Parks & Recreation

Parks Initiative

Our Olmsted Township Story…

Olmsted Township is a growing community with 16,000 residents and a small but thriving business group.  Its diverse population base includes young families vested in the community and schools, boomers who have raised families but remain in their homes, and seniors many in manufactured homes, apartments, and condos.  It is ex-urban in nature with green space and an ambiance that reminds residents and visitors of small towns of the past.

Until the development of the comprehensive Parks Initiative in 2020, there were no parks or formalized plans for parks located within Olmsted Township.  The Parks Initiative provides a plan for parks to serve a wide variety of needs and groups; active parks with playgrounds and picnic areas, passive parks for quiet enjoyment and scenic views and a park for dogs and their owners/handlers.

This comprehensive Parks Initiative is, in part, a response to the recommendations of residents who completed an online survey, a component in the development of Olmsted Township’s Strategic Plan 2018-19.  On another front, the COVID pandemic has highlighted the need for outdoor facilities to maintain physical and mental well-being compromised because of the sense of isolation experienced this past year.

We invite you to be part of this exciting project to benefit our Community.  No donations is too small and each one is critical to our success.  Everyone benefits from parks and open spaces.  Thanks for helping to continue to make Olmsted Township a great place to call “home.  See you in the Park! 

Thank you for your partnership as we work to implement our Parks Initiative.  Your sponsorship is critical to the success of our Parks initiative.  Everyone benefits by the addition of parks and outdoor spaces-our neighbors, our environment and quality of life.  Thanks again for helping us make Olmsted Township a great place to live, work, raise a family and call “home”.

Olmsted Township Bark Park is a significant component of this total Parks Initiative.  It will allow dogs to socialize and exercise safely without harm to themselves and others.  Well socialized dogs tend to respond better to people, adding another layer of safety especially for children.  It will promote responsible ownership, provide an alternative to walking dogs in often busy neighborhoods and allow for enforcement of the leash law.  Socialization of dogs and owners is an over-riding benefit.  There is a common bond among dog owners.

Olmsted Township Bark Park is located on 30 acres on Schady Road near Sharp Road.  It will consist of two fenced areas (about two acres for large dogs/one acre for small dogs under 30 pounds).  A small barn is on the property.

We anticipate placement of exercise equipment within each area as well as benches for seating.  The Township is applying for a Tree Canopy Grant to plant trees in the area to provide needed shade for dogs and their owners/handlers.

Plans include a parking lot, an area outside the fenced area for small children and others to socialize, portable rest station and trash and pet waste containers.  There is a water supply on the property.

We anticipate planning for the additional acreage to maximize its use for recreational purposes.

Total Cost:     $50,000.  About one-half the cost is in fencing & gates.

Sponsorships and donations for equipment are under consideration.

Anticipated Completion:         Unknown

This park is located at the corner of Usher Road and Kingswood Drive across the road from Vitamix.  It abuts St. Innocent Orthodox Church and the First Energy high tension wire corridor.  This 4-acre parcel is within walking distance of more than 500 homes, some in neighboring Olmsted Falls.  Location of this park is interesting as it serves a diverse neighborhood, mainly young families and a significant number of boomers.  Vitamix staff will have access and the park will serve as a trailhead for the proposed Olmsted Trail noted on the Cuyahoga County Greenway map of designated connections to the Metroparks.  The parcel includes a wooded area for proposed walking trail and a central area for amenities. Planning includes a playground, picnic pavilion and bench seating.  Rest facilities, water and lighting are available.

The obstacle to development of this active neighborhood pocket park is the small, abandoned wastewater treatment plant and holding basins on the property.  Demolition of the small brick building and implosion of the holding basins will be required.  The site has been assessed and there are no brownfields issues.  The Township has secured a $75,000 grant from the state of Ohio to cover some of the costs associated with demolition and have applied for a CDSG Grant for $50,000.

Total Cost:    Approximately $300,000.  About one-half the cost is in demolition of the building and implosion of the holding basins.  The remainder will cover land preparation, some clearing of the woods area, playground equipment, pavilion, and seating.

Sponsorships and donations for equipment are under consideration.

Anticipation Completion:        Summer 2022

Plan your event at our venue.  Offering over 3,000 square feet to accommodate up to 160 people with table and chairs, new Audio/Visual equipment, open food and beverage policy for you to bring your own choice of food and drink or catering company, and kitchen that includes refrigerator, freezer, warming oven, microwave & coffee pot.

The property just west of the Township Administration Building is about 6 acres and is compromised by uneven terrain and some debris of unknown origin.  Plans for this park include a walking trail, water feature, benches, and landscaped areas that will provide a backdrop for appreciation of nature and the beauty of the area.  Preliminary studies have been done but no park planning thus far.  The Board of Trustees has written a grant for funding to plan and begin clearing.

At the present time the Board has no cost estimates for this park.