Public & Green Space

NEW! ADULT FITNESS FACILITY

Copley Township completed the installation of an adult fitness facility area at the Copley Community Park located at 3232 Copley Road. The fitness facility is located near the entrance from Copley Rd. and features several standard and handicapped parking spaces for easy access. In addition to the parking spaces, the project entailed the construction of a 20’ X 40’ concrete pad to house the equipment, turf installation, and connection to the Sunside Trail. The equipment itself provides users of all ages the ability to exercise on twelve different machines; some provide adjustable resistance dials to make the movements more challenging. Some of the machines include chest and back press, ab crunch and leg lift, elliptical, and squat press.

This project would not be possible without the donation of the land itself from the Village of St. Edward and the Community Development Block Grant received from Summit County to purchase the equipment and turf. To thank both entities, a dedication ceremony is planned during the Arbor Day 2023 celebration, on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

COPLEY TREE CANOPY

Copley Township is dedicated to the preservation of the tree canopy found in our area. The Department of Community and Economic Development is committed to this mission through the engagement of tree preservation activities found in residential and commercial development.

Copley Township, OH, was named 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. Copley achieved Tree City USA recognition for the first time by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. Copley is one of only four Township’s recognized as a Tree City USA in the state of Ohio.

Trees provide multiple benefits to a community when properly planted and maintained. They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits. More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

ARTICLE 16 Tree Preservation

LITTLE FARMS ACTIVE RECREATIONAL PLAN

The Little Farms Active Recreational Plan is a long-term project which was the byproduct of a local grant aimed at increasing access and improving walkability within the Township. The Little Farms Active Recreational Plan is designed to allow public access through off-road trails in addition to preserving land which can be used for stormwater retention, educational research, and wildlife conservancy efforts. The Township has actively participated with land assembly and partnered with nearby stakeholders such as the University of Akron to make this Plan a reality. The implementation of the Plan will result in future generations who reap the benefit of an ecologically rich and vibrant Little Farms area.

TRAILS & GREENWAYS PLAN

Connectivity is key. The Department of Community & Economic Development is dedicated to the pursuit of trails and greenways which connect Copley's residents to the community we live in. Through the use of a Trails & Greenways Committee and partnerships with residential and commercial developers, we will continue to build and implement practices that encourage connectivity in the Township.

Copley Township was graciously awarded $750,000 from the State of Ohio through the Capital Budget for the design and construction of a trail along Ridgewood Road stretching from Hametown Road east, to Cleveland-Massillon Road, roughly 1.2 miles long. This was Copley’s first Capital Budget award and was one of the highest trail projects awards across the state. With nearly half of the Township’s residents located west of State Route 21, the Ridgewood Road Trail Project will provide an off-road route to the east side of Route 21 and, more importantly, the high school, making it safer for kids to get to school.

The first step in the project is to begin the preliminary design of the trail and evaluate preferred trail width and locations. Environmental Design Group (EDG) has been selected to assist the Township in engineering the trail prior to construction. The Township and EDG will be hosting several public meetings with hopes of increasing public involvement to provide open communications about the project status and to facilitate dialogue with property owners about the most logical and least impactful locations for the trail. Exact locations and dimensions have yet to be determined but will be evaluated based on topography, utilities, and right-of-way.

The funding received from the state and the committed funds from the Township will not cover the total cost of the entire project, However, we will design the entire scope of the project but we are hopeful funding is in place to cover a majority of the construction. More information on public meetings will be shared in the coming months. Any questions related to this project can be directed to Loudan Klein, Director of Community and Economic Development.