MANSFIELD — The origin of the rebirth of city parks in Mansfield over the last few years can be traced to a nearly century-old, 24-acre site off Grace Street.
That’s where a public-private partnership has injected new life into Liberty Park, fitting since it’s a place created in 1936 by the people who lived on the northeast side of the city.
The park’s new vibrancy will be on display again Saturday during the second-annual Summer Sun Fest from noon to 5 p.m., an event organizers say will offer something for everyone.
The event itself is a continuation of the public-private partnership that helped lead to the first Sun Fest in 2024.
Angel Singleton, the city parks recreation coordinator, has teamed with Paco Blanton of Rewild Liberty Park and local arts and community organizer Victoria Hoefler to put together five hours of free fun for the entire community.
“It’s more of the rebirth of Liberty Park, in that vein. We just wanted it to have an earthy feel and it’s kind of a holistic vibe … something very positive in the climate we’re in right now,” Singleton said.
The event will include lots of recreational opportunities, including a youth basketball tournament on the courts installed last year; sack races; a tug-of-war; the chance to play baseball on the newly redone field; and also an opportunity to join in the fun at the DIY skatepark.
Food trucks will also be available, a staple of community events these days, including the Weh Yah Nyam Food Trailer, the Star Spangled Express and The Food Tour.
But the event will also offer more ways to learn and interact with one another and the environment.
There will be yoga and reiki demonstrations. Farm-to-table cooking demonstrations. Sustainable energy demonstrations and examples of alternative energy. A look at urban farming will be included, as will holistic health and wellness workshops and lectures.
“Anything that can create a more positive community for us … a more positive life for individuals,” Hoefler said.
“We have got people doing recycled art. We have a gentleman, Dave Duncan, one of the most knowledgeable bee experts, around here is bringing in honey and will talk about that,” she said.
Officials with the Richland Soil & Water Conservation District will also participate.
“They will talk about who they are and what they do. I don’t think people really realize they do everything for the earth,” Hoefler said.
Representatives from a solar farm near Shelby will also attend and discuss their successful local efforts, Hoefler said.
Singleton praised the work of Blanton and his Rewild Liberty Park group.
“Paco came in and breathed a new life kind of in the park. His ideas are definitely fresh and new and his passion, too, and so that’s been cool to watch,” she said.
“From my perspective, (what’s happened at Liberty Park) … it doesn’t get any better than that. That is what is needed, the public-private partnership, to make the community thrive … the park thrive,” she said.
