HEMLOCK — With a population of around 150, the village of Hemlock is a close-knit small town where everyone is like family. Folks gather from inside and outside of the community to show their love and support of this town. And now this town has a new attraction. Through the state health department’s O.H.I.Z. (Ohio Health Improvement Zones) program, the village was able to obtain grant funding to bring new Playmore play equipment to their community.
According to Village Council member Missy Jones, there has always been a constant flow of children from the time since she was a kid running through her grandparents’ yard on Main Street. With about 12 children living on Main Street alone, the goal was to give them a reason to continue being outside and having fun.
Starting originally with a basketball court the park slowly started to expand. The village bought used pieces with little wear and tear a few years ago, such as a swing set and monkey bars, but really wanted to have something in the center of the town to draw people in.
The partnerships and support they had helped them to do just that. Not only did folks from around the community help to make this idea a reality, but even the children were down helping out with shovels twice their size. “It’s their park, why not let them help build it?” says Mayor James Knippa.
Town members have already seen a continuation of use throughout the park. With the small village being tucked away from main roads, a friendly neighborhood, and covered with shade trees, it’s a perfect spot for kids to go. Some have talked about the town being “lost in time” and that is not always a bad thing. The children throughout the town are choosing to be outside whether it be riding bikes, playing ball in the yards, or catching crawdads and minnows in the creek, there are always children outside playing and enjoying the last bits of summer they have before going back to school.
When talking about the future goals of the town it was very clear, this is just the beginning. There are many events in the works between city members to help fundraise for future projects such as a shelter house for the new playground, redoing the concrete on the basketball court, and getting the playground up to par with A.D.A. (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. Such events include the annual car show, trunk or treat, Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and a possible fall festival this year.
With the loss of their post office, town hall, and election polling place, residents of the village felt they needed new ways to bring together community members pf all ages. Several floods and the decline of coal mining have had a significant impact on the town, but one goal many locals still puruse is to share local history. Many early photographs have been lost over the years but Jones and Knippa both have the desire to pass on that history to residents.
“It takes new blood to keep things going.” Jones stated. “We have to show the kids where they come from.”
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