PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 16, 2022
Chippewa Lake Master Plan Finalized
In 2021, Medina County Park District (MCPD) engaged OHM Advisors to help develop a master plan for the former Chippewa Lake Amusement Park which was purchased in June 2020. The site is located on the shores of Chippewa Lake, Ohio’s largest inland glacial lake. With public input acquired through meetings and surveys, OHM and MCPD designed a master plan to transform the site into a future public nature area. Both short and long-term improvement projects are included in the master plan. The Chippewa Lake Master Plan is located on the park district’s website at www.medinacountyparks.com. Click on the “Parks” tab, then select “Chippewa Lake Master Plan,” the last option in the menu.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 12, 2022
Expansion of Lake Medina Greenway Trail Made Possible by Clean Ohio Trail Fund
Lake Medina is a hidden oasis nestled between Route 18 to the south and Granger Road to the north, just west of Interstate 71. With the completion of the Granger Road parking lot and trail improvements at this site in 2020, attention has now turned to the next phase of trail connectivity to this very popular park.
In 2018, the park district was awarded $150,000 through the state capital budget to assist with construction of a trail that will extend from the State Route 18 entrance of Lake Medina, south toward a proposed trailhead at the future Chandler Nature Preserve located on E. Smith Road. Due to the length and complexity of the proposed trail, the park district decided to seek additional funding and submitted an application to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Clean Ohio Trail Fund in April of 2021. The park district is pleased to announce that it was awarded the maximum grant amount of $500,000 for the Lake Medina Greenway extension. Construction of the approximately one-mile greenway trail extension will, likely, occur in late 2023 or early 2024.
The Clean Ohio Trail Fund, administered by ODNR, is one of three components of the Clean Ohio Fund, which restores, protects, and connects Ohio’s natural and urban places. To date, the program has awarded nearly $106 million to provide Ohioans with better access to recreational opportunities through the creation of nearly 500 miles of trails and the acquisition of 128 miles of abandoned railroad and greenway corridors. “Ohioans loves to get outside and take in the natural beauty this great state has to offer,” Governor Mike DeWine said. “I’m excited for families and friends to have even more opportunities to see Ohio through every season.” To learn more about Ohio’s trails, please visit trails.ohiodnr.gov.
“The city of Medina is very grateful and appreciative of the efforts of the Medina County Park District to obtain a $500,000 Clean Ohio Trail grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the expansion of our existing collaborative trails. These trails support our Healthy Medina initiatives by encouraging walking, running, and bicycling to benefit the health of city and county residents,” said Mayor Dennis Hanwell.
The project required the acquisition of a trail easement across the Summa Health Medina Medical Center. “We’re proud to partner with the Medina County Park District on the Lake Medina Greenway extension. This project represents a significant investment in our community and underscores our commitment to the health and well-being of the people we serve. We look forward to the completion of the project and congratulate everyone at the park district for achieving this important milestone,” said Luke Smith, director of ambulatory services and property management at Summa Health Medina Medical Center.
Lake Medina served as Medina’s municipal water source from the early 1960s until 2002, when the 197-acre site was leased to the park district. The park features a 1.1-mile gravel trail along the lake and a 1.4-mile paved trail that follows the West Branch of the Rocky River and connects to the city of Medina’s multipurpose trail along Reagan Parkway. Located on Ohio’s Buckeye Trail, Lake Medina is popular for hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 23, 2022
Plum Creek Park North to Close for Several Months
Medina County Park District will close Plum Creek Park North (2390 Plum Creek Parkway, Brunswick Hills, Ohio 44212) beginning February 27 through June 30 to enable construction crews to complete Phase 1 of the new multipurpose Plum Creek Greenway trail. The hiking and biking trail is a collaborative project with the city of Brunswick. When completed, Phase 1 of the new trail will lead walkers and cyclists from Plum Creek Park to the city's Mooney Park.
Plum Creek Park South will remain open for use by the public; however, some portions of the trails may not be accessible during this time frame.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 25, 2022
Medina County Park District Preserves Land in the Black River Watershed
In early January, Medina County Park District (MCPD) purchased 35.1 acres on Avon Lake Road (SR 83) in Lodi. The purchase was made possible with a $232,850 grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission’s Clean Ohio Fund. Less than $30,000 was paid locally by the park district.
The property will allow MCPD to, one day, provide public access to a 104-acre parcel that MCPD
acquired in 2001. Together, the newly acquired 35.1- and existing 104-acre parcels will be considered part of Black River Nature Preserve, which includes the Bluebell Valley and Hidden Hollow Camp areas on Richman Road in Lodi. "This acquisition was two years in the making but well worth it," said Nathan Eppink, director of the park district. "The land makes expansion of Black River Nature Preserve possible and additional recreational opportunities available in the future."
There are several significant environmental benefits of preserving this ecologically-rich land. An
assessment by MCPD's natural resources staff identified numerous aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish species indicative of good habitat in the stream along the western boundary of the new property, a stretch of the East Fork of the East Branch of the Black River. The property also includes more than 20 acres of woods that rise some 64 feet above the water. The mature, forested riparian corridor supports migrating birds that visit the area in the spring and fall.
There is no timeline for development of the new property, but a concept plan was included in MCPD's Clean Ohio Fund grant application. "Lodi is an area we're very excited about," Eppink said. "We've recently made changes at Hidden Hollow Camp to make it more accessible year-round, and Bluebell Valley will see improvements this year including a small picnic shelter and observation platform overlooking the river."
