Medina, OH

Medina is located about 30 miles south of Cleveland, close to major highways I-71, I-77 and I-76. Many of Medina's residents work in Cleveland and have an above-average income, and they live in Medina because they enjoy the small-town feel this community of approximately 25,000 offers. The population of Medina grew quite a bit in the 1990s, during which time the commercial community also experienced significant growth.

The industrial district of Medina offers a contemporary setting, while the historic district of downtown provides a sense of stepping back in time. This progressive community takes pride in its roots, yet continues to look to the future with the continuing construction of upscale residential communities and shopping venues.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Medina takes great pride in its downtown Public Square. The attraction of this Square is so powerful that area residents have even cited it as one of the main reasons they chose to reside in Medina. The original wooden buildings in the Public Square were burned to the ground when a fire ripped through the area in April of 1870, but the town banded together and spent the following decade rebuilding the structures out of brick. These Victorian-style buildings are the ones that remain today.

In the 1960s, the city was thriving as more and more new businesses came to Medina's downtown. With the new businesses, though, came more modernized buildings that buried the Victorian-style architecture. In 1967, a group of Medina citizens came together with the common goal of restoring the historic charm of this district. Today, the Public Square and the surrounding downtown community are the central location for the majority of Medina's special events, shops and popular restaurants.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Presently, Medina has a combination of both white- and blue-collar jobs. Most residents of Medina in the 19th century were farmers. With the completed construction of the Ohio and Erie Canal in the 1830s, Medina was able to transport its agricultural goods to markets around the country, beginning the first of many growth spurts for Medina.

In 1869, Amos Root established the A.I. Root Company, which manufactured beehives and beekeeping equipment. The company quickly became the largest employer in Medina, employing 96 people by 1886, and making the town a center for beehive manufacturing. A.I. Root is still one of Medina's top employers but is now in the business of candle manufacturing.

An industrial district covers more than 800 acres of Medina, housing around 125 businesses. Plants range from facilities with 350 employees to operations with 50 or fewer.

EDUCATION

With more than 100 new students enrolling in the district each year, enrollment for the Medina City Schools district is upward of 7,500 students. There are five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school that has undergone renovation in order to expand. Because of the continuous increase in enrollment, Medina plans to build two more schools. Medina City Schools are rated "excellent" by the Ohio Department of Education.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• America's Ice Cream and Dairy Museum: Housed in an original dairy building, historic Elm Farm, the museum walks visitors through the history of ice cream by way of toys, antiques, dippers and collectibles. The many processes that milk undergoes are also demonstrated to guests with cream separators, butter churns, dairy equipment, trucks and milk bottles.
• Medina Toy and Train Museum: More than 400 model trains, 500 train engines, 100 model airplanes, 100 dolls, and 1,000 books about transportation are displayed in this museum. The trains run on four multi-track systems, some of which are interactive. The museum also has two five-foot-long dollhouses.
• Granger Library and Historical Society: The Historical Society preserves the Underwood Library and The Thompson Work Museum, which contains historical reference materials, township information, artifacts and genealogical records from area residents. The home in which the library and society reside is filled with period furniture and an antique doll collection.

FAMILY FUN

• Fred Greenwood Park: Here you'll find a playground, a pavilion, soccer fields, softball fields and a splash pad.
• Huffman Park: Enjoy hiking trails, a pavilion, a playground, a mountain bike trail, a nature area and a soccer field.
• Memorial Park: There's fun to be at with a sledding hill, pool, nature area and playground.
• Reagan Park: Offerings include a playground, a bike trail, a pavilion,a nature area, a sledding hill, fitness trails, a baseball field, flag-football and soccer fields, ice skating and more.
• Roscoe Ewing Park: Come here for disc golf, a playground, a hiking trail, a bike trail, a pavilion and a nature area.

EVENTS

Medina offers fun and interactive community events:

• Medina Ice Festival: Free admission to the transformation of downtown's Public Square into an array of ice sculptures being carved on the spot. Area shops and restaurants are open during the February event.
• Medina County Fair: One of the county's main attractions. Held at the Medina County Fairgrounds in August, the fair features an abundance of livestock, exhibits, entertainment and vendors.
• Dan's Dogs Hot Dog Eating Contest: A fundraiser for Medina's United Way, held each August in the Public Square. All proceeds benefit charity. The first-prize winner receives a Dan's Dogs gift certificate, a case of hot dogs and a trophy.
• Annual Shearing Fest and Wool Sale: Held each November at Crow Haven Farm, a family-owned and operated farm in Medina. They shear once a year and allow the public to come purchase fleece even before it's sheared.