Project History & Overview

The Kinsman Park Committee is dedicated to our community. It's where we plant our roots, it's where we nourish our hearts, it's where our families grow, it's where our lives flourish. 

In 2011, a group of Kinsman residents came together in an informal basis to work with the Township Officials to help come up with a plan to develop the site of the old high school as a community space.  A consensus was reached that the site should be developed distinct from the existing Township Park as a space for community events. 

The group worked with Bart Gilmore of Gilmore Design to study options and come up with a basic plan and design.  This was completed in 2012.  With the township sewer project delayed, the group went on hiatus during which time the group members began to explore options to fund the project privately.  It has always been the intent of the Committee to do this project using as little public money as possible.

With the sewer project complete the Committee resumed work in 2018.  New members with new insight and expertise have joined the group.  The Committee has formally been sanctioned as the Kinsman Township Parks Committee.  The Committee works with Township Officials not just on the school site but the existing Township Park and the Bandstand Park on the Square.  The Committee role is advisory in nature.  The Committee has no authority to spend money or authorize work in the Township’s behalf.  The Committee does research, considers options, and makes recommendations.  All work and expenditures must be approved by the Township Trustees.  The Committee can solicit donations, help raise funds, consult experts, and contractors, recruit and organize volunteers and oversee their work.

The Committee agreed on this Mission Statement.  “Working together as a Community to develop, operate, and maintain a Park System that will benefit all the Citizens of our Community”.   The working name of the project for the former high school site is the Kinsman Green Space.

Phase one of the Committee’s work included work with Gilmore Design to update the original plan.  A survey update was completed and a small piece of land was added to the Library property to accommodate a future addition.  The Committee has worked closely with the Library as future development of the site can benefit both the Library and the Township.   Phase one also included an assessment of the site with regard to existing utilities, removal of older unsightly trees and shrubs, as well as options for signage.

The Committee is also actively exploring options and opportunities for funding and fund raising.  Trustees have created an account to administer fund for the project.  Donations have been made.

To date, the Committee members have organized and overseen replacement of the roof on the small building on the school site as well as the Bandstand on the Square.  This was done mostly with donated supplies, equipment, and labor.

Phase two will consist of developing the existing building for a restroom.  Once trees have been removed begin replacing sidewalks and flagpole to create a streetscape along State Route 5 and 7.

Future phases include an amphitheater, upgraded electrical service, a walking nature path, new trees and accessible parking and eventually a new multipurpose court.

We realize this is an ambitious plan. Likely to take years to complete to fruition but with your help and support it can and will happen.  We will share the same goal; to make Kinsman a place where people want to be now and for generations to come.

Thank you,

Kinsman Park Community Members