As we begin a new year at Firestone Park, there are pending additions coming this spring. After several years of delays, for reasons that are not apparent, the Senior Courts (bocce, shuffleboard, and corn hole courts) are scheduled for completion by late spring. They will be dedicated to Perry Kyser, one of the earliest park managers who served during the forties and fifties. We plan a dedication with the date/time to be announced.

Also happening late spring will be the completion of Phase 1 of Project Playground. As noted in the local paper, some of the new playground equipment has arrived. The former structure was taken down before the snows and zero temperatures arrived. The committee has had some very successful fundraising of late, bringing them close to their goal for Phase 1. If you have not contributed yet, please do so to assist them in reaching their first notable goal.

Both of these projects are being funded by the Restoration and Beautification Committee, Senior Courts in its entirety, and Park Project via a donation.

The new Firestone Park Legacy and Visitor Center

Another addition, although not in the park proper, is the Firestone Park Legacy and Visitor Center. Situated at the East Park Avenue entrance to the park, the building was purchased by Patricia Tingle to house the two committees working to support the park: Restoration and Beautification Committee and the Firestone Park Cultural and Custodial Committee. The R&B committee has been in operation for more than twenty years and has been responsible for the Clock in the Square, the bump-outs on Main St., the Welcome to Columbiana sign and landscaping at the junction of route 7 and 164, as well as the pocket park on South Main St.

This past fall the Legacy Center presented an opening program to acquaint the residents of Columbiana with its offerings. We had a nice group of local residents attend to hear about the new center as well as become familiar with what it offers visitors as well as local residents. A large wall-size mural of Idabelle’s Gathering Place welcomes visitors to the center. Jay Groner contributed a Firestone Park Timeline executed by the staff at Sitler the Printer who also developed the decor throughout the main room. A section on the Firestones is also offered showing pictures of the family, books about Harvey Firestone and his development of the company in Akron. Detailed garden plans for the park are also on display and will be changing as the seasons come and go.

Project Playground also has contributed detailed posters and plans for the new playground now in progress. There is also a video section offering tapes of the dedication of the restored park in 2021, and the first Art Show held last August. Josh Menning, local movie maker, is also in the process of filming a documentary on The Gardens at Firestone Park. Skip McCullough of the committees, has also filled a display case full of the cars and planes of the period from 1913-1940, the Firestone Era. Displays and artifacts of Firestone Park over the years will be ever changing; we invite residents to contribute to the effort.

The evening of our first event at the Legacy Center also allowed us to invite each attendee to become a member of the “Friends of Firestone Park,” an organization dedicated to learning about and supporting the park. There is no fee to join and members will receive seasonal newsletters offering events associated with the park including tours, workshops, and special programs. Watch the electronic sign at the center for details on hours and events.

An active Firestone Cultural

and Custodial Committee

The Cultural and Custodial committee sponsors concerts each August and September at the Idabelle Gathering Place and Garden, a fine art exhibition and sale, and educational workshops for small groups. It is also responsible for the maintenance of all the planting beds throughout the park. This includes landscaping of all the pavilion beds, the pool house beds, the Memorial Gardens at Mirror Lake, the park entrance beds, and the Legacy Trail and the Lilac Stroll gardens at Idabelle’s Gathering Place. Finally, this maintenance is funded by the Bradford and Patricia Tingle Foundation and implemented by an outside contractor.

A Source of Community Pride

Firestone Park has been and is becoming more and more the heart of the community. With its beautiful surroundings, its recreational and educational opportunities, as well as its iconic history, it is a source of pride and a special legacy gifted to us by Harvey and Idabelle Firestone more than 80 years ago. Join us as we celebrate and develop this legacy in new and exciting ways.

Both of the committees in this article are welcoming new members. We really need volunteers who are interested in helping us with fundraising, event creation and organization, gardening assistance, and exploration of additional physical improvements to the park. If you would like to become a Friend of the Park, or a member of one of the two committees please contact Pat Tingle at (330) 207 1470 or by email at pat–tingle@msn.com. You may also call the Legacy Center at (330) 397-4706, email the Legacy Center IdabelleFallConcerts@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Firestone Park Cultural and Custodial Committee for more information about all of the exciting and ongoing activities at Firestone Park.