(Jackson Twp., OH) – Massillon residents will soon have a new outdoor space to enjoy recreational activities.
Thanks to a partnership between the Stark County Health Department’s Creating Healthy Communities Program and Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, a new pocket park is set to open in the city. It will be located at 519 Tremont Ave. SW.
A small ceremony celebrated the park’s opening on Dec. 14. Abigail Jenkins, program coordinator of Creating Healthy Communities, along with representatives from Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio and the Massillon Rotary Club were on hand to cut a blue ribbon.
“We are excited to partner with Habitat for Humanity on this project,” said Jenkins. “Our hope is this will benefit the Tremont neighborhood and provide residents with a space to enjoy physical activity that they haven’t had before.”
Pocket parks are usually no more than one-fourth of an acre of land. They are often located in urban areas where people typically have few places to gather, relax or enjoy the outdoors. They can also serve as small event spaces or play areas for children.
The new park in Massillon sits in a lot that previously had a vacant house. The house was demolished and Habitat for Humanity acquired the land. The park now includes an updated sidewalk, a small walkway, and benches, and is fenced in to preserve the space and its natural beauty from the surrounding area.
Creating Healthy Communities and Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio spent portions of three days landscaping the area and constructing the park. The organizations wanted to help provide better access to recreational opportunities for the estimated 1,169 residential properties in the area. A number of the properties are within a 10-minute walk to the park.
The Southway Fence Company and Massillon Rotary Club assisted with the project. The Massillon City Health Department also served as a partner.
“We would like to thank everyone who helped us with this project,” Jenkins said. “This wouldn’t have been possible without a collaborative effort.”
(Press release submitted by the Stark County Health Department).
