The city’s recreation director told the Oberlin City Council Wednesday that the Recreation Department is updating its master plan and pursuing a facility assessment while continuing established programs including after-school enrichment and summer playground programs.

Ian Yarber outlined department staffing, partnerships, and program counts: he said the recreation office coordinates the Oberlin Richmond Activity Center (OEAC), manages park and pavilion reservations (he reported about 72 park reservations last year), and oversees summer and after-school programs that served roughly 160 playground participants and about 80 after-school students in the most recent year. Yarber also said the department distributed approximately 200 pool passes through a partnership with Lorain County Metroparks for qualifying residents.

Following the presentation, the council considered Ordinance No. 25-02, which would update fee schedules for city recreation programs. Yarber said the Recreation Commission reviewed fees and recommended modest increases (highlighted in the ordinance exhibit) and a sliding-scale and scholarship program for families with financial hardship. Councilmember Maren Fowler New moved the ordinance on first reading; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Walter. The council subsequently voted to waive the usual three-reading requirement on the ordinance (moved by New, seconded by Lopez). Council discussed but declined to add an immediate-effect clause; members indicated they will return to the ordinance at a future meeting for final action.

Council members praised the recreation staff and said the planned facility assessment and update to the Parks and Recreation strategic plan (the department’s last update was in 2011) will help guide future capital and program decisions.

Vote record on the first-reading motion and waive-3-readings motion was recorded in the meeting: New — aye; McFarland — aye; English — aye; Lopez — aye; Peterson — aye; Walter — aye; Johnson (Mayor Ebony A. Johnson) — aye.

Yarber said staff will circulate further details on the fee exhibit and the department will continue outreach on scholarships and reduced rates for residents with demonstrated financial need.