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Resident raises Lake Anna safety concerns; mayor and staff describe ongoing maintenance, geese mitigation efforts
Summary
A resident told council that goose droppings and missing handrails at Lake Anna created safety hazards; the mayor said staff are addressing handrails, sidewalk repairs, and long‑standing challenges with federally protected geese and vandalized port‑a‑potties.
A Barberton resident on Monday told council that goose droppings, uneven sidewalks and missing handrails at Lake Anna created a safety hazard for park users, including elderly residents. The mayor and staff outlined steps already taken and explained long‑standing constraints on geese control.
Richard (last name recorded as Spiegel in the meeting sign‑in) described geese “up to the main sidewalk” and told council he counted roughly 25–31 geese near the lake. He also said an elderly woman struggled on a slope near the gazebo and suggested additional handrails would help.
The mayor responded that city crews have performed sidewalk shaving at high spots and that work on handrails at the gazebo is underway with volunteers and partners. He said porta‑potties at the park have been vandalized repeatedly; staff have relocated some portable toilets and perform regular checks before events.
On geese, the mayor said the animals are federally protected and that the city has used multiple non‑lethal deterrents—loud noises, dogs, decoy silhouettes and a remote‑controlled boat—and has spoken with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and other municipalities. He said physical removal through ODNR’s permit process has been used elsewhere but is limited in timing and does not prevent future birds from returning.
No council action or ordinance was taken at the meeting on the Lake Anna requests; the mayor invited the resident to meet with staff and reported ongoing maintenance and planned improvements.
What’s next: The mayor and public‑works staff said they will continue work on handrails and sidewalks at Lake Anna, monitor portable‑toilet placement and coordinate further with volunteers and outside agencies on geese management.
