MANSFIELD – The honking of geese and nearby car horns filling the sweltering air at Liberty Park as city representatives celebrated the planting of the city’s Heritage Tree.
The tree was planted Friday morning as part of the Heritage Trees: Planting History program under America 250-Ohio, the commission responsible for the state’s celebrations of America’s semiquincentennial.
“I look forward to folks for generations being able to take some shade under this tree, which we could use today,” Mayor Jodie Perry said.
The tree is a swamp oak. Native to Ohio, swamp oaks can live for centuries alongside water. It’s unique among the park’s other trees; most are hemlocks and maples.
The Heritage Trees initiative started in Lima on Arbor Day 2025. The initiative will plant trees in all 88 Ohio counties by year’s end.
The initiative drew inspiration from Boston’s Liberty Tree during the Revolutionary War. The Liberty Tree was planted in 1686 and used as a key meeting place for revolutionaries and protesters.
A quote from America’s 20th president, James A. Garfield, marks the tree’s accompanying plaque: “The oak’s strength is in its roots, as is ours,” it says.
“The country has really strong roots that have protected it for the last 250 years,” Perry said. “Lots of different political leaders have come and gone in that time, but you know the central tenets of the democracy have stayed true … America is always stronger when we’re working together.”
The tree also stands as a symbol for Mansfield’s efforts to strengthen its own community through its parks.
“This particular park, Liberty, has a lot of history because it was done by the community,” said Mansfield Director of Public Works Louis Andres. “(The city’s residents started) fundraisers and raised this park.”
Park revitalization has been a key point in Perry’s tenure as mayor. The city recently opened a disc golf course at Middle Park, which reopened during Perry’s time in office.
“One of the things that I heard most from residents when I was running for office was just frustration at where our parks were,” Perry said.
“So there’s been a lot of catch-up happening … and I really wanted to take that further and make sure that it’s not just catch-up, but that we’re adding to the parks.”
Work is also underway to turn Liberty Park’s old bathhouse into a pavilion.
“This is a major restoration that we’re doing,” Andres said. “We hope to get this done by the end of October and have a dedication for it.”
Moving forward, generations of Mansfield residents will be able to watch Liberty Park’s heritage tree grow.
“Planting a heritage tree is an investment in the future of our community,” Parks Superintendent Mike Woogard said.
“The trees we plant today will provide beauty, shade and environmental benefits for generations to come. We’re proud to continue Richland County’s commitment to preserving our natural heritage and enhancing Liberty Park.”
