Kent City Parks

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Fred Fuller Park,

off Middlebury Road, is Kent's largest park encompassing over 56 acres of land given to the City of Kent in 1934 by Lamson & Sessions Company. The park, which borders and crosses the Cuyahoga River, was developed into a multi-use park over the years, primarily through the involvement of Kent citizens.

Kramer Field ballfield complex is used in the spring, summer, and fall for youth baseball and softball, and adult slow and fast pitch softball. A total of four fields, two of which are lighted, are located at this "island" complex along with a small playground area, restrooms, and concession stand.

Fred Fuller Park has been a favorite location for family reunions at one of the six picnic shelters which all have playgrounds of varying sizes nearby. The Roy H. Smith Shelterhouse provides an enclosed meeting place for organizations and residents of Kent as well as a venue for receptions, parties, and pre-school programs.

A nature trail travels along the edge of the river the entire length of the park and connects to the John Brown Tannery Park on Stow Street. The trail can be accessed from the end of the picnic shelter area, behind the Roy Smith Shelterhouse and at the Harvey Redmond Bridge (which crosses the river to Kramer Fields). Annual events to which all residents of Kent are invited include a spring Easter Egg Hunt, September's Art in the Park, a Halloween Extravaganza, and a Turkey trot to celebrate Thanksgiving. Fred Fuller Park is also the location of the main office of Kent Parks & Recreation. Shelters available for rentals.

Fred Fuller Park Photos courtesy of Elena Fadeeva

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Al Lease Park

features picnic shelters, a gazebo, a lake, soccer and baseball fields, and two playgrounds. Named after Al Lease, who was actively involved in Kent Youth Baseball this thirty-one acre park expanded in 1990 on the west side of Kent off Silver Meadow Blvd.

Extensive landscaping gives this park a mature appearance. One of the most attractive passive recreation areas is a wooden walkway leading through a wetlands area to a large gazebo. Quiet observers can glimpse deer and pheasants that live in the area.

Of course, the park is not just for passive recreation. A four-acre lake has been stocked with shellcracker, large-mouth bass, and channel catfish so fishing enthusiasts of all ages can spend lazy afternoons on the bank. There are four picnic shelters in the park as well as a number of individual tables, each equipped with a grill, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A regulation soccer field, baseball diamond with a grass infield, basketball court, volleyball court, and two playground areas. In 2000 permanent restroom facilities and an underground field irrigation system were installed. In 2002, a one mile looping Hike & Bike trail was installed. In 2003, a 20-car parking lot was developed off of Admore Drive giving the park an additional access point. Shelters available for rentals.

Franklin Mills Riveredge Park

follows the course of the Cuyahoga River from Gougler Street at Brady's Leap Park to Stow Street at John Brown Tannery Park. Developed on land deeded to the city by both Lamson and Sessions Company and the Kent family heirs during 1934-35, the park is named after the original settlement along the river—Franklin Mills. This park is in the center of the city and is accessible from Stow Street on the south, from River Street via two stairways on the west end of the Main Street bridge. The park is accessible to the handicapped behind the Portage Paper Box Company on River Street, and on Gogular Street behind Family & Community Services.

The main activity in this park is passive exploration of the Riveredge and its natural and historic features. Presently there are pathways and decks developed to make viewing the falls at the Main Street Dam (circa. 1836) and reaching the Riveredge easier. A recent improvement is the lighting of a section of the trail and the dam. There are three stairs that go to the Riveredge that allow wading and fishing during low water. A walkway that goes under the historic Main Street Bridge (circa. 1876) leads to a trail that ends at Brady's Leap Park. Picnic tables and benches are spaced along this section of the trail

John Brown Tannery Park

encompasses the former site of a tannery built in 1836 by noted abolitionist John Brown and it listed on the National Register of Historic Plans. In the 1970's, reclamation of the site by Kent Environmental Council volunteers began, and today a natural amphitheater and a gazebo, constructed form tannery building wood grace the area.

The major uses of this park are picnicking, strolling, sitting, and fishing. These activities are accommodated by the gazebo, several fishing beaches, and miscellaneious benches and tables. in addition, a handicapped accessible fishing dock is available in this park.

Crooked River Adventures canoe and kayak livery is located here.

Plum Creek Park

is located on 25 acres of land off Mogadore Road. The land was purchased by the City of Kent from the Kent Water and Light Company in 1923, and at various times was used as a drinking water reservoir, field for water wells, storage area, a landfill, a gravel pit, and a pistol range. In 1977, the Parks & Recreation Board began an intensive effort to reclaim the land and dredge the reservoir and the park officially opened 1979.

The facilities at Plum Creek have continued to expand over the years to include a baseball diamond, open recreation area, an interpretive center, three picnic shelters, fitness games court, informal picnic areas are located throughout this park and several small bridges lead to islands which are excellent places for fishing.

In July 1993, the Kent Junior Mothers Group agreed to spearhead a major fund raising effort (goal of $90,000) to install a major playground facility for the community entitled "Tree City Play Park". This facility which was completed in 1996 offers equipment geared toward all ages with special consideration given to make the play systems accessible to the mental and physically challenged. Shelters available for rentals.

UPDATE:
The dam at Plum Creek was removed on February 19, 2009. No work on the streambed is currently being done in order to allow time for the sediment to dry. This also allows for more accurate measurements on the amount of sediment that needs to be removed. The contractor has installed an orange safety fence around the entire work area to keep people from getting stuck in the exposed sediment while it is drying. The contractor will mobilize in the beginning of April, and by mid April work will resume at the site. The entire project is expected to wrap up in May 2011.