As early as the mid-1800s and for 100 years afterward, Central Park was the unifying center for downtown Mansfield. The park was used for public gatherings, events, and served to portray Mansfield’s identity and pride. As times changed, and cars became increasingly popular, however, the park was split in two, literally, and the park has remained divided by Park Avenue ever since. And now, over 50 years later, the romantic yearning to keep one, “unified” Central Park has been rekindled.
The idea? Take Park Avenue, also known as the “cut-through,” out of the park and unifying the park once again.
“I’ve basically shared the idea with a broad cross section of community members which ultimately has led to an organized grassroots movement that has moved the process into the engineering and design phase,” said John Siegenthaler, who serves as one of the primary contacts of the project.
In November 2010, leaders from the Richland Community Development Group (RCDG) and business leaders alike proposed the idea to then mayor Don Culliver. Today, this group of people is known as the RCDG Central Park Project Leadership Committee. Nearly three years later, reunifying Central Park remains a possibility …with some prudent contingencies.
Currently, the most pressing is whether or not traffic will be able to flow smoothly through Central Park if the cut-through is removed. Therefore, coordinating with Mansfield’s City Council, the Leadership Committee delegated completion of a traffic study to the Richland County Regional Planning Committee (RCRPC). The study started in February of 2013.
“The study will identify the impact of the reunification project, and, namely, how that will affect current traffic flow,” said John Adams, Transportation Technical Director of RCRPC. The study is now completed, but the numbers and raw data are being transferred to sophisticated traffic analysis software, which will generate an animated simulation of traffic flow.
But why was the Park Avenue cut-through constructed in the first place?
Central Park used to exist without Park Avenue cutting through the middle. In 1958, when the park was split in two, the primary reason for the inclusion of Park Avenue was that the girdling roundabout had developed the contextual nickname, “Cowboy Circle.” More and more teenagers were becoming familiar with the newfangled automobile, which in turn was clogging the roundabout.
To unravel this dilemma, the “Cut-Through” was put on the ballot as “Vote YES on the park ‘cut-through.’ Help Mansfield Grow!” The cut-through was consequently constructed, and has remained running through Central Park ever since. (Refer to Tim McKee’s historical video for further background information.)
Fast forward to 2013, and the deconstruction of the Park Avenue cut-through is seen as a possibility for revitalizing Mansfield’s downtown area. The plan is to create more aesthetically pleasing green space in which structures like an ice rink and splash pad could attract more residents and visitors to downtown. It is also viewed as an opportunity to improve downtown’s lifestyle, which ultimately may attract more businesses and residents.
“Economic development and quality of life amenities are positive catalysts that boost civic morale, property values, tax bases and ultimately population growth. Similar projects in other cities have been very successful,” said Siegenthaler.
According to proponents, the plan for funding the project is through a variety of private and non-profit sources. While exact costs for the project have not yet been finalized, the committee has sought base estimates for the restoration of the park and square in an effort to keep the public informed.
According to estimates, the cost to remove the road from Central Park, extend sidewalks at each end, landscape and sod has been estimated in the $80,000 range. The cost to return to a normal sidewalk width, add parking and widen Main Street in the blocks on Main Street anchored by Richland Bank and Mechanics has been estimated in the $120,000s. The cost to alter signalization and signage has not been completed nor has the cost to improve roadways north and south of the square that could be alternative routes.
And there are obstacles in place that are acting as barriers to the advancement of this project.
The first obstacle, according to Siegenthaler, is “resistance to change.” The second obstacle is “the adage that resources should be spent elsewhere on more immediate needs.”
When asked to expand on the reasons why the group has committed to the project, Siegenthaler said,
“We need to grow our population and tax base. To do this, we need to make Mansfield a better place to live. Town squares and urban parks are unique in the Midwest and can be a catalyst to attract talented young people who are drawn to restored historic industrial cities. Mansfield’s location is too good to continue on the path that we’re traveling. Bold, dynamic initiatives are needed and I can’t think of a better place to start than Central Park and Public Square.”
The deconstruction of Park Avenue is still in the planning stage, and is waiting on the traffic study to be finalized. The publishing of the study’s findings are projected to be released the end of September. For more information and diagrams of what the project will look like, visit RCDG’s website.
Editor’s note: This story represents the first in a series of articles exploring the reunification of Mansfield’s Central Park.
“Economic development and quality of life amenities are positive catalysts that boost civic morale, property values, tax bases and ultimately population growth. Similar projects in other cities have been very successful,” said John Siegenthaler.
