The city is continuing to make improvements to Memorial Park in accordance with its Master Improvement Plan. At this time, the focus is the Memorial Park lower pavilion project, which is moving forward as a result of a recent grant announcement for the project.
In a statement from Mayor Paul Marnecheck, “on Monday, June 15, 2026, Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 450, the state capital appropriations budget through June 30, 2028. Included in the bill is $700,000 in funding through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for the City of North Royalton to support construction of a new all-season pavilion at Memorial Park. The new pavilion would replace the existing lower pavilion near the pond and provide year-round use, along with additional accessible restrooms for the lower portion of the park. The project is still in the early planning stages and was originally recommended as part of the 2021 Memorial Park Master Plan, which reflected input from residents and park users. The project was previously estimated at approximately $1.3 million. The City will continue reviewing design options and updated cost estimates while seeking additional funding sources, including potential support through Cuyahoga County.”
Community Development Director Tom Jordan said that the estimated budget from the master plan was $1.3 million. $700,000 goes a long way towards that. He shared that the city is applying for another $200,000 from the county. The city must do further design review and cost estimating on the actual cost. He shared that the city is well towards the goal of receiving a substantial amount of money for the lower pavilion.
The plan to renovate the park began in fall, 2020, when city administrators commissioned Cleveland-based Behnke Landscape Architecture for the project. At that time, the plan was to design and implement upgrades there that will rejuvenate the space and better utilize this asset to its full potential. Memorial Park sits on about thirty-one acres, located on the west side of State Road, between North Akins Road and Royalton Road.
The plan for the updating of Memorial Park has been taking place in phases, with the completion of the splash pad, demolition and rebuilding of the upper pavilion, including a new concrete pad, grills and waste containers. The bridge that connects the small island has been updated and strengthened, as well as the naturalization of the banks around the pond. The all-purpose trail was then completed and now circles the entire property.
The city is waiting to hear from the County regarding possible funding for the pavilion project. At that point, the city will review design options and update the cost estimates for the project.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
