Longtime Cleveland Firefighter Lt. Richard Petras Honored with Playground Naming and Ribbon-cutting on September 14 in Ward 17

Sep 14, 2022

Cleveland (Sept. 14, 2022) - Ward 17 Council member Charles Slife and community members will be on hand to celebrate the opening of the new Lt. Richard Petras Playground at Drakefield Park. The Lt. Richard Petras Playground is the only firefighter-themed playground in Cleveland. The new playground honors the memory of Cleveland Fire’s Lt. Richard Petras. Lt. Petras passed away in August 2020 of COVID-19 complications. He served the residents of Cleveland for 26 years as a firefighter and as a part-time paramedic for Cleveland Clinic. His commitment to Cleveland was only eclipsed by his dedication to his wife Jill and his twin daughters, Ashley and Amber. 

Lt. Petras spent much quality time with his daughters in their youth at the Drakefield Park Playground. Days before Lt. Petras’ passing, he emailed Council member Slife lamenting the quality of the playground and asking the member to make improvements to the playground so more children would use it. To honor Lt. Petras’ memory, Council member Slife immediately acted on his request. 

Councilman Slife stated in advance of the ribbon-cutting, “Tonight’s ribbon-cutting pays honor to a true hero. Lt. Petras was a community pillar and served Cleveland for nearly three decades. We’re keeping his memory going with the dedication of this new playground. I know he’s smiling down on us, and I hope this playground keeps young people active and entertained while also inspiring them to serve their community.”

Date: September 14, 2022

Time: 6:00 pm

Location: Silsby and Drakefield Roads

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