City officials, Rotary Club of Ashland members and residents marked the opening of Lincoln Park with a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday at Troy Road and West 11th Street, the corner where Lincoln Elementary School once stood.
The 1.4-acre parcel offers playground equipment, a basketball court, pavilions, benches, picnic tables and a dog park. Mayor Matt Miller said former Lincoln Elementary teachers approached him roughly seven years ago with the idea, and he recalled that no money had been set aside in the city budget for a new park. The city acquired the property from Ashland City Schools in 2025 for $1,000, working with Superintendent Steve Paramore.
Rotarian Maryanne Wise brought the project to Miller, who described brainstorming sessions with club members. The Rotary Club led fundraising and collected $88,900, while Miller put the city's contribution at about $160,000, roughly $130,000 of which came from a Community Development Block Grant. Club president Dr. Stephen Yoder thanked the city and the many contributors, and Rotary District #6600 Gov. Katherine Eboch praised the multi-group collaboration.
The Norma Foundation paid for the basketball court; Abby Conner said the organization expanded its support after visiting the site and seeing available green space. Miller said an eight-foot chain link fence will be added around the court to keep basketballs off nearby streets. Ralph and Betty Jo Tomassi provided substantial funding, especially for the dog park. State Rep. Melanie Miller presented a proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives. According to the mayor, the school district still holds the original Lincoln Elementary cornerstone and plans to transfer it to the city for installation at the park along with a flagpole.