MANSFIELD — A grand opening is planned this spring at the new Sterkel Community Park for All.
“I think we are planning for early- to mid-spring for a larger grand opening in conjunction with Richland Newhope,” Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry said Tuesday morning after a Board of Control meeting.
The first two zones are largely complete at the 20-acre, all-inclusive park and playground located off Hillcrest Street.
“We just want to make sure we have everything set before we do that,” the mayor said of the park, which is officially closed for winter. “For those who have not been back there lately, it’s really going to shock people.
“I think city residents are really going to be excited when they see it,” Perry said.
(City of Mansfield photos below show some of the new equipment at the new Sterkel Community Park for All. The story continues below the photos.)
The public-private partnership has worked to create an ADA-compliant park featuring age-appropriate zones with equipment and opportunities to “enhance a child’s mobility and sensory skills, challenge athletic users, support senior citizen activities and unite families,” organizers have said.
Mansfield City Council approved $400,000 for the park. The money was largely used in Zone One to cover the grading, concrete, electrical services and storm-sewer installation. It also features new ADA-compliant restrooms.
Mansfield’s share was funded with $200,000 from the city’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds and $200,000 from the Parks & Recreation Department.
The idea for the park was first broached publicly in August 2021 when Newhope Supt. Michelle Giess came to Mansfield City Council with a $3.5 million plan to revitalize the southside park.
“I know it’s kind of a buried treasure in terms of landscape, with a nice, grassy undeveloped area,” Giess said at the time. “This isn’t just an addition of playground equipment. This is an all-inclusive park that is going to bring incredible value to the city of Mansfield.
Perry, who was leading Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development when the program was launched, credited Giess and Newhope for spearheading the project, the goal for which grew to $5.4 million.
The fundraising, led by Chriss Harris of CHarris Consulting, featured many other public and private donations, including $500,000 from the Richland County Board of Commissioners in ARPA monies.
Mansfield Public Works Director Louis Andres said Tuesday the Sterkel Community Park for All will be one of the premiere parks in Ohio.
“There is a lot of really unique stuff and it’s accessible for everybody. That’s the key thing,” he said. “It’s probably going to bring parents from (outside local areas). I know when we had kids, we were looking for playgrounds to take them to that had stuff like this.
“It has stuff for adults, too. I have been to a lot of parks and it has stuff I have not seen in other places,” he said.
Additional phases can be added as funds become available, officials said.
“I would defer a little bit to Michelle on this, but I think they have largely concluded the fundraising,” the mayor said.
“Those phases stand ready if (additional) funds become available … and sometimes they do,” she said.
During the meeting, the Board of Control approved a $32,197 reduction in the pact with the contractor that helped prepare the ground for the equipment installation.
City engineer Bob Bianchi said the funds could be used as part of an effort to expand and repave the parking lot at the facility.
“We are looking at funds that may be available with Newhope, RCDG and the city — and what kind of funds are available to do a little more work out there,” he said.
