Zachary A. Weber Riverside Park opens to public in memory of Buckeye graduate

LIVERPOOL TWP. — The Medina County Park District's 23rd park opened in memory of Zack Weber on what would have been his 23rd birthday on Friday. Zack Weber was born on July 4, 2002, and died unexpectedly on May 29, 2024. He was a Buckeye High School graduate who loved Cleveland sports and the outdoors. "He planned to graduate from the College of Wooster, where he played football, and come back to Buckeye to teach history and coach football and basketball," the Medina County Park District stated. "In high school, Zack played both sports, won the prestigious Golden Buck Award for outstanding sportsmanship and was homecoming king his senior year." Medina County Park District Director Nate Eppink said the Zachary A. Weber Riverside Park at 6610 Center Road in Liverpool Township was a soybean field last year. Around a year ago, Eppink approached Zack's father Bryan Weber regarding the property. Weber agreed to donate the land within minutes of the conversation, so it could be named in memory of his son. "Zack never sat still," Bryan Weber said. "He would go to football practice, come home and go for a hike in the woods. He would, throughout the year, find the most amazing little parks all over the place I didn't even know existed." It is Medina County Park District's smallest park at around 6.5 acres, and it has access to the Rocky River, Eppink said. The park district added a small parking lot, entry drive and a stone trail to a picnic shelter that was underwritten by the Friends of Medina County Parks. Improvements were also made along the river's edge to provide access to fishermen. "I think this will be a place that the community comes to make memories," he said. "We've already seen a couple people this morning go get coffee and come down here and walk around and take pictures of the river. That's what this is really about." Eppink said the park district wants to see how people use the park over the next six months before making more additions. "We definitely want to add some more seating along the river, and if this picnic shelter gets a lot of use, we could consider adding another one," he said. "There's also been some talk in house about maybe adding a play feature, a small playground, to offer another amenity. Overwhelmingly, the river is the draw, and its proximity to Valley City is what's going to bring people in." Medina County Park District Commissioner Jason Venner said it is the park district's first public park in Liverpool Township. He described it as a pocket park that will have a big impact on Valley City. "It's a great place to have a picnic, turn over stones in the river, bring your dog, go on a first date or have an ice cream cone," he said. "Stories will be made here, and that's important." State Rep. Melanie Miller, R-Ashland, presented the Weber family with a proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives and an American flag that flew over the Ohio Statehouse in honor of Zack Weber. Miller said the land is forever dedicated to a young man who left a lasting imprint on his community and who embodied kindness, determination and quiet leadership, according to his loved ones. "There wasn't a person that Zack came into contact with that he didn't show a smile and kindness to every day," Bryan Weber said. "We hope visitors will remember Zack every Fourth of July and show kindness to everyone they meet so his smile, energy and kindness may live on." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.