If you or your family would consider a donation of resource-rich land, property adjacent to existing county parkland, or a sizeable parcel that would make a great public park, please contact Director Nathan D. Eppink at 330-722-9364 or parks@medinacountyparks.com.
Ruth Alderfer-Oenslager grew up in Sharon Center and became a world-traveler, life-long learner, artist, and philanthropist. By all accounts, Ruth was a generous person, giving of her time, knowledge, and funds to many worthwhile causes. For Medina County residents, Ruth’s greatest act of generosity came in 1975 when she donated her and her husband George’s family farm to the Medina County Park District.
At a time when the district had just three small parks, the 103-acre acquisition was a very big deal. Ruth wanted her land to be preserved, but as a person with a profound appreciation of nature, she also wanted people to be able to learn more about the natural world in a setting that provided endless opportunities to experience it tangibly. Alderfer-Chatfield Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 6100 Ridge Rd. in Sharon Township.
Located in Granger Township (401 Remsen Rd., Medina), Allardale Park is named after Stan and Esther Allard, who donated their 125-acre family farm to MCPD in 1992. The park has since grown to nearly 500 acres, which includes a new 105-acre property that was acquired in April 2022.
Stan and Esther had no children, and they wanted others to enjoy their property as much as they had. Their nephew, a Tennessee-based architect, designed The Lodge, a 4,800-square-foot reservable facility that is popular for weddings and other events. In addition to helping fund The Lodge’s construction, Allard family members established a fund through the Akron Community Foundation to support future capital projects at Allardale Park.
Meet several members of the Allard Family, watch a short YouTube video HERE.
Following the lead of the Allards, Richard and Beverly Mugrage donated 102 acres to MCPD in 2005, just a handful of years after Allardale opened to the public. The park is named after Richard’s mother, who played a key role in the family’s ability to keep the farm through the Great Depression years.
In addition to donating 102 acres in Granger Township (4985 Windfall Rd., Medina), the Mugrages donated to MCPD proceeds from a sale of land to Hospice of the Western Reserve, helping the park district purchase Chippewa Lake in 2007. Years later, in 2020, MCPD would purchase the former Chippewa Lake Amusement Park, where a new park is currently being planned.
Upon her passing in 1976, Theda Schleman donated her 67-acre Lafayette Township farm (6701 Wedgewood Rd., Medina) to the fledgling MCPD. Her property was the original Buckeye Woods Park and so-named for the grove of buckeye trees that grow along the stream passing through the woods.
Theda’s gift was a turning point for the park district, which only had two areas open to the public in 1976—Green Leaf Park in Sharon Township and Letha House Park in Chatham Township. MCPD was able to use the value of Theda’s donation as a local match on a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, which was used to fund public improvements on Theda’s former property, Letha House Park, and at what would become Plum Creek Park in Brunswick Hills Township.
Letha House Park is named after Medina County philanthropist Letha E. House (1880-1968) whose foundation provided funding to help acquire the land. The story of Letha House could be a Hollywood movie. Even better, it’s the subject of a fascinating 2004 biography by Medina historian Joann King: Letha E. House: From Foundling to Philanthropist.
Letha came to Medina County as a foster child, and her family history was somewhat of a mystery. Many years later, Letha discovered she was heir to the fortune of a rich Cleveland industrialist family. Letha continued to lead the same modest life in Lafayette Township and used her newfound wealth to establish a foundation that has benefited many local organizations– including the park district. Gifts from the Letha E. House Foundation helped give Medina County residents the park that bears her name, as well as Hidden Hollow Camp and Plum Creek Park. The image of Letha House is courtesy of the Medina County Historical Society. Letha House Park is located in Chatham Township (West side: 5800 Richman Rd. and East side: 5745 Richman Rd., Spencer).
MCPD’s largest-ever gift of land was finalized in July 2022, when Dedee O’Neil donated 203 acres in Westfield Center and Westfield Township. The property protects a portion of Camel Creek and includes meadows with native wildflowers, beautiful woods with a number of spring wildflowers, and a large fishing pond.
District staff worked with Dedee on the design for Rivendell Nature Preserve, the name she chose for her generous gift. In both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Rivendell is a sanctuary and magical 'otherworld.' The preserve opened a little more than three years after Dedee’s donation, in September 2025. Rivendell Nature Preserve is located in Westfield Township (7223 Greenwich Rd., Seville).
Meet Dedee O'Neil and learn about the history behind her property in this YouTube video, watch HERE.
Lake Medina is a manmade reservoir that served as the city of Medina’s drinking water source from the 1960s until 2000. MCPD leases the lake and surrounding acreage, which it manages as Lake Medina (Park). Entrances on State Route 18 and Granger Road provide public access, but both are located in the floodplain of a branch of the Rocky River, so amenities are limited.
Over several years, Becky Shotwell and her family donated approximately 25 acres to MCPD for the creation of the Shotwell Gardens, a third entrance to Lake Medina featuring parking, restrooms, native gardens, an amphitheater, seating, and more. The first phase of Shotwell Gardens opened in October 2025. Shotwell Gardens at Lake Medina is located at 4581 Foote Rd., Medina.
On December 5, 2023, Rob Smykal and his sister, Kris Mason, made a generous donation of 44 acres to MCPD. This significant contribution, comprised of two parcels, is situated north of the Krabill Lodge near Chippewa Lake, contiguous with MCPD land.
The date of the donation held special significance, as it coincided with the birthday of their late father, Bob Smykal, who, alongside his wife Beverly, purchased the property in the 1970s. The Smykal family created lasting memories on the site hosting picnics, fishing in a small pond, and camping out while enjoying radio broadcasts of baseball games.
Although the property is not yet open to the public, developing access will be part of MCPD’s long-term strategy for Chippewa Lake.
Medina County Park District celebrated the opening of its 23rd park—the Zachary A. Weber Riverside Park—on Zack’s 23rd birthday, July 4, 2025.
Zachary A. Weber Riverside Park was built on land that was donated in memory of a young Buckeye High School graduate who passed away unexpectedly in May 2024.
Zachary Arthur “Zack” Weber (July 4, 2002 – May 29, 2024), often called “Z,” was the youngest child of Bryan and Annette Weber, who previously owned the 6.6-acre parcel. In summer of 2024, unaware of the Webers’ loss, MCPD Director Nathan D. Eppink contacted Mr. Weber to inquire about the property next to the river. Very quickly, Z’s dad offered to donate the land in memory of his son.
Zack was a graduate of Buckeye High School, a lover of the outdoors, and a Cleveland sports fan. He planned to graduate from the College of Wooster, where he played football, and come back to Buckeye to teach history and coach football and basketball. In high school, Zack played both sports, won the prestigious Golden Buck Award for outstanding sportsmanship, and was Homecoming King his senior year.
There wasn’t a person that Zack came into contact with that he didn’t show a smile and kindness to every day,” Mr. Weber said. “We hope visitors will remember Zack every Fourth of July and show kindness to everyone they meet so his smile, energy, and kindness may live on.”
Park Headquarters Phone
(330) 722-9364 or (844) 722-9364
Park Police
Emergencies: 911
Non-emergencies: (330) 725-6631
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