Wesley Family Foundation is moving forward with plans for Wesley Woods, a stewarded property in Strongsville, Ohio, and is actively seeking zoning approval and community partnership to develop two signature features: a covered electric vehicle charging station and a walking trail that leads one acre into the woods to a natural clearing.
The property, surrounded by mature maple trees, is envisioned as a quiet community anchor — a place where neighbors can stop, rest, charge, and step into nature.
The EV Charging Station: Covered, Open, and Welcoming
The proposed covered parking structure is designed for the street-facing front of the property. From the road, visitors would see:
- A open dugout-style canopy — a timber-frame pergola with a clean, park-like roof providing weather protection
- One EV charging station beneath the canopy, accessible to any visitor or steward using the property
- A wooden bench along the side, shaded and open, for waiting, resting, or simply sitting beneath the maples
- A natural backdrop of maple woodland visible behind the structure, signaling the trail beyond
The design is intentionally low-impact and open — no walls, no fence, no commercial feel. It reads as a park amenity, not a parking lot.
The Backyard: A Steep Wooded Slope
Behind the street-facing amenities, the property drops sharply. A significant grade change leads down into what is essentially pure woods — a natural wooded hillside that has been left largely undisturbed. The neighbors on either side have sheds and structures of their own backing up to this same wooded slope, which reinforces that this kind of rear-lot use is already an established pattern in the neighborhood. The Wesley Woods trail and any associated structures in this area are consistent with what already exists nearby.
Wesley Woods Trail: One Acre Into the Forest
Behind the charging station, a walking trail begins. The path follows a gentle route through the maple canopy, approximately one acre deep, ending at a natural clearing in the woods. The clearing will be maintained as an open gathering space — for reflection, seasonal observation, and quiet use by the community.
The trail is designed to be:
- Accessible and soft-surface — wood chip or packed earth, no paving
- Marked and safe — simple signage and cleared sightlines
- Ecologically integrated — native understory plantings along the route, supporting birds, pollinators, and seasonal wildflowers
The clearing at the end offers space for small gatherings, educational visits from local schools, and seasonal programming.
Horses at Wesley Woods
Bryan envisions keeping at least one horse at the property — a personal companion animal and a living part of the land's character. The wooded clearing and surrounding acreage create a natural fit for equestrian use, with shaded trails already forming as the walking path extends into the forest.
The Foundation is open to a shared or cooperative model: neighbors or community members who love horses but lack land could share access, care responsibilities, or riding time. If demand and zoning allow, a small stable structure or run-in shed could be developed in the clearing to support the horse and any future equestrian programming.
This is early-stage thinking — but it reflects the spirit of Wesley Woods: land that serves one person well and is generous enough to share.
Bridle Trail Extension Request
As part of this zoning and partnership conversation, the Foundation is formally requesting consideration of a bridle trail extension connecting Wesley Woods to the adjacent park trail network. This would allow equestrian access from the property into the park system, enabling riders to travel by horse to permitted commerce areas, gathering points, and park amenities within the corridor.
We are asking the City of Strongsville and relevant park authorities to evaluate:
- A designated bridle trail segment linking Wesley Woods to the nearest park trail connection
- Permitted equestrian access to commerce zones within the park as allowed by existing park rules
- Coordination with the Metroparks or any adjacent trail authority to ensure safe, marked routing
This is a request for cooperative planning, not a unilateral action. We want to work with the city and parks department to do this right.
Site Grading and Equipment Access
The Foundation is also proposing a regrading of the lot to create a stable, accessible entry path that can accommodate equipment ingress. Specifically, we intend to periodically bring in a compact excavator for land maintenance work — trail clearing, stump removal, drainage improvements, and site development tasks as the property evolves.
This requires a graded access point wide and firm enough for equipment to enter and exit safely. The grading plan will be designed to:
- Maintain natural drainage and minimize runoff
- Preserve mature maple root systems along the perimeter
- Create a clean, low-profile entry that reads as park-like from the street
- Support long-term stewardship without permanent heavy infrastructure
All grading work will comply with Strongsville grading and stormwater ordinances and will be permitted appropriately.
Variance Criteria: Board of Zoning Appeals
The property has unique characteristics that support a variance for a small accessory storage structure. The following addresses the standard criteria used by the Board of Zoning Appeals:
Unnecessary Hardship Peculiar to This Property: The hilly topography and ongoing active restoration work create a practical need for secure on-site tool storage that cannot reasonably be met without a small structure on the lot.
Exceptional Circumstances Unique to This Property: Unlike neighboring lots in the R1-75 district that are developed or held for residential use, this property is being managed as a native habitat restoration area with specific erosion control and land management needs due to its slopes and water flow patterns.
No Detriment to the Neighborhood: A small, screened storage structure in the rear would have minimal visual or other impact and would support better maintenance of the natural area. Neighboring properties already maintain sheds and accessory structures along the same wooded slope, establishing this as a consistent and accepted pattern in the area.
Consistent with the Intent of the Code: Allowing minimal infrastructure to support active conservation and habitat work on this lot aligns with broader goals of open space management and stormwater control.
Zoning and City Council Partnership — Pending Approval
Wesley Family Foundation is preparing a formal submission to the City of Strongsville for zoning approval and seeks a constructive relationship with city planning and council members. We believe this project aligns with Strongsville's values of green space preservation, sustainable infrastructure, and community amenity.
We are inviting:
- City planning staff to review our proposal and identify the appropriate zoning pathway
- City council members to engage early and understand the community benefit
- Neighbors and residents to share feedback and become part of the story of Wesley Woods
All development will comply with applicable Strongsville zoning codes, setback requirements, and building standards. We are committed to a transparent, collaborative process.
Why Wesley Woods Matters
Strongsville sits within one of Ohio's most beautiful natural corridors — mature hardwood forests, seasonal streams, and rich soil. Wesley Woods is a small piece of that fabric. With thoughtful stewardship, it becomes a community asset: a place to pause between errands, let your car charge while you walk the trail, sit on a bench under the maples, and return to the world a little more grounded.
This is what the Wesley Family Foundation builds: small places of genuine value, stewarded with care, open to the community.
For partnership inquiries, zoning conversations, or to express community support, please reach out through our contact page. We look forward to working with Strongsville.