Bainbridge Township officials are working to make Centerville Mills Park into a recreational center with walking trails and observation decks for the community.
Bainbridge Township officials are working to make Centerville Mills Park into a recreational center with walking trails and observation decks for the community.
The township received a $125,000 grant as a part of a House Bill 2 Capital Improvement Grant Community Parks, Recreation and Conservation Project with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Township officials have been looking for opportunities to change the recreational activities at the park after turning Lake Paternek and Smith Creek back into a natural stream, Assistant Service Director Alex Hansel said in a phone interview, adding that was a part of a $333,250 grant they received in 2020 from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to restore erosion in the walkway, which closed the walking path to the waterfall.
“Now that the lake’s gone, we’re trying to find different ways to allow the community to enjoy that piece of property because it’s a beautiful piece of property,” Hansel said. “So, the bridge is the first phase of an overall project to put walking trails, observation decks, things of that nature throughout the Centerville Mills Park property.”
The first phase of the project involves putting in a bridge connecting Centerville Mills to Smith Creek. The bridge will be 120 feet long and 6-to-8-feet wide with supports at either end and in the middle, said administrative coordinator Christina Piotrowski at the Feb. 24 Bainbridge Township Trustees meeting.
Hansel announced at the March 10 trustees meeting he is working with ODNR to make the park into a state reserve, so eventually, people can visit the falls.
“There used to be a boardwalk that went all the way down steps. Those weren’t maintained well and those were removed, gosh, almost maybe 10 years ago,” said Bainbridge Township Trustee Jeff Markley.
Hansel said ODNR would be in attendance for the April 14 meeting to answer questions.
The agreement has not yet been sent to the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office, as “it needs some work,” added Service Director Jim Stanek.
Construction is expected to start in spring 2026, Hansel said March 18.
