Medina County Park District seeks renewal of 10-year levy to sustain growth and conservation

As the Medina County Park District (MCPD) celebrates its 60th anniversary, the district is asking voters to approve a 10-year renewal levy to continue funding the parks that have served county residents for decades.

Founded in 1965, the MCPD has grown to maintain 9,000 acres of land across 24 open sites and more than 60 trails. Its 41 full- and part-time employees host hundreds of educational and recreational programs each year for Medina County residents and visitors.

“The passage of this renewal levy is very important to the park district and for Medina County residents,” said MCPD Director Nate Eppink. “There is no permanent funding for the park district. By voting yes for a 10-year renewal of the property tax, which voters approved in 2015, the small increase would begin collecting in 2027 and continue through 2036. These levies have allowed us to protect additional land, open new parks, build trails and expand amenities.”

Eppink added that the levy renewal would also support grant opportunities for future land preservation. “Generous donations from county residents have played a big part in the success and growth of the Medina County Park District,” he said.

The district’s first land donation came in the 1970s from Theda Schleman, whose gift became Schleman Nature Preserve near Buckeye Woods Park. In 1989, voters approved the first MCPD property tax levy, which helped the district expand from 1,000 to more than 7,000 acres under then-director Tom James.

Today, donations continue to shape the park system. The smallest park, the 6.5-acre Zachary A. Weber Riverside Park in Liverpool Township, was donated by the Bryan Weber family in memory of their son, a Buckeye High School graduate who died in 2024. The park opened to the public July 4 on what would have been Zachary’s 23rd birthday.

The largest land donation came in 2022 from longtime Westfield resident Diane “Dedee” O’Neil, who gifted 203 acres at 7223 Greenwich Road in Seville. Named by O’Neil, Rivendell Nature Preserve opened Sept. 20, 2025.

Another major addition is Shotwell Gardens at Lake Medina, which opened in October 2025 at 4581 Foote Road. The 25-acre site features native gardens, trails, an amphitheater, and other amenities on land donated by the Shotwell family in 2018.

“Land has become more expensive over time,” Eppink said. “We’re very grateful for the donations we’ve received over the years. Passage of this renewal levy will help keep the parks running — clean, green and safe — while allowing us to sustain quality, preserve wildlife habitats, and expand educational programs for our community.”

MCPD continues to collaborate with local organizations and outreach programs to support residents throughout Medina County.

For more information on the renewal levy, educational programs, volunteer opportunities and park locations, visit medinacountyparks.com.