Norton Park construction kicks off with tree planting ceremony in Bucyrus

Norton Bicentennial, Inc. marked the official start of Norton Park construction in Bucyrus, Ohio, with a tree planting ceremony held in conjunction with the Bucyrus Rotary Club, which donated $6,700 for new trees.

By Crawford County Now Staff November 18, 2025 7:47 am

SubmittedNorton Bicentennial, IncJeff Reser, President of the Bucyrus Rotary Club, addresses the audience at the Norton Park tree planting ceremony

BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The long-anticipated Norton Park project in Bucyrus officially broke ground with a tree planting ceremony held by Norton Bicentennial, Inc., the site owner, and the Bucyrus Rotary Club. The event took place on the land formerly occupied by Freddie’s Restaurant and the Ice Plant, signaling the start of construction for the community greenspace.

Randy Fischer, President of Norton Bicentennial, Inc., opened the ceremony by outlining the scope of Phase I work. This initial phase, currently underway, involves cutting in the primary drives and the large gathering space, preparing the area for paving next year. Crucial underground infrastructure is also being installed.

Fischer stressed that the park is funded entirely through individual and corporate donations as well as State of Ohio Capital Funds and is not a City of Bucyrus project.

Bucyrus Rotary Club President Jeff Reser then announced the club’s generous financial commitment to the park. The local club donated $5,000 from its funds for the purchase of trees, supplemented by an additional $1,700 from a Rotary Fund Grant, bringing the total donation to $6,700.

“We are grateful to the Rotary club for its generous contribution to Norton Park,” Fischer stated. “It’s this kind of local support that will make this project a success.”

Oberlander’s Tree and Landscape, LTD., planted the new trees immediately following the ceremony. Other key contractors for the project include General Contractor Studer-Obringer Inc. and Hockenberry Trucking and Excavating.

The ceremony concluded with the planting of the last of five Orange Brilliance Serviceberry trees along Sandusky Avenue.

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