Ashland approves $1,000 purchase of former Lincoln Elementary site to create neighborhood park

The Ashland City Council on a unanimous vote approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the city to buy the former Lincoln Elementary School site at 30 West Eleventh Street for $1,000 and accept transfer of roughly 1.4 acres with the aim of converting the lot into a neighborhood park.

Mayor Miller told council the parcel, long known in Ashland as the Lincoln Elementary site, had been offered by the school board and that the board previously approved the sale. “They have agreed to sell us this property for $1,000,” Mayor Miller said, and he described the city's plan to secure donations to install playground equipment and other park amenities.

Mayor Miller said the city hopes to call the future green space Lincoln Park and to incorporate the school's capstone into the park because of its historical connection to residents who remember the school. He said there are potential donors, including former teachers and local playground-build partners, though no firm commitments were announced during the meeting.

Council moved to dispense with reading the ordinance in full, then voted to suspend the rules to allow three separate readings on three separate days and to adopt the ordinance as an emergency. The clerk recorded aye votes from Caio, Miller, Woodward, Lawson, Workman and Kyle; the ordinance was identified as Ordinance 24-25.

Mayor Miller said staff would work with the parks department and, if desired, professional designers or equipment suppliers to select playground equipment that fits the site and minimizes maintenance. The council did not set a construction timetable; the mayor described acquisition as the first step and said fundraising and design would follow.

The ordinance authorizes the mayor to execute closing documents and declares the measure immediately necessary for the public peace, property, health, safety and welfare.