City of Toledo, YMCA of Greater Toledo & Community Partners Celebrate Opening of Inez Nash Park

The City of Toledo and community partners celebrated the completion of Inez Nash Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a major milestone in the revitalization of the Warren-Sherman neighborhood. The $2.5 million project provides enhanced recreational opportunities and community gathering spaces for residents of all ages.

The park’s design was developed through multiple public engagement meetings to ensure community input guided its transformation. The Collaborative and Edge Group contributed to the design, while Rudolph Libbe, the contractor who built the nearby Wayman D. Palmer YMCA, constructed the park.

“Over the past seven years, we’ve invested more than $28 million in park improvements across the city, building safer, more welcoming outdoor spaces for families in every neighborhood. I’m proud to add Inez Nash Park to that list, creating a space where neighbors can connect, play, and grow together,” Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said.

The park is designed to provide residents of all ages with safe, modern, and accessible spaces to gather, play, and stay active. Inez Nash Park now features a loop walking trail, two pickleball courts, an open-air shelter, a small amphitheater area, a playground for ages 2–5, a playground for ages 5–12, and an irrigated athletic field. The PNC Foundation provided a generous donation to support the new nature-based education and play space as part of its early childhood education initiative.

“The property swap between the City and the YMCA has resulted in a huge win for the Wayman Palmer neighborhood. The residents now have a state-of-the-art YMCA facility and a brand-new park designed to support the recreational and social needs of the neighborhood, Joe Fausnaugh, Director of Parks and Youth Services, said. “We are so excited to finally cut the ribbon and invite the public in to explore the reimagined Inez Nash Park."

A highlight of the park will be a basketball shoot-around area featuring a mural, with the court expected to be completed in the spring of 2026. The mural, created by New York City–based visual artist and designer Andrea Bergart, is funded through the Arts Commission’s 1% for the Arts program.

“Today marks more than the completion of a park. It represents the full transformation of this neighborhood with the new Wayman D. Palmer YMCA and Inez Nash Park standing side by side. Together, these spaces are designed to serve the needs of our community for generations to come,” Brad Toft, President and COO of YMCA of Greater Toledo, said. “We are deeply grateful to the City of Toledo and Mayor Kapszukiewicz for their support in making this dream a reality. This is a celebration of partnership, progress, and the promise of a healthier, stronger community.”

“PNC is excited to be a part of the transformation of Inez Nash Park and provide a nature-based space for our youngest learners,” Bill McDonnell, PNC Bank Regional President for Toledo and Northwest Ohio and YMCA board member, said. “Today, we see the results of the collaboration between amazing public and private organizations to help create fun, educational resources for children and families in Toledo.”

“This new Inez Nash Park, reflects our prioritization of investment in neighborhood parks and playgrounds to enhance the quality of life in our communities,” Rosalyn Clemens, Director of Housing and Community Development, said. “We are committed to deploying a minimum of $1 million annually, to complete substantial renovations and upgrades to all parks and playgrounds in underserved communities”.

Inez Nash Park has long served as a hub for the Warren-Sherman neighborhood. With its new amenities, the park encourages active lifestyles, fosters community connections, and provides a welcoming environment for residents of all ages.

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