By 1812Blockhouse
Middle Park in Mansfield, long an inaccessible space, is about to see a major revival. The City of Mansfield has approved plans to reopen the area, which connects North Lake Park and South Park, to pedestrians and cyclists by 2025. This development is expected to breathe new life into the park, which has been closed for years.
An Exciting Vision
On her Facebook page, Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry recently gave the community a sneak peek into the future of Middle Park. During an administration ‘drive around,’ Mayor Perry and her team discussed potential projects, and one of the key highlights was the renovation of Middle Park.
In her post, Perry noted the park’s former glory, particularly mentioning that the bridges once used to drive across the area are now gone. However, the city has a plan to revive it with a new pedestrian bridge, allowing visitors to walk or bike through the scenic space once again.
“We are going to be working on getting Middle Park reopened to pedestrians in 2025. It needs some work and a new foot bridge, but we think we can make it happen,” Perry said in her post.
Board of Control Moves Forward, WMFD Reports
WMFD reported on Monday that the Mansfield Board of Control took action by approving a $42,500 engineering contract with EMH&T to design the new pedestrian bridge for Middle Park. According to City Engineer Bob Bianchi, the proposed bridge will span 45-50 feet and closely resemble the bridge that crosses Touby Run at North Lake Park (photo above), where the Richland B&O Bike Trail begins, the article stated
This connection between North and South Parks has been long-awaited, and the new bridge is expected to become a key feature of the park, enhancing the experience for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
What Comes Next?
As the project moves into the engineering phase, residents can expect more updates in the coming months. While the park will not reopen until 2025, the city’s commitment to revitalizing this area is clear. Middle Park has the potential to become a hub of outdoor activity, linking two already popular green spaces and giving visitors another beautiful area to explore.
With plans in place for a new footbridge, Mansfield is working toward transforming Middle Park from an overlooked space into a beloved connector that will serve residents and visitors for years to come.
Photo: 1812Blockhouse
