Council hears MKSK plan for Pepper Pike Park, delays contract decision

MKSK, a planning and landscape architecture firm, told Pepper Pike City Council on Feb. 25 that it can produce a community-driven master plan for Pepper Pike Park and a nearby vacant parcel, but councilors delayed authorizing the work so members could review the proposal.

The council presentation focused on a two-track engagement and deliverables approach. "This proposal is, as requested, like, a holistic approach, putting together a stakeholder engagement plan," said Susie Mauer, a representative of MKSK. She said MKSK’s higher-tier option would include a public open house with design concepts, charrettes and an online engagement platform; the firm would synthesize feedback into a vetted master plan suitable for later design development.

The proposal covers two adjoining areas: the existing park and an eastern green-space parcel. Colin Mavis, also representing MKSK, described the public open-house format the firm commonly uses: interactive boards, voting on concept options and a follow-up website summary. "At the end of that whole process, basically what the deliverable would be on our end is a fully vetted, master plan for the spaces that reflect what we have heard," Mavis said.

Council members broadly praised the idea of a comprehensive plan that could position the city for future grant funding. Councilmember Emmy (first name used in the meeting) said the master-plan approach would avoid piecemeal projects and “position us for possible funding opportunities.” Several members asked how MKSK would ensure broad participation; Mauer described a mix of evening meetings, pop-up events, stakeholder committees, and an online platform (Social Pinpoint) used previously for public input in nearby communities.

The firm discussed likely programming elements that arise from similar projects — playgrounds, exercise equipment, pollinator gardens and donor opportunities — while emphasizing that final features would flow from community feedback. MKSK proposed starting engagement in April and completing the visioning and schematic phase before summer, to take advantage of warmer-weather participation.

Council asked staff and MKSK practical questions about scope, grant-readiness and how floodplain restrictions on several nearby parcels could limit construction. Public and elected officials also noted the importance of notifying immediately adjacent homeowners. Mayor Newell and several council members said they welcomed the plan but wanted a short period to review the written proposal and the contract terms before committing city funds.

Rather than authorize a mayoral contract tonight, council agreed to place the item back on a future agenda so staff can verify details and circulate a revised draft. "I think, unless everybody feels that they need more time... we have a meeting in two weeks or we could potentially move forward tonight," one councilmember said; the majority asked for time to digest the materials.

The council agreed to return the proposal for further review at the next meeting and to collect additional written comments before any contract authorization.

Ending

Council members said they value community engagement and a master-plan approach but asked administration to circulate contract and scope clarifications before taking formal action. MKSK left the presentation materials with the city and will await direction if council authorizes the engagement.