Parks and Recreation proposes 20‑year access agreement with CenterPointe Church for Sunpoint Park parking, seeks multiple grants and engineering contracts

Parks and Recreation staff asked the Committee of the Whole on June 9 to approve several items: a 20‑year access agreement with CenterPointe Church to use the church’s parking lot as overflow for Sunpoint Park (with a requested initial appropriation of $150,000); appropriation and fund‑transfer authority for a state boat‑safety reimbursement grant; a contract with Kleinfelder Engineering for pond improvements at Woodside Green and Hannah Park; and council authorization to apply for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) forestry grant.

The Sunpoint Park proposal matters because the park’s athletic and community programming generates high parking demand and staff said the church’s lot is the most convenient overflow option. Parks Director said the church will retain maintenance responsibility, and the proposed agreement requires the city to provide a $150,000 first payment (part of a 20‑year arrangement that totals $300,000). The administration said the fee compensates the church for long‑term access and maintenance responsibilities, and noted a full reconstruction of that lot could cost well over $300,000.

On the boat‑safety grant, Parks staff said the ODNR award is a reimbursement grant of $18,931 with a city match of $4,733; staff requested a supplemental appropriation and authority for the finance director to transfer matching funds into the dedicated boat safety fund. Council did not raise objections and staff said matching funds are available.

For stormwater/pond work, Parks requested authorization to contract with Kleinfelder Engineering to design improvements at Woodside Green Ponds and Hannah Park. Staff said Woodside Green is a frequently used fishing location and Hannah requires evaluation for dredging and other maintenance; permitting and environmental review could extend the schedule and staff said Hannah improvements may not occur until 2027, while Woodside Green work may be sooner. Staff committed to robust public notification—including letters, online updates and videos—before any dredging or dewatering work that would disrupt park use.

Finally, Parks asked council to authorize the administration to apply for an ODNR forestry grant targeting Royal Manor area plantings; staff said that area is the only neighborhood that qualified under the current grant map. Councilmembers supported bringing the items forward for consent and asked questions about maintenance expectations, outreach and potential schedules; Parks staff said maintenance obligations are spelled out in the access agreement and agreed to public‑notice and outreach plans for any pond work.