Quail Hollow Park Master Plan

In 2016, the Stark County Park District invited the Domokur & Associates Team to prepare a Master Plan for Quail Hollow Park, just north of the Village of Hartville, Ohio. Heavily forested, Quail Hollow Park acts as an escape from its largely rural and suburban surroundings and covers just over 700 acres. It includes an historic core of buildings and gardens, two residences, a recreational area, a small pond, an expansive network of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails, a small cemetery, and a wide variety of ecological zones. The District was very involved throughout the project. They communicated the project’s overall vision and goals from the start, and consistently confirmed the design direction by providing insightful feedback.

The Design Team approached the Master Plan process with a focus on interaction with the public, business community, local officials, and District staff members. We wanted to get input from the community regarding the Plan’s recommendations. Our main goal was to maintain the historical integrity of the property while improving the park’s trails and open spaces. We analyzed demographic trends, conducted stakeholder interviews, and held two public forums. These stakeholder engagements allowed our Team to propose a plan that created excitement and built public support by illustrating how the park could function. Similar to a bullseye that radiates outward, park activities were designed to be more active, intense, group-focused, and formalized nearer the center of the park in among the historic buildings and pond area. And park activities at the outer areas would be more passive and peaceful, individually focused, and informal.

The Master Plan establishes a vision that celebrates the unique historic heritage of the site, provides a focal point for environmental exploration and education, and enhances the park’s connection to the surrounding community. It creates a powerful place that celebrates the community and the surrounding region, and provides flexible, spontaneous places for art, events, food, and music, allowing for future growth and evolution over time.