Michelle Cutler cuts the ribbon during the dedication of the new Heritage Gateway in downtown Hartville as Lake Township Chamber of Commerce President Chip Weisel, left, and Carl Witt hold the ribbon.

BEFORE: the underutilized space on the square in Historic Downtown Hartville. AFTER: the Heritage Gateway completed.

HARTVILLE/LAKE Community Development is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing Downtown Hartville, encouraging strategic economic development, and improving quality of life throughout the Hartville/Lake community.

Current Projects

The recently launched Downtown Hartville Civic Improvement Fund (CIF) offers reimbursement grants to downtown commercial property owners for exterior façade restoration and property improvement projects within Downtown Hartville. Reimbursement grants of up to $5,000 are available to help offset eligible project costs.

The Quail Hollow Connector Trail will connect Lake Township Community Park and Hartville Memorial Park. The trail also goes by the Stark Parks wetland property, Lake Middle/High School, and GentleBrook senior and disability living center. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2026.

The new Heritage Gateway not only transformed an underutilized downtown space into a meaningful landmark, but also serves as the cornerstone of an upcoming  coordinated wayfinding signage system designed to create a stronger sense of arrival, improve navigation for visitors, and reinforce Hartville’s identity as a welcoming, connected destination.

  • Community Vision Plan

    Community-Driven Goals

    To create a community by choice rather than chance, throughout 2020 and 2021, our community gathered both in person and virtually to determine a shared vision for the future. Well over 600 stakeholders, including business and educational leaders, government representatives of the Village of Hartville and Lake Township, as well as the general public, voiced their needs and imaginations through a thoughtfully led community engagement process by architecture and design firm, Rothschild Doyno Collaborative.

    Purpose:
    The overall purpose of the West Maple Revitalization project is to beautify and connect the community along West Maple Street from Historic Downtown Hartville to the roundabouts at the Hartville Hardware, Kitchen, MarketPlace & Flea Market.

    Community Consensus:
    We gathered input from stakeholders, including business and educational leaders, government representatives of the Village of Hartville and Lake Township, as well as a survey of the general public. This process has allowed us to reach a consensus for the future vision plan for West Maple Street.

    Enhance and unify the West Maple Street corridor’s unique character and quality.

    Connect amenities and destinations with paths and trails that are accessible to all.

    Create a unified experience to attract visitors, residents, and businesses to the area.

    Create opportunities for collaboration that strengthen the corridor and its neighbors.

  • Apply for a Grant

    Commercial property owners are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their buildings, strengthen their investment, and contribute to the continued beautification and revitalization of Downtown Hartville. Click Here: Apply Online

  • Support Our Mission

    Support our mission to encourage strategic economic development and improved quality of life for the Hartville/Lake Township area. Learn more: DONATE

Our Partners