Week, baseball themed activities- July 5 – 9
  • World Emoji Day – July 17
  • Christmas in July – July 25
  • National Book Lovers Day – August 9
  • National Aviation Day – August 19

Food and beverage will be available for sale at Rebol every day and during Food Truck Tuesdays. Families are also encouraged to visit the many Public Square area restaurants and businesses, or pack a picnic lunch and enjoy in The Square during the events.

Traveling to Public Square is easy with RTA.  The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is again offering Kids Ride Free from June 2 – August 10. Up to 3 children can ride RTA buses or trains free with each paying adult.

Planning your Summer Splash in the Square outings is easy. Daily schedules will be posted onclevelandpublicsquare.com/summersplash.

###