Coldwater boasts one of the most beautiful parks in the area with a swimming pool, multiple ball diamonds, shelter houses, an amphitheater, playgrounds and much more. Its existence is due to generous community members, businesses and organizations that continue to donate funds and other resources. 

The park’s most consistent funding source is the Coldwater Community Picnic.

How Coldwater Memorial Park got its start

Long before Coldwater Memorial Park was dedicated in 1945, a small playground called Waterworks Park gave children a place to play. It was located north of Sycamore Street, across from the former New Idea plant, east of the railroad.

The idea to set aside land for a new, much larger park in Coldwater was first addressed in October 1915 in an editorial written by a local businessman. He suggested that steps be taken soon to secure a plat of ground – about 10 acres – before nothing suitable was left in the village. The businessman asked the community’s opinion on how to fund the project. 

No other information was found on the subject until 1944, when the local Lion’s Club and other groups proposed building a new park on a 10-acre plot to the north of town. The available land was the last remaining partially wooded lot in the village. The property was owned by Mrs. Cecelia Selhorst who always had a “true civic spirit,” a source noted in a story written about the sale. 

On Dec. 18, 1944, the park and recreation committee – in an emergency measure – established the Recreation Board for the park. The board consisted of five members, including two from the board of education of the Coldwater School District. An organizational meeting was held four days later.

According to historical notes, Mrs. Selhorst on Dec. 26, 1944, made an offer to sell the wooded lot to the park board. The board agreed to purchase the 10 acres for $200 an acre for improved land and $250 per acre for woodland. 

From late 1944 through 1945, about $6,000 was raised among businesses and industries to pay for the 10-acre lot.

On Feb. 14, 1946, the Recreation Board voted to move the playground equipment at Waterworks Park to Coldwater Memorial Park. Soon after, the first baseball diamond was laid out in the new park. With added lighting, the first night baseball game was held in August 1947.

A pond in the park was filled in after a park board vote on March 26, 1948. Members agreed there was an insufficient water supply to maintain vegetation and beauty. In that same month, park board member C. M. Robbins announced interest in further development and improvement plans. A few of the items discussed were additional light fixtures at the diamond, two large sandboxes donated by the Knights of Columbus, six picnic tables and 12 benches to be built, horseshoe courts and a shelter house. The Coldwater Garden Club planned to do landscaping.

On June 19 and 20, 1948, a Memorial Park Jamboree was held with about 3,000 people in attendance. About $4,111 was raised to fund the park. A few prizes were awarded during the Jamboree such as a washing machine, a sweeper, a bicycle, a pressure cooker, a Big Ben clock, fuel oil and a quilt. A Boy Scout Court of Honor ceremony was also held.

On Aug. 24, 1948, a donkey ball game was also organized to raise money for park improvements. All players, except the pitchers and catchers, rode actual donkeys.

Coldwater Memorial Park never stops improving

 In 1949, a tennis court and the first shelter house were built. 

The first discussion by town officials to build a swimming pool in the park took place Aug. 23, 1940. But groundbreaking for the first pool didn’t occur until April 17, 1953. The contract for the oval-shaped swimming pool was held by Matt Schwieterman, but much of the work was completed by volunteers, including students from Coldwater schools. The pool budget was $30,000. It opened to swimmers in August 1954.

In the spring of 1957, Albert Sutter asked park board member Bill Donauer if the village was interested in expanding the park by purchasing 40 acres he owned northwest of town. Home development planners wanted to buy the land from Sutter, but he preferred it be used as park property, he said.

On May 14, 1957, the village bought about 23 acres of Sutter’s land for $1,000 per acre. The school board bought 10.714 acres of the available land, which eventually became the site of Coldwater Stadium. Area industries bought the remaining 5.333 acres.

In the summer of 1958, two new ball diamonds were built, one with lighting. Two Little League diamonds were also added and a large picnic area with tables, benches and outdoor cooking facilities. 

In 1962, restrooms were built and an ice rink with lights was created in the winter. The following year, in 1963, the parking lot was built.

In 1973, the old Penn Central railroad station/depot on East Main Street was moved to the northeast corner of the park with the help of dozens of contractors, electricians and decorators, amateur and professional. The depot continues to be used today for meetings and parties.

Other early improvements at the park:

• 1973-1974: Four new tennis courts were built.
• September 1974: The old swimming pool was torn down.
• May 1975: A new pool was constructed on the same site using the same bath house. The cost was $190,319.
• 1978: The village purchased a narrow, 3.8-acre strip of land, expanding the park property to 36 acres.

By 1988, the park was a bustling place with six baseball diamonds, two full-size basketball courts, eight horseshoe pits, four handball courts, five volleyball courts, four tennis courts, four shelter houses, a gazebo, a 7,886-square-foot swimming pool, kiddie and other playground areas, picnic facilities and a depot.

Numerous improvements and additions have occurred over the years, as documented in the village council and park board meeting notes. A few of the biggest and most costly additions were bleachers, press boxes, shelter houses, a jungle gym, a new restroom/storage facility, lighting, depot renovation, a baby pool and trees. 

The shack (concession stand) in the park was purchased by the village in November 2001. It was rebuilt in May 2010 with funds donated from the Francis Pax family.

Perhaps one of the biggest additions to the park was the amphitheater, which was dedicated on June 5, 2018 at the northeast corner. The towering structure spans 1,600 square feet and is used frequently for concerts. It was built with a $200,000 grant from the state capital improvement fund and $50,000 from the Coldwater Community Picnic Association.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for “A Park 4 All Abilities” was held in the spring of 2021. The committee raised funds to create multiple areas in the park with playground equipment that is suited for all children to navigate and enjoy.

The first Christmas at Memorial Park program was held at the park in December 2021. Spearheaded by the Coldwater Kiwanis Club, the free event included a parade, thousands of Christmas lights, and two back-to-back weekends filled with activities for families.

In February 1999, a Boost the Park Fund was formed via the Mercer County Civic Foundation. The idea to set up such a funding mechanism was introduced by Dave Lefeld and Mauri Cron. The fund continues to accept donations for maintenance, development, improvements, land and equipment purchase, payment of services and insurance for the park.

A Boost the Park Fund was established in 1999 to maintain, develop and improve the park. Donations can be made anytime with a check made payable to Boost the Park Fund. Checks can be sent to the Mercer County Civic Foundation, PO Box 439, Celina, OH 45822, or dropped off at the Coldwater Village Office.   

Written by Shelley Grieshop