MANSFIELD — Something is stirring at Liberty Park and its not just the winter winds.

The city of Mansfield has launched a restoration project at one of its most historic parks, focusing on environmental renewal, historic preservation and expanded opportunities for community use.

Pond dredging underway

Crews have begun dredging the Liberty Park pond, using city employees and equipment. The work will remove decades of accumulated sediment and organic material that are reducing the pond’s depth and limited water circulation.

Mansfield Public Works Director Louis Andres said restoring the pond’s depth plays a critical role in the revitalization project.

“Removing that sediment restores the health of the pond,” Andres said. “It improves water circulation, supports aquatic life, and keeps the ecosystem functioning the way it should.”

The dredging process is expected to take four to five weeks, weather permitting. Andres said colder winter conditions make dredging more efficient, as frozen ground allows crews to remove material more effectively than during warmer months.

Instead of hauling the dredged sediment offsite, the city is repurposing it to fill the former Liberty Park pool. That area will become a native planting zone as part of the park’s long-term ecological restoration plan.

“The final phase of this work is planting,” Andres said. “We’re working with Rewild Liberty, which has already begun restoring native plantings in the park over the last few years.”

Rewild Liberty is a community-led initiative dedicating itself to restoring the environment within Liberty Park.

Bathhouse restoration planned

In addition to the pond work, the city is moving forward with restoration of the historic WPA bathhouse, originally constructed in 1937. Earlier this year, Quality Stone Construction completed structural repairs to stabilize the building.

Related content

The upcoming phase will preserve the bathhouse’s historic character while updating it for modern community use.

Plans include accessibility improvements, interior upgrades, public restrooms, a catering kitchen and a meeting space — originally designed as a clubhouse.

“We are going to turn it into an outdoor pavilion,” Andres said.

Scout Construction of Mansfield is the apparent low bidder for the bathhouse project. Andres said the next step is to certify the contractor to ensure the project meets all requirements before finalizing timelines and material orders. Construction is expected to begin around April.

“The goal is to bring this space back to what it was designed for,” Andres said. “Birthday parties, park programs, retirement celebrations — bringing people together.”

Funding and project timeline

Andres said they hope to see the project finished by the end of fall 2026. 

The revitalization project is funded through a combination of grants and city capital improvement funds.

Funding includes $206,000 from the Richland County Foundation, $200,000 from the Milliron Foundation, and $125,000 from the Mansfield City Parks capital improvement budget.

Project bids came in just under available funding, allowing the city to move forward with the initial phase while keeping opportunities open for future donations.

The project has already secured more than half of its total funding. City parks staff and union workers are completing the dredging portion of the project in-house, further reducing costs.

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) has also provided additional environmental restoration funding.

Community involvement encouraged

Community engagement remains a key part of the revitalization effort. Volunteer opportunities — including native planting days and park clean-up days will be available in the future.

“We’re excited to bring new life to one of Mansfield’s most historic city parks,” Andres said. “This project protects our natural resources, restores a beloved landmark, and creates new opportunities for recreation and community events.”

As part of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, Richland County plans to plant a commemorative white oak tree at Liberty Park on Memorial Day weekend.

(More photos from the Liberty Park revitalization project. Provided by the City of Mansfield.)