CELEBRATING OUR VOLUNTEERS
RHP could not operate without its volunteers, and this page celebrates just a sliver of work that our volunteers have accomplished. For a more complete account, please follow us on Facebook.
CESO Employees Return to Make a Difference at RHP

CESO is a comprehensive firm located in Akron, Ohio that offers surveying, civil engineering, environmental, land planning, and architectural services.
The firm selected Richfield Heritage Preserve as one of the locations for their annual Community Impact Day – where the entire office spends a day helping out in the community.
On July 21st, CESO employees split into teams to undertake several projects at the park. The first team built storage shelves, removed nails from wood, and organized the Winter Barn. The second team removed siding from Garfield, removed hundreds of nails, and assisted in the demo and clean-up of the Garfield addition.
CESO Project Leaders Travis Caldwell and Ben Riha led their respective teams assisted by Park Volunteer Dave Kalal, RHP Volunteer Coordinator Susan Czaplicki, and RHP Maintenance Tech Chris Moore.
The group ate lunch in the Lodge where RJRD Board Chairperson, Anita Gantner, expressed her appreciation and thanked the CESO employees for their hard work and impact at the park.
CESO employees made a significant impact at Richfield Heritage Preserve that is sincerely appreciated by the community and park guests.
The firm selected Richfield Heritage Preserve as one of the locations for their annual Community Impact Day – where the entire office spends a day helping out in the community.
On July 21st, CESO employees split into teams to undertake several projects at the park. The first team built storage shelves, removed nails from wood, and organized the Winter Barn. The second team removed siding from Garfield, removed hundreds of nails, and assisted in the demo and clean-up of the Garfield addition.
CESO Project Leaders Travis Caldwell and Ben Riha led their respective teams assisted by Park Volunteer Dave Kalal, RHP Volunteer Coordinator Susan Czaplicki, and RHP Maintenance Tech Chris Moore.
The group ate lunch in the Lodge where RJRD Board Chairperson, Anita Gantner, expressed her appreciation and thanked the CESO employees for their hard work and impact at the park.
CESO employees made a significant impact at Richfield Heritage Preserve that is sincerely appreciated by the community and park guests.
Mars Electric Beautifies RHP
Mars Electric Leadership Development Trainee Ryan Viga contacted RHP Volunteer Coordinator Susan Czaplicki in March 2022 regarding volunteer opportunities for their spring community day. Jeff Deluca and Susan Czaplicki spoke with Mars Electric staff on March 11, 2022, to discuss the scope of the projects via a conference call.
Leadership Development Trainees are assigned projects throughout the year. Mars Electric, a family-owned and independent wholesale distributor of lighting, gear, and electrical supplies, split the leadership development team into two teams and tasked them to come up with a volunteer project, lead the project, recruit people for the event, and provide everything needed for the event. This was the first time the firm offered its employees a volunteer opportunity, and they chose Richfield Heritage Preserve. The team was given a $1000 budget, which included food, t-shirts, and raffle prizes for the employees who attended the volunteer project.
On Saturday, June 4, 2022, Mars Electric employees split into two teams. One team painted the Summer Barn, Summer Barn latrine, four picnic tables, and a nearby structure, while the other team removed approximately 2000 feet of wire from fencing.
Thank you to Mars Electric employee, Ryan Stargell, for taking pictures of the event and our newly painted structures.
Richfield Heritage Preserve is grateful for Mars Electric employees' willingness to undertake much-needed projects to improve the park and enhance visitor experience.
Leadership Development Trainees are assigned projects throughout the year. Mars Electric, a family-owned and independent wholesale distributor of lighting, gear, and electrical supplies, split the leadership development team into two teams and tasked them to come up with a volunteer project, lead the project, recruit people for the event, and provide everything needed for the event. This was the first time the firm offered its employees a volunteer opportunity, and they chose Richfield Heritage Preserve. The team was given a $1000 budget, which included food, t-shirts, and raffle prizes for the employees who attended the volunteer project.
On Saturday, June 4, 2022, Mars Electric employees split into two teams. One team painted the Summer Barn, Summer Barn latrine, four picnic tables, and a nearby structure, while the other team removed approximately 2000 feet of wire from fencing.
Thank you to Mars Electric employee, Ryan Stargell, for taking pictures of the event and our newly painted structures.
Richfield Heritage Preserve is grateful for Mars Electric employees' willingness to undertake much-needed projects to improve the park and enhance visitor experience.
KeyBank Employees Spruce Things Up

KeyBank Market Coordinators Michele Murphy and Carla Koleski contacted RHP Volunteer Coordinator Susan Czaplicki in March regarding projects for its Neighbors Make the Difference Day on June 7, 2022. The day offers employee volunteers an opportunity to help communities by contributing their time and talents.
KeyBank employee volunteers led by site manager Dan Dempsey were originally scheduled to paint the exterior of the Maintenance Garage, but due to rain, the group easily pivoted to complete much-needed indoor projects. Volunteers cleaned the interior of the Park Office and cleaned and organized the interior of the Pack Out Building.
We are truly grateful for KeyBank's continued support at the park.
KeyBank employee volunteers led by site manager Dan Dempsey were originally scheduled to paint the exterior of the Maintenance Garage, but due to rain, the group easily pivoted to complete much-needed indoor projects. Volunteers cleaned the interior of the Park Office and cleaned and organized the interior of the Pack Out Building.
We are truly grateful for KeyBank's continued support at the park.
Richfield Safety Forces to the Rescue!
It is a wonderful thing when a community comes together for a common goal and for the greater good of all. That is what occurred last week when members of Richfield’s safety forces came together to paint the Lodge's front and rear porch ceilings and fascias.
