About Wooster Memorial Park

Consisting of 422 acres, the Park is known for its wooded, steep ravines and scenic Rathburn Run, a tributary of the Little Killbuck Creek that bisects the Park. Native woodland wildflowers are abundant in April and May, and the many trees provide picturesque autumn colors.

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Wooster Memorial Park was created through the vision of Paul S. Spangler (1900-1986). A Wooster native and high school teacher, Mr. Spangler long dreamed of this area becoming a park. In 1961, he began a series of land donations to the City of Wooster (133 acres), stipulating that the area be named ‘Wooster Memorial Park’ in memory of his family and his strong faith. Through local foundations, the City purchased 121 acres of land (part of the Becker farm) northwest of Mr. Spangler’s gift. In June 1963, with Mr. Spangler and Mayor Robert Culbertson in attendance, Wooster Memorial Park was dedicated. An additional 71 acre Strock property, purchased with Clean Ohio funds, were added to the park in 2007. In 2008 the Monitor bank 6 acres were added. In 2013 the Kenwood property added 49.2 acres to the park that was converted into ADA accessible trails in 2018. In 2018 the park acquired both the Roller (34.4 acres) and Tooley (16.3 acres) properties bringing the total acreage of the park to 422 acres.

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Wooster Memorial Park has been designated by the City of Wooster as an area that will be preserved in its natural state in perpetuity.