MANSFIELD — Cole Eihorn delivered tough news to the Starkel Park for All Committee Thursday morning.
If you want to appeal to Gen Z, you need to log off from Facebook.
“I don’t use Facebook,” said Eichhorn, a sophomore at Lexington High School. “My mother is a big fan of Facebook.”
Eicorn presented his advice for raising awareness of parks at a Young Leaders Institute (YLI) session on Thursday. He advised posting different types of content on different social media platforms.
Richland-New Hope Superintendent Michele Giese joked after the presentation, “They kept an eye on me and put my Facebook on the list for 'adult appeal.'
Eicorn and his colleagues are all members of this year's Young Leaders Institute (YLI), run by the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce. This program brings together sophomores from across Richland County and focuses on leadership skills, community involvement, and career exploration.
“We want our students to learn more about their local community and hopefully stay involved so that when they grow up, they can live their lives in Richland County,” said Angie Cirone, program director. .
Thursday's presentation was the culmination of this year's YLI Capstone Project. Participants worked in groups to complete a presentation and accompanying research report.
“We wanted to give our students a voice in community efforts,” Cirone said.
“I sincerely hope that several members of the group will continue to participate in the Starkel Park effort and that the committee will be able to utilize some of their ideas.”
Students propose various marketing strategies, events, and volunteer groups
Students suggested using a combination of digital and print advertising, including more traditional methods such as billboards, playground signs, and flyers.
All of them recommended the park's active social media pages.
“The reality is that all these social media platforms are important because they are targeting a specific age group,” Gies told Aihon.
“What do you think is the most efficient way to target the population we are trying to attract to the park?”
Eichhorn said he believes Instagram likely has the most diverse audience.
“So do kids my age, so does my mother,” he told the committee. “Most of the people on TikTok and Snapchat are kids my age.”
Liv Penrod of Madison Comprehensive High School said signs could be even more effective because they are less likely to be ignored.
“If you’re scrolling through Instagram or TikTok, it’s swiped away within two seconds,” she said.
Many student organizations advised promoting the park with events such as concerts, sports days, tournaments, and movie nights.
Ontario High School's Payne Schwartz encouraged the group to contact daycare centers, pediatricians, churches and schools to help spread the word.
Some said a network of volunteers would increase community awareness of the park. Joel Vega, a park board member who lives in the neighborhood, said it's likely the former Friends of Starkel Park group will return.
“This park in particular has a long history of volunteering,” he said. “For a while, volunteers were mowing the lawn and uprooting trees.”
Members of the Starkel Park for All committee said the teens' input was helpful.
“I think there are definitely some ideas that we can take and implement, especially working with us as we try to continue the project after the program and increase awareness of the park. Especially if we can 'break down some of the barriers they've identified,''' Gies said.
Cirone said he hopes future YLI cohorts can continue to work with local nonprofits and community efforts.
“I don't think the community always consults young people,” she says. “We hope this program is a way to listen to young people and find out what they want from their communities.”
Starkel Park for All features playgrounds for all ages and abilities
Starkel Park is located at the end of Hillcrest Street, a residential dead-end street. Just a short distance from Raintree Residential Facility in New Hope and his YMCA in North Central Ohio.
“It's on the other side of the hill, in the shade, so it's a great park experience, but it's hard to get awareness,” said Barrett Thomas, another member of the revitalization committee.
When Giese first proposed the idea to Mansfield City Council in 2021, all of the park's play equipment was old and some was broken.
But the $5.4 million renovation cost is about more than new play equipment. It's about creating recreational spaces that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy.
According to the Starkel Park fundraiser, Richland County has 13,000 people with disabilities and 23,000 seniors who will benefit from the new facility.
According to Community Parks for All campaign organizers, this 20-acre, ADA-compliant park will “enhance children's motor and sensory skills, challenge sports enthusiasts, and support activities for seniors. There will be five zones with amenities and opportunities to “bring families together.”
Plans for the park include wheelchair-accessible play equipment, paved walking paths, ADA-compliant restrooms, pavilions, fitness equipment, ping pong tables, pickleball courts, a sky tower, and more.
Construction began last year, but renovations to the park are being done in phases as fundraising continues. Giese said he hopes to have the parking lot and main playground area completed and open to the public by the fall.
Of the $5.4 million needed, $4.3 million has been raised so far.
How can I donate to the park?
Several community groups and government agencies have donated, but more funds are needed to complete the project.
Supporters can donate online by visiting richlandgives.mightycause.com and searching for “Sterkel Park Sector.”
To donate by mail, please send a check payable to “RCDG-Park Project” managed by Richland Newhope. The address is 314 Cleveland Ave, Mansfield, Ohio 44902.
Donations are tax deductible.
Previous donors include: Family and Children First Council, Richland County Developmental Disabilities Commission New Hope, Starkel Foundation, City of Mansfield, Richland County Commissioners, State of Ohio, Richard and Arline Landers Foundation , the Ashland County Community Foundation, and others. Taylor Fund and Richland County Foundation General Fund.
