The 23 parks that span 335 acres throughout Brunswick now have a blueprint that pinpoints the facilities, amenities and improvements most desired by residents. In fact, Parks and Recreation Director Taylor Petkovsek considers the Brunswick Parks Master Plan a roadmap to success.
“I think the alarming consensus is that we have a lot, but we need to maintain the things that we have,” Petkovsek notes of her takeaway from the master plan, which was adopted by Council in early 2025. “Instead of building something new or something that’s hot right now, we need to enhance the facilities we already have.”
An expedition led by Columbus-based Designing Local began in June 2024 to uncover what residents and city administrators wanted most in their parks. It revealed a laundry list of requests, such as:
- Better aquatics facilities and programs
- Parking and restrooms at Hopkins and Mooney Parks
- New trails and walking paths
- Additional pickleball capacity
- Additional shade and benches in parks
- Nonsports youth programs and family-friendly community festivals and events
Public open houses in July and October as well as an online survey in summer 2024 garnered resident input while more than 15 city officials weighed in via 30- to 60-minute conversations with the consulting firm’s representatives.
After 12 years with the city, Petkovsek says she is confident the current focus on parks is a positive step in making them radiate with support from the community.
To reinforce their commitment, City Council approved an amendment to the 2025 budget allocating an additional $1.2 million for “future park improvements to be identified through future discussions and the results of the park master plan study.”
In the meantime, Petkovsek is thumbing through the pages of the 100-plus-page master plan and plucking out projects that can be handled immediately.
“My goal this year is to look at all the parks, see what kind of an impact I can make now in the short term and show all of these neighborhoods that we heard what they said, we appreciate their feedback and to try to do something for every park, not just the destination parks,” Petkovsek says.
In tandem with Tom Adams, the Parks maintenance technician, they are addressing what they can while awaiting further direction — and funding.
“This master plan is a five-year plan, and obviously nothing’s going to happen overnight,” Adams points out. “But, there are various things that we can look around and say, ‘This matters to people, and we’re going to address this because it doesn’t cost a million dollars.’”
Adams’ can-do attitude and longtime commitment to the city and its parks have been instrumental in bringing these plans to fruition.
Here’s a look at some of the improvements that have been made as well as some of those to come:
The reopening of North Park. North Park reopened in March after the lake was dredged for restoration and reduction of storm discharge. Fish restocking is underway, including largemouth bass and bluegill. The project was partially funded by an EPA grant.
New fencing at the dog park. The 0.75-acre dog park on Cross Creek Drive opened in 2005 with some picnic tables, a couple of interactive amenities and a fence that was intended to be temporary while determining whether the open field would be used for its intended purpose.
“The temporary fence was put up with the thought process of, ‘Let’s get this up, see if it’s used, and then we’ll go back and we’ll put in a nice fence.’ Well, that never happened, and it’s been years that we’ve had this fence,” Petkovsek remarks.
In early March, a permanent fence was installed at a cost of $23,000.
New bleachers at Neura Park. As the gathering place for the Brunswick High School girls’ and boys’ tennis teams, new bleachers provide an opportunity for parents and grandparents to linger longer at the city’s oldest park, located on Center Road.
“We’re just trying to give people some more opportunities to come and watch these kids play,” Petkovsek explains.
And, speaking of kids playing, Petkovsek adds that she is looking at placing shade structures over the benches where parents can seek respite from the sun while they watch their children. The single-post shade structures she is eyeing will sit on the outside of the inclusive playground so as not to disturb the rubber surface.
Improvements to driveways and parking lots, and adding pickleball courts. Plans are underway to determine how to improve driveways in the park system.
“We want grandma and grandpa who maybe live in a different community to come over and be able to park their car and walk to the soccer field or walk to the baseball diamond without having to worry about the conditions of the drive or the walkway,” she notes.
Recognizing that pickleball has a huge following in Brunswick that delivers enthusiasts to Neura Park and the rec center, Petkovsek says she is also working on collecting pricing for additional courts.
Launching a Friends of Brunswick Parks group. In the initial planning stages, Petkovsek is looking for legal assistance to write the bylaws, begin the process of forming a 501(c)(3) and file the necessary paperwork with the state to invite volunteers to help support the parks.
Continuing the Crusade
In addition to routine summer maintenance such as tree trimming, mowing, restroom
patrolling and ballfield upkeep, Adams has set his sights on additional opportunities for park enhancements. He points to projects such as reviving tree-planting programs to replace those lost by the Emerald Ash Borer and other invasive species, fixing foot bridges in neighborhood parks and re-roofing the picnic shelter at Hopkins Park at Laurel Road and Diana Drive as goals for this summer.
“We want people to be proud of what they have,” Adams notes. “The five-year plan spelled out quite a few things that need attention, but I think in the last several years, we’ve made some great strides.”
Plum Creek Greenway Trail
After three phases, one project will be marked as complete in 2025 — the Plum Creek Greenway Trail.
The third phase includes 3,200 feet of asphalt for a recently completed multipurpose trail from Laurel Road to Brunswick Lake Parkway. Also under construction (at press time) is a 250-foot connector trail from the main trail at Brunswick Lake Parkway to the north end of Eisenhower Drive, which should be finished this summer, says City Engineer Jenny Zoldak. The $963,000 job is being completed by Mark’s Construction.
The first phase opened in September 2022 and extends from Plum Creek Park to Mooney Park. The second phase, which opened in July 2024, continues north from Mooney Park across property owned by Grace Baptist Church and ends at Laurel Road.
The Medina County Park District will maintain the trail as part of a 25-year management agreement.
“There’s been some chatter about not letting this trail end at Brunswick Lake,” Petkovsek notes. “It could be five or 10 years down the line, but it would be a tremendous asset if that was accomplished.”
A Community That Cares
With so much to look forward to, Petkovsek and Adams both take time to acknowledge that the people who put the time into the parks is what makes them thrive. Whether a city official, an elected official, a resident, an employee or a volunteer, those who grind out such spectacular spaces for community members do so as a labor of love.
“One of the more rewarding things is working toward a common goal,” Adams says.
