WiFi Enabled Benches Installed In Shaker Heights Park

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — The city has recently installed two brand new, high tech, solar powered, phone charging, park benches in Hildana Park on Chagrin Boulevard, west of Lee Road in the Moreland neighborhood. The new benches, called Soofa, are the product of an MIT spinoff also called Soofa. The benches also provide internet access to citizens.

“Shaker Heights is a progressive community keeping an eye on the demand for today’s technology. Expanding connectivity into a public park seemed like a great place to get the ball rolling,” says Council Member Anne Williams, chair of the neighborhood revitalization committee in a statement.

The benches are part of the Moreland Rising initiative which seeks to equip the Moreland neighborhood with tools to meet the challenges of the 21st century. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Shaker Heights newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

A study found that Hildana Park was uninviting to visitors, and was not frequently visited. The city wanted to correct that. The Soofa benches fit that need.

The benches are able to provide WiFi through Verizon, the city says.

The city will host an event to introduce the benches to the community.

Photo by Vicki Blank