Board reviews 2024 options

Portland Park Board is considering several improvement projects for 2024.

The park board during its meeting Tuesday heard cost estimates and proposals for projects including lighting around the walking trail at Hudson Family Park, improvements to the baseball/softball diamonds at Weiler-Wilson Park, fencing around the new pickleball courts at Milton Miller Park and the addition of a heater for Portland Water Park.

The board took no action on any of the potential projects, with president Brian Ison asking members as well as street and parks department staff to consider the options in relation to the 2024 budget ($45,000 for capital improvements) and other funding options.

Matt Shauver of the city’s street and parks department presented several quotes and estimates that had previously been requested.

The board has discussed installing lighting along the walking trail around the pond at Hudson Family Park. Shauver presented estimates of $33,800 and $39,000 from Coppersmith and of $44,300 and $50,000 from 4TC, both of Portland. He noted that the more expensive option from both is for oval lights that relatively match those that are already in the park while the cheaper option is for rectangular lights.

Ison asked various questions about the lights, including regarding height and longevity. He also noted that there was a concern about lighting at the park’s amphitheater following the most recent Arts Place concert held there.

Shauver said light poles would be at least 30 feet tall. He added that providing additional lighting at the amphitheater for events that end later in the evening could be done fairly cost effectively. He said he would talk with Arts Place staff more specifically about what type of lighting is needed.

Estimates for a 66-foot by 60-foot fence around the new pickleball courts at Milton Miller Park came in at $21,000 from Gabbard Fence Construction of Winchester and $14,740 from Jacob Schwartz of Adams County. It would be 8 feet tall with two gates.

A rough estimate to install a heater for the pool at Portland Water Park is in the $40,000 to $60,000 range. Rural Portland resident Bev Arnold, who is also a coaching for the Jay County Summer Swim Team, said she believes she can get donors to cover the cost of the heater. (The heater would allow the water park to open during times when the outdoor temperature has previously forced closures.) Board members question how much it would take to heat the pool on an annual basis, with Arnold and Shauver responding that they are working on getting estimates. 

Shauver also presented a quote of $1,000 for the construction of permanent cornhole courts. He suggested they might be a good attraction to take some of the space where the horseshoe pits are located at Haynes Park.

The board also heard from Matt Ransom of Portland Junior League regarding priority projects for the organization. He said the top choice would be rehabilitation of the east and west baseball/softball diamonds at Weiler-Wilson Park. The estimated cost is $28,000, of which he said Portland Junior League could cover half.

He listed new fencing around those fields, estimated at $10,000, as the No. 2 priority.

Ison noted other projects the board has previously discussed include sealing the pavement at Hudson Family Park, updating playground equipment at Haynes Park and expanding the fence around Portland Water Park.

“So there’s a lot of big ticket items that are coming up,” he said.

Board members Michael Brewster, Jennifer Weitzel, Shauna Runkle, John McFarland and Ison took no action on the projects, other than to give Arnold the go-ahead to continue pursuing funding for the heaters at Portland Water Park.

In other business, the board:

•Learned the following from Shauver: 

    —A pump for the water park has been rebuilt at a cost of just under $7,000.

    —New security cameras have been installed at the water park and signs with water park rules are being prepared for the 2024 season.

•Discussed the donation of automated external defibrillators to the park board. McFarland noted that five are available, with Ison saying he would like to see one stationed at Portland Memorial Park’s Runkle-Miller Field. Board members plan to look into options for how to store the devices at the parks.

•Heard Ison note that he has been asked about the possibility of adding a park in the area where the Bailey Building, 201 through 205 W. Main St., is being torn down.

•Were reminded the board’s next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9.