July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Park work a bit lower?

Portland Park Board

By Rachelle [email protected]

The costs for phase IV of Hudson Family Park appear to be slightly lower than originally projected.

With the addition of towers and a truss for lighting and sound equipment, and a back wall for the amphitheater, the new estimated cost of the park project is $1,433,100.63. This figure - which also includes additional trails in the park, a shelter, a playground area and a memorial plaza - was presented to members of the Portland Park Board on Monday evening. Engineers previously estimated this phase would cost $1.5 million.

A bond hearing for funding for this phase of the park project was held Monday evening.

No one in the audience or on the board commented during the public hearing. After the hearing closed, board members approved a resolution to move ahead with the bonding process. The resolution includes a not to exceed amount of $1,975,000.

The cost estimate also includes fencing around the playground area and a memorial plaza that would be about 15 feet in diameter. A restroom/box office/concession stand building at the entrance of the amphitheater also is included in the new cost estimate.

Neil Medler, president of the park board, suggested that some of the bonds be used for a new pool.

Sue Beesley, attorney for Bingham McHale, said the bonding could be done in two phases.

The first phase would be for the park project, and the second phase could be for the pool. Based on the city's assessed valuation, the city can bond for no more than about $2.2 million.

Although board members have decided to delay the addition of a new pool to Hudson Family Park, Medler said after the meeting that the board still wants to add a pool to the park. "We will tackle the pool soon," he said. "We want it, but we need to be responsible (for) the taxpayers."

In a related matter, Tom Young, who was instrumental in the creation of a labyrinth at Hudson Family Park, said he has spoken to street and park department superintendent Jeff Harker about the upkeep of the defined series of paths.

Young said he feels the maintenance standards for the labyrinth could be lowered. He said it's okay if some grass grows around the rocks, and that he can widen the paths to make room for a lawnmower. He said he will contact service organizations about helping maintain the labyrinth.

He also asked for a drawing for a bench for Hudson Family Park. The Cincinnatus League, of which he is a member, plans to donate a bench for the park. Nola Albrecht, landscape architect for the Schneider Corporation, said she will send him a drawing.

After Monday's meeting, board member Shauna Runkle said she has spoken with Brett Resler about having a disc golf course at Hudson Family Park.

Runkle said he is still interested in the course, and Resler said some volunteers could help set it up.

Also Monday, board members:

•Chose Rod Ashman as the board's new vice president. Kent McClung, the board's former vice president, resigned March 12 after learning that a member of the Portland City Council cannot serve on the park board.

•Voted to purchase a new slide unit for Haynes Park.

An older slide recently was removed from the park because it was unsafe. The new structure will have two slides, a ladder and a sliding pole. It will be purchased from Countryside Play Structures, Parker City, at a cost of $15,589.12. The slide will be placed on a stone surface and will have an area filled with ground up tires to land on.

The city also received quotes of $23,066.05 from Snider and Associates, North Royalton, Ohio, and $31,417 from Child's Play, Fishers.

•Voted to purchase a spring to repair a bouncing ride at Weiler-Wilson Park, and to purchase two new rides for Haynes Park at a total cost of $2,090.67. The items will be purchased from GameTime, Holland, Mich.

•Voted to purchase a new tractor for the park department. The tractor will be used with a pull behind mower.

The Kubota will be purchased from Hull Brothers, Fort Recovery, at a cost of $19,500, which reflects trade-in values for two older tractors. The city also received quotes of $25,500 from Affolder Implement Sales, Berne; a quote of $24,700 from K and L Tractor Sales, Fort Recovery; and a quote of $19,500 for a Farmall from Hull Brothers.

•Gave Harker permission to seek quotes to replace fences at the basketball court at Weiler-Wilson Park, at Runkle-Miller Field, and at Hines-Inman Memorial Youth Sports Complex.[[In-content Ad]]
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