Findlay Launches Public Fundraising Campaign for Downtown Recreation Area  

FINDLAY, Ohio — The City of Findlay is kicking off public fundraising for the Downtown Recreation Area, inviting residents, businesses and community organizations to help turn years of flood mitigation work into a lasting destination for recreation and community connection.

The campaign begins with significant commitments from corporate partners and the State of Ohio:

• $1 million from Marathon Petroleum, including an initial $500,000 gift and an additional $500,000 to match local contributions
• $200,000 from Norfolk Southern
• $100,000 from the State Capital Fund toward the discovery play area.

Residents and businesses can support the project through the Downtown Recreation Area fund at the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, with the first $500,000 in eligible local donations matched by Marathon Petroleum.

“This project represents the next step in turning the Blanchard River from a liability into an asset for our community,” said Mayor Christina Muryn. “Years of planning, investment and partnership have brought us to this moment. We now have the opportunity to build on our flood mitigation work and create a place that will serve Findlay for generations.”

The planned recreation area will transform approximately 19 acres along the north side of the Blanchard River into public space designed to accommodate floodwaters while providing recreation throughout much of the year. Planned features include walking paths, discovery and adventure play areas, a splash pad, a skatepark, gathering spaces, a multipurpose stage, native prairie landscaping and a pedestrian bridge connecting the riverbanks.

“Findlay is home to Marathon Petroleum’s headquarters, and we are proud to invest in the community’s future,” said Marlon Sullivan, Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President of Communications for Marathon Petroleum Corporation. “The Downtown Recreation Area will create a welcoming place for residents, employees and visitors to gather, be active and connect. Through our additional $500,000 matching commitment, we hope to inspire others to join us in bringing this vision to life.”

The City and its partners have advanced flood mitigation, engineering and recreation planning together, preparing the river corridor for its next chapter. Completed flood mitigation work, continued coordination on additional improvements, and investment in project design have established a foundation for a recreation project that complements the land’s essential flood protection function.

That preparation also strengthens Findlay’s position as it pursues federal funding. The project combines a defined community vision, an established site, advancing design work and significant local financial commitments. Together, those efforts demonstrate both the community’s support and a practical path toward completing the project.

The City is working to raise $15 million in local funding by the end of 2027 to pair with a request for $15 million through the federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, with the application submitted through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Administered by the National Park Service and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, ORLP is a nationally competitive program supporting the creation and improvement of public outdoor recreation spaces. It provides up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with the remaining share supplied through qualifying matching resources.

Findlay’s project directly addresses the program’s priorities by expanding access to outdoor recreation near downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, providing amenities that respond to community needs, bringing together public and private resources, and incorporating conservation through native plantings and flood-compatible open space. The City’s planning and engineering work, combined with growing financial support, also helps demonstrate project feasibility.

Coordinating the recreational improvements with the next phase of flood mitigation and the subsequent floodplain redraw is essential. Incorporating the planned amenities into that process now will help avoid future regulatory constraints and additional costs associated with adding improvements later.

“We have done the work to prepare for this opportunity, and these generous commitments show that our community is ready to move forward,” Muryn said. “Local donations will help us deliver this project and demonstrate the strong community investment behind our federal funding request. With Marathon Petroleum’s match, this is an especially meaningful time to give.”

To donate, visit City of Findlay Downtown Recreation Area Fund | The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, or contact the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation at 419-425-1100.