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Council approves downtown park
(by Kim Lunsford, Staff Writer - July 22, 2010)
Plans to develop the former lumberyard site as a park are moving forward.
At the July 19 meeting, Grove City Council voted to plan and budget for a central park in the downtown area. The measure passed with a 3-2 vote.
Council members Greg Grinch and Melissa Albright voted against the resolution.
"I'm for parks," Albright said.
The councilwoman asked to postpone the issue.
The lumberyard site sits adjacent to City Hall. The park development could include open and green space, a dog area, a pavilion and a water feature/ice skating rink.
Council members who support the plan believe it will draw in visitors and boost the downtown economy.
Grove City Parks and Recreation chairman Dave Roasa spoke in favor of the park, but asked council to give the park board time to update its strategic plan before moving forward.
"We are not against parks, but to do so now makes no sense to the board," Roasa said.
Grinch agreed with Roasa and said council should listen to the parks board.
"Council should take into account the director of our parks and recreation," Grinch said.
Grove City Parks and Recreation Director Kim Conrad said the site's space is too small for a dog park. The section set aside for dog space would be approximately one acre.
Conrad said that is just not sufficient space. She also said the upkeep on one acre would be tough for the department because dogs cause damage to turf.
Conrad said she is all for a dog park in Grove City, just not at this site.
Grove City Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage said the open space part of the park was not the issue. The dog feature was the cause for concern.
Stage said he did not have a problem with the city's administration reviewing the site as a central park.
Maria Klemack-McGraw said, "The site has been an eyesore for too many years. I believe that the future is now. We must find a way to attract people to our downtown. It would be irresponsible to not take action immediately."
Town Center green frame
Council members voted unanimously to appropriate $34,497 for engineering of the Town Center green frame plan. This amount was decreased from the previously approved $48,430 approved by council last month.
The green frame plan is part of a 2007 city contract with Lincoln Street Studios for the development of a Town Center plan, including trees, improved walkability, public parking and increased streetscape improvements.
Engineer Mike Keller made recommendations of starting with the most achievable improvements and prioritizing as those projects as they are identified.
"Rest assured each one of those projects will be brought back to the council," Stage said.
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