Parks and Recreation
100 Brinkerhoff Avenue
Mansfield, Ohio 44906
Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Park Superintendent: Mark Abrams
Park Pavilion Reservations
419.522.9801
Mansfield City Parks boast a rich history dating back to the 1800s beginning with Central Park and continue to thrive today. Spanning over 2,300 acres across 22 parks, the facilities offer something for everyone. Enjoy playgrounds, VersaCourt outdoor basketball surface courts, baseball fields, indoor & outdoor pavilions, picnic areas with shelters, charcoal grills, parking lots, restrooms, skateparks, splash pads, hiking trails, and even a dog park. The parks feature an 18-hole disc golf course, Story Walk trails, a historic blockhouse, and a pioneer village complete with a homestead garden and working blacksmith shop. Explore nature trails, Bike/Hike paved trails, native plant pollinator gardens, and a Walking Arboretum.
For recreation and learning, there are special events, nature and arts programs, kids’ summer camps, historical reenactments, and supervised recreational & educational activities. The parks are connected to local communities and attractions through paved trails linking to the Richland B & O trail, making them easily accessible.
Additionally, Mansfield City Parks are safe, welcoming green spaces with free Brightspeed Fiber Internet WiFi hot spots, advanced AI security systems, and police patrols, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for all visitors—whether you’re exploring alone or spending quality time with friends and family.
North Lake Park
The park is located at 625 Hope Road in Mansfield, Ohio, and covers about 20 acres. North Lake Park offers many amenities to hold various events. Whether you are looking to go biking on the B&O Bike Trail’s northern-most point in Mansfield, fishing, playing basketball, splash pad, hiking, or hosting a party, North Lake Park is a great location. Some of the amenities include a basketball court, a pond for fishing, charcoal grills, playground equipment, and a picnic area for you and your family to enjoy the outdoors. The indoor pavilion offers a kitchen and a nice open area to set up tables and chairs for all your group’s needs.
LIBERTY Park
The park is located at 577 Grace Street in Mansfield, Ohio, and covers about twenty-four (24) acres. In 1937, the folks who lived in the neighborhoods near Grace Street wanted a city park where their kids could play close to home, so they took it upon themselves to raise the money it took to buy 24 acres with a small creek. Today, A NEW state-of-the-art VersaCourt outdoor basketball surface was installed with financial assistance from Coca-Cola CONSOLIDATED and BODYARMOR and numerous community groups and volunteers. The Rewild Liberty Park is a grassroots community group dedicated to creating and implementing a rewilding plan for the spring-fed stream in Liberty Park. The goal would be to remove invasive species and replace them with native plants and trees to support biodiversity and improve the water quality entering the duck pond. The Liberty DIY Skatepark signed an adopt-a-park agreement with the city, which allows him to take charge of Liberty Park’s fenced-in tennis courts. A plan is being developed by Skate Mansfield/Skate Ohio and local skaters to turn the 25,000-square-foot pad into a skate park by building their obstacles and fundraising through Skate Ohio, a newly formed non-profit based in Butler, Ohio.
ADDITION: We have added a SUMMER Sports Chest at Liberty Park with basketballs, baseballs, gloves, soccer balls, frisbees, and a football. We wanted to make sure the kids have something to do over the summer if they can’t afford their own equipment. The only rule is to use them at your leisure and put them back when you are done. Addition of the WINTER Sled Shed at the park’s sledding hill. This shed contains FREE sleds that can be used by the community members and returned when finished. Special thank you to Skate Mansfield/Skate Ohio for making this possible. If anyone has slightly used sports equipment they’d like to donate, please let is know.
Johns Park
The park is located on Johns Avenue in Mansfield, Ohio, and covers about 22 acres. The land that is Johns Park was donated to the city in 1907, though the neighborhood around it — known then as the Johns Addition — had been in place since the 1890s. Johns Park provides many opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors while hosting a group or event inside the pavilion. The outdoor pavilion is in the middle of the park, so you can see what is going on all around you. The park has a splash pad, soccer field, basketball court, playground, and picnic area. The inside of the pavilion can hold tables and chairs that can be set up exactly how you like.
