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Parks director reports new AED installs, a 15‑passenger senior van and rising aquatics memberships
Summary
At the meeting, Parks staff briefed the board on nine AED installs across parks, a new 15‑passenger senior van (not handicap accessible), training funded by the Parks and Recreation Foundation for CPR/AED certification, and an increase in aquatics memberships to 289 — 98 more than the same time last year.
During the director’s report, Recreation Department staff summarized recent equipment installs, staffing and program metrics for Gahanna parks.
Stephanie (Recreation Department) said nine locations have received automated external defibrillators (AEDs); placement varies by park and typically the units are in visible exterior cases mounted on shelters or buildings. “It depends on each location. They're of course, visible,” Stephanie said, explaining the cases open and the units provide on-device instructions when activated. She acknowledged the department has experienced misuse at one site and said staff are working to manage that concern; the transcript identifies the location of that incident as Sunpoint Park in Creekside.
Stephanie also reported the department received a new 15‑passenger vehicle to assist with senior transportation and other department needs. The vehicle is rated as a 15‑passenger van but staff said one seat was removed to improve maneuverability; staff estimated it comfortably carries up to 11 passengers. The van is not handicap accessible and does not have a lift, and a second identical van is on order.
On training, Stephanie said the Parks and Recreation Foundation funded CPR, first aid and AED certification courses for affiliate program personnel; up to 20 individuals will be able to receive certification at no cost. Staff emphasized that while AEDs provide voice instructions and will not “activate” unless necessary, skill-based training increases user confidence and safety.
The report highlighted aquatics: as of the meeting there were 289 aquatic memberships, 98 more than the same time last year. Staff credited marketing and outreach for higher membership and program registrations. Summer camps were reported as largely full, seasonal staffing was “almost completely full” and the department said it has hired over 200 seasonal staff for the summer; staff estimated retention of more than 50% among returning seasonal hires for camps and aquatics, and said they will provide exact retention numbers once recruitment is complete.
Board members asked clarifying questions about accessibility of the new van, AED placement and misuse, and the timing of the aquatics master plan draft; staff said the draft report is under internal review and will be discussed with the steering committee before a final timeline is set.