MCPD’s natural resource staff has already transformed seven acres of farm fields located at the back of the new property, seeding it with a mix of native grasses and wildflowers. In addition, to supplement the natural succession taking place, over 500 native tree seedlings were planted including oak and cherry.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
December 16, 2021
Hidden Hollow Camp Won’t Be Hidden Anymore in 2022
Effective January 3, 2022, there are two major changes planned for Hidden Hollow Camp located in Black River Nature Preserve in Lodi. First, the site will be open to the public year-round unless the enclosed building on the property is reserved. Since Hidden Hollow Camp’s opening in 1984, it has not been open to walk-in visitors. Historically, the general public has only been able to utilize the site for day-use reservations or to attend naturalist-led programs. Second, the public will be able to reserve Hidden Hollow Camp for overnight camping. Reservations for day-use will only be allowed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Camping will be permitted on Friday and Saturday nights only. This will allow the grounds to remain open to the public Mondays through Thursdays on a regular basis. The site will also be open to the public if there are no weekend reservations.
Planning and Operations Manager Isaac Smith commented, “Opening Hidden Hollow Camp to the public on a regular basis will offer another park site in the Lodi area for hiking, bird-watching, or fishing in addition to neighboring Bluebell Valley which opened in 2020. We are also pleased to offer overnight camping to the general public as a new recreational opportunity – a first in the park district’s history.”
The enclosed building at Hidden Hollow Camp offers the perfect amenities for an “indoor camping” experience for up to 75 people, including a wood-burning stove, scenic wraparound porch, movie screen, electric range, food preparation tables, and a refrigerator. Please note, this facility is one large room. There are no beds, bunks, or cots. Alcohol is permitted, inside the enclosed building only, when reserved for day-use or camping. Drinking water, restrooms, and a gray-water disposal pit are located outdoors. There’s also a large campfire ring and a team-building challenge course. Neither RVs nor travel trailers will be allowed. Tent camping is permissible in addition to the use of the enclosed facility. Only one reservation is permitted per day.
The grounds feature a beautiful one-acre woodland pond and two nature trails. In geographical terms, a “hollow” is exactly as it sounds – a small valley or basin in the land. At the bottom of Hidden Hollow is the West Fork of the East Branch of the Black River. The rich soil of its floodplain is home to towering sycamore, black willow, and black walnut trees -- along with a diverse array of wildflowers. The trees and thickets here provide ideal habitat for migrating warblers. Visitors should plan on bird-watching during spring and fall migration.
Improvements to the entry drive will be made next year to accommodate increased usage of the site on a daily basis. Reservations for camping will open starting on January 3, 2022.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 13, 2021
District Rings in New Year by ‘Retiring’ Ranger Name
Effective January 1, 2022, Medina County Park District’s park rangers will be rebranded as police officers, a move to make clear their responsibilities.
Chief Dave Swinehart said the role of each officer will remain the same – ensuring the safety of visitors by patrolling park sites via foot, vehicle, watercraft, and bike; educating the public about park district resources and policies; and enforcing park district rules as well as state and federal laws.
Swinehart said he hopes the name change provides clarity to park users who may confuse rangers with non-law-enforcement personnel. Officer vehicles and uniform badges will receive new artwork to reflect the name change.
Medina County Park District also seeks to add a full-time police officer to its staff to replace an individual who retired this fall. A minimum of five years of law-enforcement experience is preferred. Park police officers are required to attend the Ohio Police Officer Basic Training Academy. Each year of service thereafter, officers receive additional Continuing Professional Training (CPT) hours set forth by the state. Visit medinacountyparks.com/about us/employment to download a law-enforcement employment packet.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 18, 2021
H2Ohio Initiative Funds Restoration of New Nature Preserve in Litchfield Township
Medina County Park District (MCPD) was recently awarded $900,000 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, as part of Governor Mike DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative, to restore 145 acres in Litchfield Township. The property is located in the Central Basin of Lake Erie with water flowing north to our Great Lake. Restoring the property will reduce nitrogen and phosphorous loading in the watershed which can contribute to harmful algal blooms -- an issue that has plagued Lake Erie in recent years. This project will also see the creation of more than 60 acres of wetlands and the introduction of native plants.
The park district plans to open this site as the Litchfield Wetlands Nature Preserve by the end of 2022. Director Eppink noted: “I'm looking forward to establishing a nature preserve in an area without a Medina County Park District presence. After chasing a number of funding opportunities to restore this property over the past decade, we are grateful to receive such significant support through the H2Ohio initiative.”
The land was purchased by MCPD in 2009 with Clean Ohio funding. (Clean Ohio grants are administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission.) There is currently no public access to the site as it has been farmed under an annual land management agreement to keep invasive plants from taking root. MCPD will budget $300,000 of its own dollars for public access improvements including parking, restrooms, and trail surfacing. Planning & Operations Manager Isaac Smith envisions more than 1.5 miles of trails for visitors to enjoy once the site is built.
Launched by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019, H2Ohio is a collaborative water-quality effort to provide clean and safe water to Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency each has a significant role in H2Ohio through the natural infrastructure of wetlands, the reduction in nutrient runoff, and increasing access to clean drinking water and quality sewer systems. To learn more, visit h2.ohio.gov.
This is the second award the park district has received from the program. MCPD's first H2Ohio award was for $1.52 million to restore three sites near Chippewa Lake in Lafayette and Westfield townships. One of those sites, a 7.5-acre parcel along the Chippewa outlet located off Kennard Road, will be completed next year. The district will also add parking and a kayak launch at the site.
