Slavic Village Root Restoration

On once-vacant parcels of land, rows of tulip poplars stretch toward the sky. Beneath the surface, their roots are doing quiet but powerful work; drawing pollutants like lead from the soil through a natural process called phytoremediation. What looks like a simple grove of trees is, in fact, a living clean-up crew.

In 2023, Trust for Public Land received seed funding through a Cleveland Tree Coalition grant to test an idea: Could trees help transform vacant lots into healthier, greener community spaces? In 2024, that idea became reality as the first trees went into the ground, launching a proof-of-concept that nature itself can help heal urban land.

Today, TPL owns the parcels and continues soil testing and community engagement to determine what comes next. The project is laying the groundwork for something bigger. As Cleveland looks toward future rounds of funding, this site is being considered as a potential home for a pocket forest, part of TPL’s growing Pocket Forest Initiative, which transforms underused urban land into dense, biodiverse native forests designed to maximize environmental and community benefits.

Slavic Village is a locally managed example of how small forests can deliver big returns—cleaner soil, cooler streets, improved air quality, and renewed neighborhood pride. It marks the beginning of a long-term investment in land, health, and opportunity. Together with the community, Cleveland is showing how cities can restore ecosystems block by block, creating cleaner soil today and stronger neighborhoods for generations to come.