April 4, 2018 at 4:44 p.m.
Board hears park requests, needs
Members call for a budget increase
Board hears park requests, needs
There’s a significant wish list for improvements at Portland’s parks. Finding the money for those projects is the challenge.
Portland Park Board heard from a pair of local residents and street and parks department superintendent Tom Leonhard about needs and wants Tuesday, with board president Rod Ashman saying he feels its overdue for city council to increase the parks budget.
Nick Miller, who leads a booster club for the Portland Rockets, told the board that Portland has been selected to host a National Amateur Baseball Federation Mini Regional tournament on the last weekend in July. But with that announcement, Miller noted a list of upgrades that are needed at the team’s Runkle-Miller Field at Portland Memorial Park.
Among those include the installation of a new scoreboard — Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman said that project is ready to move forward when weather permits — and remodeling of the concession stand. Also on the Rockets’ wish list are expanding padding along the backstop, a new flag pole, paint for the dugouts, new clay for the infield, a new public address system, new doors for the press box and replacing base pads.
He added that the Rockets are replacing dugout benches this year, and that Hull Brothers of Fort Recovery is donating a lawn tractor for work on the field.
Portland resident Mitch Harter talked to the board about his desire to revitalize Milton Miller Park on the city’s north side. He received a quote of $15,000 for repairs and resurfacing of the tennis courts at the park, saying he’d like to lead fundraisers for the project with the park board’s support.
He also expressed a desire to be part of a friends of the park organization when it is formed, and presented a logo he designed for the group.
Leonhard talked with the board about the need for new screens on the ticket, concession and other windows at Portland Water Park.
Portland Park Board heard from a pair of local residents and street and parks department superintendent Tom Leonhard about needs and wants Tuesday, with board president Rod Ashman saying he feels its overdue for city council to increase the parks budget.
Nick Miller, who leads a booster club for the Portland Rockets, told the board that Portland has been selected to host a National Amateur Baseball Federation Mini Regional tournament on the last weekend in July. But with that announcement, Miller noted a list of upgrades that are needed at the team’s Runkle-Miller Field at Portland Memorial Park.
Among those include the installation of a new scoreboard — Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman said that project is ready to move forward when weather permits — and remodeling of the concession stand. Also on the Rockets’ wish list are expanding padding along the backstop, a new flag pole, paint for the dugouts, new clay for the infield, a new public address system, new doors for the press box and replacing base pads.
He added that the Rockets are replacing dugout benches this year, and that Hull Brothers of Fort Recovery is donating a lawn tractor for work on the field.
Portland resident Mitch Harter talked to the board about his desire to revitalize Milton Miller Park on the city’s north side. He received a quote of $15,000 for repairs and resurfacing of the tennis courts at the park, saying he’d like to lead fundraisers for the project with the park board’s support.
He also expressed a desire to be part of a friends of the park organization when it is formed, and presented a logo he designed for the group.
Leonhard talked with the board about the need for new screens on the ticket, concession and other windows at Portland Water Park.
The screens, which are regularly opened and closed, have required frequent replacement.
Board members and Leonhard discussed whether it makes sense to install a more durable frame and screen at a greater cost or to continue replacing screens as needed.
In looking at the overall requests and needs, Ashman brought up the park board’s budget.
“We’ve added so much more mowing and maintenance,” he said in reference to the additions of Hudson Family Park and Portland Water Park in the last decade. “We’ve grown so much. Our budget hasn’t grown with it.”
Geesaman also brought up the issue of family passes for the water park, which have been a point of difficulty for staff. There have been issues with the question of what constitutes a “family” and with different groups of visitors using the same pass.
Board members said they are open to creating a written policy and/or eliminating the family pass altogether, but asked for input from water park manager Missy Bader. Street/parks department employee Matt Shauver suggested contacting other facilities, such as Pine Lake west of Berne and Splash House Water Park in Marion, to find out what their policies are.
The board also received several updates from Leonhard, including that:
•New lawnmowers have been delivered from Bryant Combine Parts. The board approved last month a plan to replace mowers on a rotating basis.
•Mulch will be placed at playgrounds in the city’s parks when weather allows.
•Water will be turned on in all of the parks next week.
•Picnic tables for the parks have been repaired and painted.
Also Tuesday, Geesaman reported that a trail master plan for the county is complete and will be presented to local government units in April and May for their review and approval. The plan is due to be submitted to the state in June and will open up a variety of grant options for trail construction.
Board members and Leonhard discussed whether it makes sense to install a more durable frame and screen at a greater cost or to continue replacing screens as needed.
In looking at the overall requests and needs, Ashman brought up the park board’s budget.
“We’ve added so much more mowing and maintenance,” he said in reference to the additions of Hudson Family Park and Portland Water Park in the last decade. “We’ve grown so much. Our budget hasn’t grown with it.”
Geesaman also brought up the issue of family passes for the water park, which have been a point of difficulty for staff. There have been issues with the question of what constitutes a “family” and with different groups of visitors using the same pass.
Board members said they are open to creating a written policy and/or eliminating the family pass altogether, but asked for input from water park manager Missy Bader. Street/parks department employee Matt Shauver suggested contacting other facilities, such as Pine Lake west of Berne and Splash House Water Park in Marion, to find out what their policies are.
The board also received several updates from Leonhard, including that:
•New lawnmowers have been delivered from Bryant Combine Parts. The board approved last month a plan to replace mowers on a rotating basis.
•Mulch will be placed at playgrounds in the city’s parks when weather allows.
•Water will be turned on in all of the parks next week.
•Picnic tables for the parks have been repaired and painted.
Also Tuesday, Geesaman reported that a trail master plan for the county is complete and will be presented to local government units in April and May for their review and approval. The plan is due to be submitted to the state in June and will open up a variety of grant options for trail construction.
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