MANSFIELD, Ohio, Aug. 18, 2022 – A capital campaign has officially kicked off for an expansive 20-acre, all-inclusive park and playground in Mansfield – the largest of its kind in the State of Ohio.
The Community Park for All at Sterkel Park off Hillcrest Street will serve children and adults of all ages and abilities throughout north central Ohio. The Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant playground will feature five, age-appropriate zones with equipment and opportunities to enhance children’s mobility and sensory skills, challenge athletic users, support senior citizen activities, and unite families. These zones will include:
· Pavilion, picnic tables and grills
· Pickle ball courts and multi-purpose field
· Ground-level play equipment for children of all abilities
· Outdoor fitness area
· 26-foot-tall Sky Tower activity center for kids 5 years and older
· Play equipment and nature play area for children 2 years and up
· Challenge obstacle course for teenagers and adults
· Year-round, mile-long walking path
“Everyone, no matter their age or disability, deserves a place to play, socialize and have fun – this park will have it all,” said Michele Giess, superintendent, Richland County Developmental Disabilities Board (Newhope).
A consortium of three organizations – City of Mansfield, Newhope, and the Chamber’s Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) – have worked with equipment vendors to create this special park for Richland County residents and beyond.
“Children with physical and emotional disabilities, autism and sensory processing disorders are often excluded from participating in basic playground activities. The
equipment, trails and playground areas within this park will remove barriers and enhance the overall quality of life for residents across our region,” Giess said.
The park is centrally located within the city’s largest residential areas and within a short distance of Newhope Raintree, Catalyst Life Services’ Rehab Center, medical offices and the YMCA of North Central Ohio, creating easy access for hundreds of children and adults.
“This will be known as Mansfield’s premier park,” said Mark Abrams, superintendent of Mansfield parks. “Allowing residents to socialize and play regardless of ability level is something you won’t find in most cities. This park will enable the City of Mansfield to attract new families and investment opportunities to the community, especially as cities like Columbus expand their business developments north,” Abrams said.
Abrams’ hope is that visitors from outside the area come to enjoy the park and engage in Mansfield’s other community attractions, too.
Nearly $3 million has already been raised for the $5.4 million Park Project through donations from the Family and Children First Council, Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities-Newhope, the Sterkel Foundation, the City of Mansfield, the State of Ohio, the Richard and Arline Landers Foundation, the Richland County Commissioners, the Ashland County Community Foundation – Taylor Fund and the Richland County Foundation – Gross Fund.
The community is now being asked by Campaign leader Chriss Harris to help complete the fund-raising efforts.
“This is a community-wide funding effort, and that makes this campaign very unique,” Harris said. “It’s for our children of all abilities, so we are hopeful that most people can give something to ensure this park becomes a reality.”
“Creating a special playground of this size for citizens of all ages and ability levels requires state-of-the-art equipment. Through donations, we can reach our fund-raising goal and begin construction next spring,” Giess said.
The park will be built in phases as money is donated. Giess is hoping enough funds are raised to complete the project by late 2023.
For more information on the Park Project, contact Harris at chrissharis@embarqmail.com.
Donations can be made online at the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce website at www.richlandareachamber.com under “Park”. Donations by check can be made payable to RCDG-Park Project in care of Richland Newhope, 314 Cleveland Ave., Mansfield, OH 44902.
Additional Information:
· Community leaders, elected officials, and philanthropists were on hand for the campaign kick off during a special event Aug. 18 at Sterkel Park.
· Sterkel Park has been in the Mansfield park system for decades. The Southwest Little League program has the part of the park off Scholl Road while the soon-to-be newly renovated part of the park is located off Hillcrest Street.
· There are more than 23,000 senior citizens residing in the Mansfield area and 13,000 disabled individuals in Richland County.
· The park is named after the late philanthropist Justine Sterkel, who had owned the land off Lexington Avenue and fought to keep the land for public institutions of charity.
· The park is in the center of the City of Mansfield off Hillcrest Street. It will have new accessible trails from locations off Scholl Road and off Cook Road. A new parking area is being developed at the park.
· At 26 feet tall, the Sky Tower takes up over 1,200 square feet of space. This play area creates a sensation of climbing through the sky, providing children with a bird’s-eye view of the world.