Residents Push Back as Doan Brook Restoration Moves Forward at Horseshoe Park

The $31 million project to remove a failing dam and restore the natural stream channel faces opposition from community members who value the existing Shaker Lakes.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:35am

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The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's plan to remove the failing dam at Horseshoe Park and restore the Doan Brook is moving forward, despite opposition from dozens of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights residents who rallied against the project. Critics argue the plan will destroy the beloved Shaker Lakes, which they say are central to the community's identity, and that the public input process has been misleading.

Why it matters

The Doan Brook Restoration project aims to address safety concerns around the failing dam, but residents are pushing back, arguing the plan will irreparably harm the Shaker Lakes that have long been an integral part of the local community and its social fabric.

The details

The $31 million Doan Brook Restoration plan includes removing the dam, relocating the stream channel to its historic path, and adding new park amenities like an outdoor classroom, nature play area, overlooks, and trails. However, the project also requires removing around 1,065 trees, which critics say will not be adequately replaced by the 1,106 new trees planned. Opponents argue the lakes are central to the community's identity and that the public input process has been misleading.

  • In 2021, the cities of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights approved the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's recommendation to remove the dam and restore Doan Brook.
  • Last week, the Sewer District received the final Memorandum of Agreement for signature from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, clearing the way for the project to move forward.
  • Work on the project is expected to start later this year.

The players

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

The agency responsible for the Doan Brook Restoration project, which aims to address safety concerns around the failing dam at Horseshoe Park.

Amy Weinfurtner

A Shaker Lakes activist who is leading opposition to the project, arguing the plan will destroy the beloved lakes that are central to the community's identity.

Jenn Elting

A spokeswoman for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, who explained that safety is the driving factor behind the project.

City of Shaker Heights

A city government that approved the Doan Brook Restoration plan in 2021, but is now facing pushback from residents.

City of Cleveland Heights

A city government that also approved the Doan Brook Restoration plan in 2021, alongside Shaker Heights.

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What they’re saying

“The premise that you destroy something to then replant something is not a restoration.”

— Amy Weinfurtner, Shaker Lakes activist

“The dam at Horseshoe Lake is a failing, Class One high-hazard dam, which means that if that dam were to fail, there would be probable loss of life downstream.”

— Jenn Elting, Spokeswoman, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

“They're just absolutely shocked that these lakes are going away. They are integral to the social fabric. They are integral to the entire space of this neighborhood.”

— Amy Weinfurtner, Shaker Lakes activist

What’s next

Work on the Doan Brook Restoration project at Horseshoe Park is expected to begin later this year, despite ongoing opposition from some community members.

The takeaway

The Doan Brook Restoration project highlights the tension between addressing critical infrastructure needs and preserving beloved community spaces. While the Sewer District argues the dam removal is necessary for public safety, residents are fighting to save the Shaker Lakes, which they view as central to the identity and social fabric of the local community.