Phase I of new park opens July 10, 2016 2:00pm.
SHALERSVILLE TOWNSHIP, OHIO. June 30, 2016.
We are pleased to announce that Phase I of Morgan Park will be open to the public on July 10, 2016! You are invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2:00 p.m. at the parking lot trailhead, 8828 State Route 44 in Shalersville Township.
Morgan Park was acquired in 2009 thanks to several partners. The Western Reserve Land Conservancy worked with the Park District to acquire the property with several funding sources, including the Water Resource Restoration Sponsorship program through the Ohio EPA, the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund and the Burton D. Morgan and Margaret Clark Morgan Foundations. The Park District subsequently received OEPA funds to restore a stream and wetland on the property, including working with Kent State University students and volunteers from Best Sand to plant over 7,000 trees. The Ohio Department of Transportation provided funds to install a pervious asphalt parking lot to reduce stormwater runoff and local donors provided funds for the creation of the entrance sign and kiosk.
Due to very limited funding for many years, the Park District was unable to open the park, however thanks to passage of the District’s first ever levy, Phase I of the park trails, consisting of two trails that total 1.2 miles round trip are now open. The first trail winds through the former farm fields and connects to a second trail that dips into the woods. Additional trails will be constructed in the next year as the full site plan is completed. “Even though we’re still completing our overall site plan, we wanted to give the public the opportunity to use the property now”, said Christine Craycroft, Executive Director, “we have additional staff and a park ranger to ensure it’s well managed, and hope people will get out for some healthy recreation in the beauty of nature”.
The Portage Park District’s mission is to conserve Portage County’s natural heritage and provide opportunities for its appreciation and enjoyment. For more information, call (330) 297-7728 or visit www.portageparkdistrict.org.