October 28, 2021 at 3:32 a.m.
Park priorities
Dunkirk board shares survey results as part of process of developing five-year plan
Park priorities
DUNKIRK — Playgrounds and the pool are the priorities.
Dunkirk Park Board held the first reading of its five-year parks master plan during its meeting Wednesday.
The meeting included the board sharing results from its community survey.
Nearly 50 Dunkirk park users responded to the survey with 59% rating the city’s parks four or five stars (out of a possible five). Only one user rated the parks one star.
The top issues listed by respondents were equipment/playground, consistent pool hours, keeping the shelter open, the lack of a dog park or other area for dogs, mowing the grass, keeping park facilities clean and safety.
The survey indicated that the most important park needs involve upgrades and improvements, pool maintenance, the picnic area and trails/paths.
It said the park is most frequently used by patrons for public events, the Webster Depot Park Summer Concert Series, playgrounds and picnics.
The park board also shared its new mission statement: “To develop and maintain all of the parks, provide recreational facilities and programs for people of all ages, and to plan for future requirements and activities to serve the year-round recreational needs in interest of the Dunkirk community.”
There was no public comment regarding the five-year plan, though park board members asked a group of Jay County High School students in attendance about their usage of parks in general.
Dunkirk Park Board held the first reading of its five-year parks master plan during its meeting Wednesday.
The meeting included the board sharing results from its community survey.
Nearly 50 Dunkirk park users responded to the survey with 59% rating the city’s parks four or five stars (out of a possible five). Only one user rated the parks one star.
The top issues listed by respondents were equipment/playground, consistent pool hours, keeping the shelter open, the lack of a dog park or other area for dogs, mowing the grass, keeping park facilities clean and safety.
The survey indicated that the most important park needs involve upgrades and improvements, pool maintenance, the picnic area and trails/paths.
It said the park is most frequently used by patrons for public events, the Webster Depot Park Summer Concert Series, playgrounds and picnics.
The park board also shared its new mission statement: “To develop and maintain all of the parks, provide recreational facilities and programs for people of all ages, and to plan for future requirements and activities to serve the year-round recreational needs in interest of the Dunkirk community.”
There was no public comment regarding the five-year plan, though park board members asked a group of Jay County High School students in attendance about their usage of parks in general.
They responded that they don’t use parks often now, but they did when they were in middle school. They agreed that features such as free wifi and more outlets for phone charging would be good park features.
Parks department employee Chase Gillette agreed with the survey results that a designated area for dogs in the parks would be a good idea. Fellow employee Jeff Hatch suggested the city plant trees along the new walking trail.
The board will hold a second public comment session on the five-year plan at its next meeting — 5 p.m. Nov. 17.
Board members Oma Scruggs, Randy Storie, Larry Spade, Dane Mumbower and Eva Kreps also decided to ask The Portland Foundation for an extension on its grant. The board received a $5,000 grant for playground equipment that is supposed to be used by the end of the year, with a two-to-one match provided by the city. The board expressed concern that it would not be able to get the equipment purchased prior to Dec. 31.
In other business, the board:
•Offered a reminder that local businesses and organizations have been invited to put up Christmas lights in Dunkirk City Park for the holiday season. The deadline to register at the city building is Monday.
•Agreed to trade one of the department’s trucks for the city animal control department’s Jeep. The park board then plans to sell the jeep and purchase a utility vehicle for the parks department. Gillette will get quotes of UTVs for the board to consider.
•Heard from Kreps that Jay County Commissioners approved about $85,000 in funding for a pool liner, lifeguard chairs and a grate. The funding is subject to approval from Jay County Council.
•Voted 4-1, with Spade dissenting, to have the gas turned out at the park caretaker’s house while leaving gas on for heating in the park barn.
•Approved the purchase of two acid pumps for the pool at a cost of $138.95 each. Gillette will also return with quotes for a water pump.
•Decided to return to once-monthly meetings for the winter months, beginning with its Nov. 17 meeting. Following meetings will be at 5 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month until the board plans to return to meeting twice a month in April.
•Heard a suggestion from Storie that the city ask Dunkirk Junior League to help pay for mowing of its fields. Junior league used to do its own mowing, but no longer has the equipment to do so, Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins said.
Parks department employee Chase Gillette agreed with the survey results that a designated area for dogs in the parks would be a good idea. Fellow employee Jeff Hatch suggested the city plant trees along the new walking trail.
The board will hold a second public comment session on the five-year plan at its next meeting — 5 p.m. Nov. 17.
Board members Oma Scruggs, Randy Storie, Larry Spade, Dane Mumbower and Eva Kreps also decided to ask The Portland Foundation for an extension on its grant. The board received a $5,000 grant for playground equipment that is supposed to be used by the end of the year, with a two-to-one match provided by the city. The board expressed concern that it would not be able to get the equipment purchased prior to Dec. 31.
In other business, the board:
•Offered a reminder that local businesses and organizations have been invited to put up Christmas lights in Dunkirk City Park for the holiday season. The deadline to register at the city building is Monday.
•Agreed to trade one of the department’s trucks for the city animal control department’s Jeep. The park board then plans to sell the jeep and purchase a utility vehicle for the parks department. Gillette will get quotes of UTVs for the board to consider.
•Heard from Kreps that Jay County Commissioners approved about $85,000 in funding for a pool liner, lifeguard chairs and a grate. The funding is subject to approval from Jay County Council.
•Voted 4-1, with Spade dissenting, to have the gas turned out at the park caretaker’s house while leaving gas on for heating in the park barn.
•Approved the purchase of two acid pumps for the pool at a cost of $138.95 each. Gillette will also return with quotes for a water pump.
•Decided to return to once-monthly meetings for the winter months, beginning with its Nov. 17 meeting. Following meetings will be at 5 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month until the board plans to return to meeting twice a month in April.
•Heard a suggestion from Storie that the city ask Dunkirk Junior League to help pay for mowing of its fields. Junior league used to do its own mowing, but no longer has the equipment to do so, Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins said.
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