Community Spotlight: Brimfield Township holds on to rural roots as commercial growth booms

Brimfield Township has always sought ways to balance its rural roots with growth that was inevitable from being located off two busy Interstate 76 ramps.

Residential zoning laws have slowed the march toward cityhood, but commercial growth has boomed. In 2003, the township settled years of annexation battles with neighboring Tallmadge by forming a joint economic development district.

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Tallmadge returned land it had taken from Brimfield in exchange for a revenue-sharing agreement, and the township now hosts one of the area’s most popular retail destinations, Cascades of Brimfield.

Location

Along Portage County’s western border, and surrounded by Kent, Tallmadge, Stow and the townships of Franklin, Ravenna, Rootstown, Randolph, Suffield and Springfield.

Highlights

Settlers had a hard time picking a name for their town. It was first known as Swamptown, then Beartown, Greenbrier and Wylestown. When it organized its first government in 1818, town leaders picked the name Thorndike because an early property owner of that name offered to donate the land for a town square. When Thorndike reneged on the offer, residents petitioned to change the name to Brimfield after the Massachusetts hometown of another early land owner.

Brimfield landed in the national spotlight when its police department’s Facebook page acquired 180,000 followers, thanks to a folksy flavor offered by its police chief, David Oliver. The social media page was second in popularity only to New York City’s police department. Oliver cashed in on his fame with a book called “No Mopes Allowed.” But in 2015, Oliver was suspended, and then resigned, for misconduct with female officers. He served a probation sentence and settled a civil suit out of court.

One of Brimfield’s most famous progeny was Jani Lane (born John Oswald), frontman for the 1980s and 1990s glam metal band Warrant. Lane wrote most of the band’s songs, including the hits “Cherry Pie,” “Heaven” and “Down Boys.” Lane died of acute alcohol poisoning in a California hotel in 2011. He was 47.

Attractions

Please note: As the area recovers from the COVID pandemic, many businesses are altering their hours of operation. Be aware that the information reported in this list may change.

• The German Family Society, at 3871 Ranfield Road, was founded in Akron in 1955 by German, Austrian and Donauschwaben immigrants to celebrate their culture. They moved to Brimfield in 1973, and host several public events throughout the year. The most popular is Oktoberfest, a large September gathering that features food, music and dance. Its Grape Festival is also scheduled for November. Learn more at germanfamilysociety.com.

• Kelso House Museum, 4158 State Route 43, is maintained by the Brimfield Historical Society and preserves artifacts from the township’s past. The property also houses an 1845 barn, 1879 granary, 1860s corn crib, an original three-bay outhouse, and an 1871 town hall. Tours are available, and the site hosts many events, including its Kelso Lyceum Series of speakers, and Brimfield Community Days, slated for Sept. 16-17 this year. Learn more at kelsohouse.org.

• Sunny Hill Golf Course & Recreation, 3734 Sunnybrook Road, offers three 9-hole courses, a driving range, chipping and putting greens, and an event center for banquets, leagues and weddings. Check out rates and course maps at sunnyhillgolfcourse.com.

• Brimfield Family Restaurant, 1198 Tallmadge Road, has been serving patrons for more than 37 years. The restaurant started out with pizza and fried chicken, and then built a menu with steak, seafood and pasta. Open 7 a.m. daily, it closes 7 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. brimfieldfamilyrestaurant.com.

• La Terraza, 3975 Cascades Blvd., is a popular destination for casual Mexican staples and specialty drinks, with indoor and outdoor seating. Open seven days a week; look for hours and a menu at laterraza.us.

• Cascades of Brimfield is a shopping and restaurant district anchored by big-box chains including Walmart Supercenter, Meijer, Lowe’s, Kohl’s and Marshalls, along with many smaller and independent businesses. Take exit 31 off Interstate 76 and turn north.

• Brimfield Bread Oven, 3956 State Route 43, is a wood-fired oven micro-bakery. The owners bake bread for sale at the shop and at farmers markets using artisanal bread methods. They also offer pastry specials. Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. On Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., they also have wood-fired pizza. Find a menu or order online at brimfieldbreadoven.com.

• Pizzute's Plant N Thyme is a family-owned garden center specializing in hanging baskets, nursery stock, bulk and bagged mulch, topsoil and specialty gift items. Located at 4987 State Route 43, it’s open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekends. Learn more at pizzutes.com.

• Cooperrider-Kent Bog is a living relic from the Ice Age, formed during the retreat of the glaciers. The bog’s 3,500 tamaracks are the largest southernmost stand of tamaracks in the continental United States. There is a half-mile boardwalk trail through the bog, open sunrise to sunset. The 45-acre nature preserve — which straddles Kent and Brimfield — is maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources at 1028 Meloy Road.

• Lions Community Park, 4484 Edson Road, is the most developed of the town’s parks, with walking trails, recreational fields, open-air pavilions, an enclosed shelter and playground equipment.

• Cranberry Creek Park, 2211 Lynn Road, is the newest park, with its 35 acres hosting the K-9 Memorial Dog Park. In winter, the snow-covered rolling hills double as cross country ski trails and a sled riding hill.

• The Town Green, at 1333 Tallmadge Road, has a gazebo that is available for rent year-round, and a small park area that includes three picnic tables. Visit brimfieldohio.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation for details on all public properties and see a schedule of upcoming activities and events.

About Brimfield Township

Founded: Settled in 1816

Population: 11,300

School and mascot: Field Local Schools, the Falcons

Website: brimfieldohio.gov

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Community Spotlight: Brimfield holds on to rural roots as its grows