By Andrea Cordle
Southwest Editor
Grove City officials are making recreation a priority.
At the Nov. 21 meeting, council discussed several measures that would add recreational opportunities to the city.
Council approved an ordinance to set aside $60,000 from the Pinnacle Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Fund to purchase and install playground equipment and landscaping.
According to Kim Conrad, Grove City Parks and Recreation Director, there is currently no public parkland in the Pinnacle area. She said the city had been working with developers in the Pinnacle area to acquire two small pieces of land.
The city plans to install playground equipment including a small jungle gym and a swing set. Plans also include park benches.
“This is designed for the people who live in the Pinnacle community,” said Conrad.
According to the city ordnance, approximately $52,550 will be used to purchase the playground equipment. The remaining funds would be used for landscaping and other improvements.
The city is authorized to used TIF funds for public infrastructure improvements that would directly benefit the Pinnacle development area.
According to Conrad, the playground should be open for use next spring.
Council also had a first reading on an ordinance to accept a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and appropriate $500,000 from the general fund for the design and construction of the Dream Field playground at Windsor Park.
The city has to appropriate the funds now so it can be reimbursed later through the grant.
Council will have a public hearing and vote on the measure at its Dec. 5 meeting.
Council also approved a resolution to accept donations from the Grove City Little League Board.
The Little League Board was created to help bring Little League baseball back into the city. It succeeded in its mission and helped to fund the Dream Field, as well as other projects at Windsor Park in Grove City.
Now, the Little League Board is disbanding and decided to give its remaining funds to Grove City Buddy Ball and the city.
The board gave a donation of $103,000 to the city for the Dream Field and an accessible playground. It also donated two golf carts to be used by the parks and recreation department.
The Little League Board will become an arm of the city’s parks and recreation board.
In other news, council had its first reading of an ordinance that would create a do-not-knock registry in the city.
According to the legislation, the city would like to place additional restrictions on persons and organizations visiting private residential properties to solicit goods, merchandise or services.
The city’s safety director would maintain a registry of residents who expressed a desire not to be visited by any peddler or commercial solicitor.
The registry would be voluntary.
A second reading and public hearing on the matter will be held Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