Prospect Park
The park is located at 542 Marquis, Mansfield, Ohio, and covers about three (3) acres. Prospect Park on August 6, 1937, is when kids first waited till the light changed at Safety Town. A new outdoor pavilion under construction was made possible with donations from the Mansfield Rotary Club, Alumni Roofing, and the Richland County Foundation. The park has playground equipment, and you can cook out with the charcoal grills outside as well. The park has a softball/ baseball field attached and a soccer field as well.
STERKEL Park
The park, maintained by the City of Mansfield, is located at 790 Hollywood Lane in Mansfield, Ohio, and covers about 33 acres. The park is named after the late philanthropist Justine Sterkel, who had owned the land off Lexington Avenue and fought to keep the land for public institutions of charity. The Sterkel Community Park for All is one of Ohio’s premier community parks that residents of all ages and levels of abilities can visit and enjoy. The park features large playground areas for different age groups and abilities, shaded seating, water fountains, paved walkways, Story Walk trail, pickleball courts, fitness equipment under the roof, a large outdoor pavilion, ping pong tables, benches, ADA & Family restrooms, picnic tables, a dog park, EV Level 2 Charging station, Free WiFi hot spots, expanded parking areas and more. The park’s grand re-opening is planned for this summer 2025. Watch for media posts.
About $4 million of the $5.4 million goal has been raised for the Community Park for All Campaign. Donations are still needed to complete the fundraising goal for this project and to expand facilities as planned. Donations can be made online at the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce website at richlandareachamber.com by scrolling to the bottom of the chamber’s home page and clicking on “sector groups” under “Initiatives”; then, click on Sterkel Park Sector’s “donate” button. Gift checks can be sent to PARK-RCDG, in care of Newhope, 314 Cleveland Ave., Mansfield, OH 44902.
Burton Park
Burton Park is located at 1177 Sunset Blvd in Mansfield, Ohio, and covers eight (8) acres. The park has a great Pavilion to rent if you want the feel of the woods surrounding you. It lies in the center of many trees, and it is great fun for the kids to enjoy the outdoors. With a giant slide and playground equipment to play on, this park will not disappoint. It has 3 pickleball courts, a basketball court, and soccer fields, and is just large enough to keep an eye on the kids while enjoying relaxation in the pavilion or the picnic areas. In season, the Sunflower Field is planted in spring and starts blooming in early August. The indoor pavilion offers a kitchen, tables, and chairs to set up exactly the way you would like to meet your needs.
South Park
South Park is located at 100 Brinkerhoff Avenue, Mansfield, Ohio, and covers about 35 acres. This park is where many historical and summer activities are held. An outdoor pavilion with an attached kitchen is available for rent. The park has a gazebo, walking trails, a playground, and green open spaces for walking the dog around to enjoy nature. The park features a historical village and monuments honoring our local history, heroes, and Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman. In 2024, the Johnny Appleseed Historic Byway celebrated the 250th birthday of John “Appleseed” Chapman. Stop by and visit the blockhouse’s educational display. From 2025 through 2026, a series of events and workshops will highlight South Park’s & Mansfield’s connection and history, celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
A dedicated group of volunteers from the Richland Early American Center for History ( R.E.A.C.H.) maintain and operate the 1800s historical village located in the park.
The Blockhouse, originally located in Mansfield’s public square, was one of 11 built in the Mansfield area during the War of 1812 as a refuge from Native American attacks and is the last surviving local structure from that era. The 1812 blockhouse, the 1808 Petersburg Log cabin, and blacksmith & woodworking shops are open to the public seasonally and during special events throughout the year. Volunteers operate a Homestead community garden to help educate visitors about how to properly take care of and use herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables to give them the necessities needed to make their gardens at home.
