Huber Heights council reviews master plan for Thomas Cloud Park, OKs grant submissions

City officials and park designers presented a master-plan validation and concept design for Thomas Cloud Park on Aug. 19, focusing new facilities at the park's southeast entry and asking the council to move forward with two grant applications to help pay for a larger playground and invasive-tree removal.

The plan, developed by MSA designers Amber Wazinski and Amy Benetti, centers a new playground, splash pad, community building and amphitheater near the Grange Pike/park entrance to create a stronger street presence and a large central green intended to hold both daily uses and major events such as the city's fireworks. "If we could consolidate some of these new program elements, the playground, the splash pad, the amphitheater in this area, improve that street presence, and then also address some of those entry concerns," Wazinski said, "this would really hit a lot of those priorities." Benetti added the master plan is a "road map" and emphasized the plan will be refined in schematic design and construction-document phases.

Why it matters: designers and staff told the council the consolidation improves access, creates event-ready space and opens opportunities for grant funding. Sarah (city parks staff) said the city is seeking a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to help build the large, highly accessible playground; that grant can be up to $500,000 and requires a 100% local match. The council also agreed to move forward with an ODNR urban-tree grant application, up to $100,000, to remove invasive Callery (Bradford) pear trees and replace them at a 2:1 ratio.

Design highlights and trade-offs: the concept places a VIP/drop-off loop with ADA parking near the amphitheater and expands the main parking footprint by roughly 115 spaces. Designers described a 9.5-to-10-acre central green positioned to hold both regular community events and the approximately 20,000 people who attend the city fireworks. The amphitheater was designed to function for small community events most of the time and scale up for occasional large events.

Council members pressed on sports-field impacts and site details. Council member Scott asked specifically about baseball diamonds removed in the plan; designers said moving a diamond north appeared expensive because of grade changes and that options include converting an existing field and adding lights or rethinking parking expansion. Sarah said the master plan is phased: phase 1 would not eliminate soccer fields; phase 2 would remove two soccer fields currently rented by an outside group and those teams could be accommodated at Shoal Gate and Cottonwood; phase 3 could trigger further conflicts with youth fields and would require re-engagement with user groups.

Acquisition and natural area: staff said the city has submitted a grant application to acquire an additional 9 acres adjacent to the park and earmarked that parcel as preserved natural space with interpretive creek access and walking paths. "Currently, we have submitted for a grant to acquire that 9 acres, and in doing so, we have earmarked it for natural space," Sarah said, noting earnest-money deposits have been made and that the legislation approving the agreement is contingent on receiving the acquisition grant.

Accessibility and playground design: the designers said the proposed playground and splash pad would substantially increase capacity and be designed for accessibility, including ramped access, sensory-friendly elements and seating/fencing approaches that balance safety and openness. "We are starting to... make sure that we're being inclusive as we approach that design," Benetti said, listing ramping, sensory and fence/seat-wall options.

Other operational points: designers and staff said circulation improvements will be explored in traffic and sight-line studies; the new drive into the park will likely be two lanes in and two lanes out to aid large-event circulation. Council member Fred raised concern about sun angles on the amphitheater stage; staff said they had considered orientation in prior outreach and will design shading elements into the pavilion.

Next steps: staff said schematic design and design development will follow, with additional stakeholder outreach when specific amenities and finishes are selected. Council and staff also agreed to present the two ODNR grant submissions (Land & Water Conservation Fund and Urban Tree Grant Fund) for formal approval on the upcoming regular meeting agenda.

Ending: designers and staff thanked the steering committee and community for participation and noted the master plan remains a flexible guiding document during later design stages.