By Paula Pyzik Scott

On March 10, Bluffton Council member Ben Stahl was among those reporting on planning and work taking place at a new park on Snider Rd. being developed by a partnership of the Bluffton Soccer Club, Bluffton Lions Club and the Village of Bluffton.

He presented the name “Legacy Park” as recommended by the Park and Recreation committee, which was approved by council. Stahl noted that some 50 park name suggestions were generated by a recent community survey. 

The timeline for league play at the park’s seven youth soccer fields has been pushed back to spring 2026. Assistant village administrator Bryan Lloyd reported that grass seed is ordered but the possibility of being established for play in fall 2025 has been scratched due to wet conditions.  READ MORE

The park project is being developed in three phases with the soccer fields comprising phase one. Village administrator Jesse Blackburn reported that $193,000 has been raised by the Bluffton Soccer Club for this portion of the project. Land has also been donated by SumiRiko of Ohio, which is adjacent to the park. The financial goal for phase one is $250,000.

Phase two is a playground for all abilities to be funded by Bluffton Lions Club initiatives. Stahl noted that a second phase of designs from 3-4 companies will soon be under consideration.

Blackburn also said that this project answers a community interest in developing more green space that was reflected in a June 2022 survey. He commented that youth soccer brings hundreds of families to the Village of Bluffton for both spring and fall seasons.

For updates on phase one and information on donor support, visit Bluffton Soccer Club on Facebook.