Southpark Square Senior Apartments provides a safe, tranquil environment for seniors who want to remain independent

By Ken McEntee

“I feel like I’m on vacation at a hotel,” a smiling Rosemary R.
shares during a recent conversation in the festively adorned sitting area, where residents chat and watch TV at the new Southpark Square Senior Apartments, in Strongsville.

Rosemary was one of the first residents to move into the 55-and-over community when it opened in June. She liked her new home so much that she almost immediately became Southpark Square’s co-activities coordinator, along with her across-the-hall neighbor, Pam L.

“There is so much to do here,” marvels Rosemary, who moved from a 2,400 square-foot condo in Painesville to be close to her son a couple of years after her husband passed on.

“My son lives three minutes away,” she says. “When I saw in April that this place was opening up, it was a no-brainer.”

The location is just as convenient for Southpark Square’s other residents, insists David Woodrum, district manager of Clover Management, which operates Southpark Square and four other senior living communities in Northeast Ohio, with a new facility in Lorain soon to open.

“SouthPark Mall is right across the street and all of the shopping and dining you could need is nearby on Royalton and Pearl Roads,” David says of the apartments, which are quietly tucked away off Howe Road.

And, Rosemary adds, Strongsville’s Senior Wheels shuttle service provides free transportation to the city’s senior center.

However, David says, about half of Southpark Square residents drive their own cars.

“This is not assisted living,” he emphasizes.

“Most of our residents are very active, but want to live in a peaceful, safe environment where they don’t have to worry about mowing the lawn or doing routine maintenance. One reason why our rent is so affordable is because we don’t include three meals a day in our lease. Many senior communities include three meals per day in their lease, and they charge between $2,000 and $4,000 per month.”

At Clover communities, you can eat where and when you want to, and one- and two-bedroom units start at $895 per month—all utilities included, even electric and cable.

“Other senior living communities are nice, and the food may be good, but they charge a high price for the benefit of included meals,” David laments.

“We offer a delicious, budget-friendly alternative.”

Southpark Square’s one- and two-bedroom apartments are spacious and include a stacked washer and dryer.

“Many people like to bring their dinettes and china cabinets from their house,” David says.

“That’s one reason why our apartments are designed to optimize living area. They feature an open floor plan with roomy kitchens, walk-in showers, grab bars and other conveniences.”

The communities offer on-site beauty salons and fitness rooms, and have large community rooms where residents can gather for games, movies, parties and other social functions. Residents who want to host a large gathering can reserve the “family room.”

“I feel like we’re all family here,” Rosemary says. “I always tell David that he’s like another son to me.”

Southpark Square is located at 15101 Howe Road, in Strongsville. You can find more information at CloverGroupInc.com/senior-apartment-communities/southpark-square-senior-apartments-54. Other Clover senior living communities are located in Parma, Willoughby Hills, Twinsburg, Medina and, soon, Lorain.