Last September, members of the Friends of Cudell Commons Park group were granted a temporary restraining order preventing CMSD from proceeding with the construction of a new Marion-Seltzer Elementary school on what is now Cudell Commons Park. CMSD’s plans would result in the loss of 44% of the Park’s greenspace, the basketball courts in the northeastern corner of the park, and the destruction of 40 mature trees. 

SMC's team got involved in late 2023 supporting the #SaveCudellPark team and their efforts for environmental justice. No we are doing park clean-ups and protests to support Cudell's legacy and our community park. 

After hearing two days of testimony including closing arguments regarding our request for a preliminary injunction, Judge Nancy Russo recused herself from the case, citing a conflict of interest. The case was reassigned to Judge Ashley Kilbane who recently ruled against the preliminary injunction and vacated the TRO, saying in part, "Plaintiffs' claims of harm only discuss the removal of trees, and mature trees; but they do not address how they would still be irreparably harmed after new trees are planted and grow into mature trees." This type of illogical reasoning is exactly why Cleveland continues to lose its tree canopy at an alarming rate.