CITY NEWS See how Green started and has evolved over the last 30 years.

Celebrating

Get a closer look at the makings of our prosperous, vibrant community. 30 YearsBy Rachel Hagenbaugh

» WHEN GREEN BECAME A CITY

IN 1992, the founders wasted no time creating a strong foundation for a bright future. Now, as the city celebrates its 30th anniversary, there’s a sense of pride surrounding how far Green has come and the opportunities that lie ahead.

To shape the city, work needed to be done by local leaders and administrators to create the various departments and set the city up for success.

“Our founders understood the economic potential of this community,” says Valerie Wolford, the city’s communications manager. “Over the last 30 years, our leaders have fostered growth by investing in our infrastructure, making our roadways more efficient even as we grow, improving connectivity and making the city more pedestrian friendly.”

Among Green’s proudest accomplishments is its dedication to creating a magnificent parks system. During the past 30 years, Green’s parkland has grown from 5 acres to more than 700.

“The founders set aside income tax specifically for parks capital — that shaped our city. We were a big square block of land, and preserving green space for public use was key,” Wolford says. “Today, if you move here, there are great parks, and you think they’ve been here forever. But they haven’t — they were very deliberate.”

On the horizon, plans are in the works for infrastructure improvements, including two roundabouts on Massillon Road south of Interstate 77 (one that intersects with Boettler Road and another at Corporate Woods Circle) that will be completed by fall 2023. Plans also are in progress to add new amenities to Kreighbaum and Kleckner parks.

“Everything we do, we do it to improve the quality of life for our residents,” Wolford says. “We hope that in the end, they see the hard work that goes into it and the value that it gives back to them.”

Share Your Story

Whether you’re a native of Green or moved here last year, take a moment to visit

cityofgreen.org/Memories

and share your fondest memory of the city. We will capture the memories as a part of our 30th anniversary celebration and share select ones on social media and on the City’s website.