For decades, the pocket park at the corner of North State Avenue and East High Street has provided a small green space in the heart of Middlefield. But after more than 30 years without a significant update, it was time to rethink what the park could become.
When Ben Garlich became mayor in 2012, one of the many items he tasked the economic development committee with was to develop ideas to revitalize the pocket park. Unfortunately, due to the fiscal health of the Village at that time, the decision was made the project had to wait until the Village was in better economic shape.
After 14 successful years of job creation, infrastructure improvements, budget savings and investment growth, the financial ability to begin the project had arrived.
The inspiration behind the project was fairly simple: to create a place where, even though you are standing at one of the busiest intersections in Geauga County, you can feel surrounded by nature.
The existing park had largely remained unchanged since the 1990s. The pergola had reached the end of its useful life and needed to be removed, and several of the trees had become aged or unhealthy. At the same time, we felt strongly that the mature trees that were still healthy should remain wherever possible. Preserving mature trees is important to the Village, and the new design was developed around keeping as much of the existing canopy as we reasonably could while adding new trees and landscaping for the future.
The redesigned park will have significantly more walking-path space, allowing people to wander through the landscaping rather than simply pass by it. New plantings, trees and gathering areas are intended to make the park feel quieter and more secluded from the traffic surrounding it.
One of the major additions will be a small amphitheater area toward the rear of the park. The goal is to create a flexible space that can be used for small community events, performances and family movie nights.
Lighting will also be an important part of the finished park. Uplighting throughout the new and existing tree canopy will give the park an entirely different appearance in the evening and allow the landscaping and mature trees to become part of the experience after dark.
More than anything, the project is about taking a small piece of land in the center of the Village and making much better use of it. Rather than simply being a landscaped corner, the hope is that the new pocket park becomes a place where someone can take a short walk, sit beneath the trees, meet a friend, bring their family for a movie, or simply get away from the activity around them for a few minutes.
We are especially thankful to Patty Amentini of Geauga Auto Parts, who has agreed to allow the Village to use the south-facing side of her building as a location for projecting movies and lighting. That partnership gives us an opportunity to create something unique right in the center of town. Tommy Yokum of Canopy Design Services and the team at T.C. Hurst Landscaping are working to bring this vision to life.
The location may be in the middle of a busy intersection, but the goal is that once you step inside the park, it won’t feel that way.
