Parks upgrades and new Sterkel Park highlight Mansfield improvements

Mayor Jodie Perry used the State of the City to highlight a range of park improvements completed in 2025 and early 2026, crediting federal ARPA funding and a broad set of community partners. She noted upgrades at King Street, Johns, Maple Lake and Prospect Park, a reopening of Middle Park, and a ribbon cutting at King Street Park.

Perry singled out Sterkel Park as the year’s major parks accomplishment. The closing video described Sterkel as an inclusive space with accessible restrooms, playground equipment designed for multiple ages and abilities, a pickleball course, a dog park, an electric-vehicle charging station and programming such as summer camps. The mayor thanked community organizers and nonprofit partners including Michelle Giesey and Richland New Hope for their roles in the project.

Perry stressed that parks serve as civic equalizers where residents of different backgrounds can gather, and she encouraged continued volunteer and philanthropic support for future park work.