Board reviews past and plans for Richfield Heritage Preserve’s future

by Sue Serdinak

Nov. 6 RJRD board meeting

The Richfield Joint Recreation District board met to evaluate how the Richfield Heritage Preserve has evolved and how to plan for the future.

Board Chairperson Anita Gantner said in the 10 years since the district was formed, the Lodge has succeeded as a wedding venue, the Amity House has been renovated, the board has held fundraising events and worked on trail cleaning and enhancements.

Referencing a survey in which respondents said trails were the reason people visited the park, Gantner said trail enhancement should be a high priority.

Board member Mike Selig said improvements to the Buckeye Trail were included in the Ohio Capital Grant application that was approved. That work may start in 2025.

In addition, the Buckeye Trail organization plans to work five days in 2025 on the trail, and their work may include replacing a dilapidated bridge that was removed by the Ohio Operating Engineers. Park volunteers have also cleared and improved the trails during many workdays.

Park Director John Piepsny said he is working with a sign company to create wayfarer signs that would be color-coded and show distances to trailheads.

Fencing

A fence was built to surround the park when the Girl Scouts owned it. Trees often fall on the fence and create holes. Piepsny said the fence is ineffective in keeping deer out and does not prevent people from accessing the park. The deer population has increased greatly in the last two years.

He also said the gate at the Broadview Road entrance was unlocked during the wedding season because guests left late at night and arrived early in the morning. He said Richfield Police regularly patrol the area, and there have been no problems with vandalism.

Board Treasurer Dave Wehner suggested the board should leave the fence alone rather than repair it or remove it. He added that portions should be removed if they become an eyesore to neighbors.

Buildings

Piepsny recommended that the board restore the North House in a way similar to Amity House so it can be rented to families renting the Lodge.

“There is real demand. … I firmly believe the North House will have the same type of excitement [as Amity],” he said.

Board member Holly Price said that while she appreciated the restoration of Amity House, it is not known what issues could arise if North House is rented for overnight stays.

“I appreciate what we’ve done with the Lodge and Amity,’’ she said. “But Amity is still very new for us and we don’t know what we will encounter. I would like for us to enjoy the trails more.”

Piepsny reminded the board that HTZ Construction has offered to provide design work for North House at no cost. Cuyahoga Valley Career Center students will do work on the house in 2026.

Wehner said he wants to see how rental of the Amity House works out. “If the demand is there, I’m all for [repairing and renting] North House,” he said.

Added Selig, “It seems that we plan to save it, so I don’t see any harm in proceeding with improving it.”

Responding to the survey’s conclusion that respondents were most interested in the trails, board member Mike Lyons said people renting the buildings also enjoy the trails.  

Piepsny added the history of those buildings is important and they are like million dollar homes. “It makes sense to keep those buildings,” he said.

He suggested that some of the latrines and old shelters in the park be removed.

Planning

Piepsny said he wants to create a three-to-five-year plan for the park. Selig said that would help in applying for grants.

Board Member Mark Robeson agreed, and said the board could check off items to assure they are staying on target.

Endowment

Gantner suggested an endowment fund could be created. Wehner cautioned that more start-up cash would be needed.

“I’m skeptical that we would do very well in soliciting funds,” said Lyons.

Board member Steve McPeake added that there is no structure to create such a fund.

Selig said the board could prepare a list of projects to suggest to prospective donors.

Operations

When asked what he needs to continue to manage the park, Piepsny said funding is the ultimate need. “Amity is the best way to get that,” he said. “People enjoy the park. The reviews are good. We’ve had a few instances of wedding guests getting a little rambunctious, but we’ve not received any noise complaints. I don’t know of other rental facilities that have a lake view,” he said.