BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Yesterday, State Legislators Senator Bill Renieke and Representative Riordon McClain came to Bucyrus to formally announce a grant for the Norton Park project. The grant, of $400,000.00, comes from the State of Ohio’s Biennial Capital Budget.
Ohio’s capital budget is enacted for a two‑year “biennium,” in even‑numbered years. The Office of Budget and Management (OBM) prepares the capital plan with recommendations for construction or purchase of capital assets for state agencies, colleges, and universities, and may also include infrastructure grant programs and community projects. The Norton Park project will be administered by the States Department of Natural Resources.
(Photo: Norton Legacy Group)
Norton Park – solely owned and will be operated by the Norton Legacy Group, a private 501-c-3 – is the restoration of 2.5 acres of abandoned land on the northside of downtown Bucyrus. The Park, it was announced, is scheduled to open in the spring of 2027and will include parking for food trucks, a plaza for dining and large gatherings, a dog stop, and monuments to Johnny Appleseed, who planted apple trees nearby, and Bucyrus’ Founders, Sam and Mary Norton.
In addition to the legislators, Todd Boyer, VP of Corporate Communications for The Ohio Mutual Insurance Group, spoke on the many ways this park will benefit Bucyrus and the surrounding community. The Legislators spoke of the advantages of public- private partnerships such as the Norton Park project and praised the community for its efforts to push the project forward.