Medina County Park District Celebrated Its 60th Anniversary on April 19, 2025

Established on April 19, 1965, the park district has become a beloved community resource, offering residents and visitors access to more than 22 park sites, over 50 miles of trails, and a variety of educational programs that inspire people of all ages to connect with nature. Over the decades, the park district has emerged as a leader in conservation, successfully acquiring and managing nearly 9,000 acres of protected land.

Celebrate with us by participating in the following special activities:

 

Parks perks program

Park Perks Challenge
April 19-October 4, 2025

Click HERE to download the Park Perks Challenge pdf.  Hard copies are available at the nature centers or park headquarters.

Celebrate Medina County Park District’s 60th Anniversary by taking part in the Park Perks Challenge! This is a self-guided adventure where you will need to successfully complete challenges to collect perk points to earn park prizes! Challenge yourself across three categories: Research It, Seek and Find, and See You There, all designed to help you explore and learn about Medina County parks. There are a few challenges that occur in the month of April -- so be sure to get started right away!

Prizes will be awarded at four different levels based on the number of park perk points achieved. The more points you collect, the more prizes you’ll get! Prize value increases with point values. The challenge officially begins on the actual anniversary date of April 19 and runs through October 4.

Prize Pickup and 60th Anniversary Event – October 4
Completed forms may be turned in, and prizes will be awarded at a culminating anniversary event on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Lodge at Allardale. If you can’t make this awesome event, don’t worry, you can pick up your prize(s), while supplies last, at the Oenslager Nature Center on Saturday, October 18 and Saturday, October 25 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

prizes


60th event

60th Anniversary Celebration (and prize pickup for Park Perks)
Saturday, October 4 - The Lodge at Allardale - 1 to 4 p.m.

Join us at Allardale to celebrate the park district’s 60th anniversary and have some good old family-friendly fun! There will be plenty of activities to keep you entertained including hayrides, games, facepainting, magic shows, music and more. You can also turn in your Park Perks Challenge form to claim your prizes. Everyone who attends this event is eligible to be entered into our raffle basket drawing for yet another chance at great prizes! As an additional treat, Moonstone Coffee will be there selling delicious warm beverages too! All ages are welcome. No registration is required. Free admission.


60th Annivesary T-Shirts for $15

In celebration of the park district's 60th anniversary, Friends of Medina County Parks is selling t-shirts for $15 each! The "In My Parks Era" t-shirts are available for purchase (cash or check made out to Friends of Medina County Parks) at Oenslager Nature Center each Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. starting THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 19!

The t-shirts are also available at Medina County Park District Headquarters from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting on Monday, April 21.

Please note, these t-shirts are not available online -- in person sales only. Sales proceeds benefit Friends of Medina County Parks. For more information about the Friends, visit https://friendsofmedinacountyparks.org/.

tshirt sale


Special 60th Anniversary Treats Offered by Local Businesses

Over the coming months, MCPD is teaming up with local businesses to celebrate its 60th anniversary with special treats.

Cool Beans drinks

August - First two weeks
During the first two weeks of August, Honey Bee Bakery on Medina Square will have speciality sugar cookies for sale!


Capital Projects Planned

To honor this milestone, the park district will open new park areas and amenities in 2025. Here’s a glimpse of some exciting capital projects planned.

Zachary A. Weber Riverside Park - Liverpool Township
MCPD opened its newest park on July 4 in Valley City on land that was recently donated in memory of a young Buckeye High School graduate who passed away unexpectedly last May. The first phase will include a small parking lot, open-air picnic shelter, seating, and great views of the Rocky River as it flows north through Liverpool Township.

Rivendell Nature Preserve - Westfield Center and Westfield Township
This 203-acre property was donated to the park district in 2022. Phase 1 of the nature preserve will open on September 20 and 21 with parking, trails, restrooms, a fishing pond, and more.

Shotwell Gardens at Lake Medina - Medina Township
Over several years, the Shotwell family donated 25 acres at the corner of Foote and Weymouth Roads. Phase 1 of this new entrance to Lake Medina will open in October.

Chippewa Lake Park - Lafayette Township
Phase 1 of public access to the former amusement park property will open in fall of this year. It'll feature approximately one mile of aggregate trail, restrooms, and a picnic shelter. The trailhead will be built next to a house we're leasing to the Chippewa Lake Historical Society, which will establish a small museum there.

Liverpool Meadows Nature Preserve - Liverpool Township
This will be the second area to open in Liverpool Township in 2025. The 104-acre preserve will open by year's end and feature a one-mile aggregate loop trail and views of the Rocky River.


 plant sale

If you have questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

July 26 & 27 Plant Sale List - Plants are $5 each/cash or check only

Smooth blue aster

Calico beardtongue

Hairy beardtongue

Dense blazing star

Culver’s root

Tall thimbleweed

Great blue lobelia

False sunflower

Starry campion

White snakeroot

Brown-eyed Susan

Riddell’s goldenrod

Prairie alumroot

Rattlesnake master

Sweet Joe-pye weed

Clustered mountain mint

Sneezeweed

Stiff goldenrod

Swamp milkweed

Seedbox

Trailing bean

Blue-stemmed goldenrod

Golden ragwort

Royal catchfly

Common boneset

Sweet goldenrod

Blue False Indigo

Virginia Stonecrop

Common milkweed

Downy woodmint

Wild columbine

Foxglove beardtongue

Calico aster

Hoary skullcap

Common ironweed

Turtlehead

Blue flag iris

New Jersey tea

Tall sunflower

Downy sunflower

Wrinkle-leaved goldenrod

Field goldenrod

Dotted St. John’s Wort