RHP Volunteer Coordinator Susan Czaplicki collaborated with Richfield Firefighters Robert Benza and Eric Boleman to plan this project. It isn’t a project that can be done easily because of the height of the porch ceilings. To that end, Richfield PD Sergeant Chris Fyffe contacted All Aerials regarding the use of a lift which was necessary for the project. Prep work took place behind the scenes with RHP volunteers who installed plastic sheeting over the Lodge's porch windows and doors prior to the painting. It's been a much anticipated project and we are thrilled it is finally completed. |
KeyBank: Neighbors Make the Difference Day
It all began in August when KeyBank contacted RHP’s Volunteer Coordinator, Susan Czaplicki, wanting to host a KeyBank “Neighbors Make The Difference Day” project at RHP. A simple phone call and one generous offer rolled into a great day Tuesday when KeyBank employees painted the Oviatt entrance fence. Even though it was a hot day in the upper 80s working in the full sun, this group’s enthusiasm and down to business attitude made it such a pleasure to have them at the park.
The project for KeyBank was suggested by RHP Park Director David Green and RJRD Board member Jeff Deluca. Projects such as these are selected by scope, time commitment, need, and time of year and prioritized accordingly. Thank you KeyBank! We look forward to collaborating with you again next year! For more information about KeyBank Neighbors Make The Difference Day, go to: https://www.key.com/.../neighbors-make-the-difference-day... |
CESO Employees make a difference at RHP
CESO is a comprehensive firm located in Akron, Ohio that offers surveying, civil engineering, environmental, land planning, and architectural services. The firm selected Richfield Heritage Preserve as one of the locations for their annual Community Impact Day – where the entire office spends a day helping out in the community.
CESO Project Engineer, Taylor Cline, contacted RHP Volunteer Coordinator, Susan Czaplicki, in May regarding group volunteer opportunities at the park.
Ms. Czaplicki toured the park with Taylor Cline and Civil Engineering Manager, Robert Papotto, in June to review group volunteer projects. A CESO surveying team returned to the park early in July, to complete topographical surveys of the potential work areas.
On July 16th, CESO employees split into teams to undertake several projects at the park. The first team removed and rebuilt the Storybook Forest Trail boardwalk. For this, the team regraded the area under the boardwalk, dug a swale, and finally laid landscape fabric which they covered with crush and run. They also cut and installed new support beams and widened the existing boardwalk. The second team rerouted a trail near the High Lea Shelter and removed the existing High Lea bridge. The third team cleared dense vegetation to reroute a trail behind the Boat House.
RHP Park Director, David Green, RHP Volunteer Coordinator, Susan Czaplicki, RHP Maintenance Tech, Chris Moore, and RJRD Board Member, Jeff Deluca, assisted the CESO teams throughout the entire day.
CESO employees made a significant impact at Richfield Heritage Preserve that is sincerely appreciated by the community and park guests.
CESO Project Engineer, Taylor Cline, contacted RHP Volunteer Coordinator, Susan Czaplicki, in May regarding group volunteer opportunities at the park.
Ms. Czaplicki toured the park with Taylor Cline and Civil Engineering Manager, Robert Papotto, in June to review group volunteer projects. A CESO surveying team returned to the park early in July, to complete topographical surveys of the potential work areas.
On July 16th, CESO employees split into teams to undertake several projects at the park. The first team removed and rebuilt the Storybook Forest Trail boardwalk. For this, the team regraded the area under the boardwalk, dug a swale, and finally laid landscape fabric which they covered with crush and run. They also cut and installed new support beams and widened the existing boardwalk. The second team rerouted a trail near the High Lea Shelter and removed the existing High Lea bridge. The third team cleared dense vegetation to reroute a trail behind the Boat House.
RHP Park Director, David Green, RHP Volunteer Coordinator, Susan Czaplicki, RHP Maintenance Tech, Chris Moore, and RJRD Board Member, Jeff Deluca, assisted the CESO teams throughout the entire day.
CESO employees made a significant impact at Richfield Heritage Preserve that is sincerely appreciated by the community and park guests.
Students from the Social Advocates For Youth (SAY) Make A Difference At RHP
SAY, which began in 2000, consists of students who are interested in making a difference at school and in their community. Advisor Nancy Schaumburg contacted RHP Volunteer Coordinator Susan Czaplicki in May regarding volunteer opportunities for the students. On July 27th students and advisors from Hathaway Brown, Laurel School, University School, and Mayfield High School finished painting the Broadview Road entrance gate. Upon completion, they then assisted RHP Maintenance Tech Chris Moore with removing rocks from the Amity fire circle. The students commenced with a hike around the Upper Lake.
Thank you to these talented students for your efforts at the park!
Thank you to these talented students for your efforts at the park!
Winter Barn Project
Richfield Heritage Preserve volunteers collaborated with Burns & McDonnell employees, Jeff Deluca, and RJRD Maintenance Tech Chris Moore to paint the exterior of the Winter Barn.
Hoban High School Students Work to Beautify RHP
Each summer, Hoban High School runs Justice Akron Ministries (JAM), a summer service retreat program for students. They connect students to various agencies in the Akron or greater Akron area. JAM participants volunteer with the agency as part of their 20-30 hours of service as part of their requirement for graduation.
- RHP park hosted 5 sophomores and 1 senior plus 2 parent volunteers for two 6 hour days. In that time they:
- Painted the Broadview Road entrance gate.
- Dug out grass near the Park Office, spread mulch, and filled in ruts in the lawn near the Broadview Road entrance.
- Assisted RJRD Maintenance Tech Chris Moore by digging and installing posts on the main road to Amity and near the Lodge.
- Removed stone and black fabric from the bridle trail near the power lines.