Orderville residents press council to decide on park plan as debate over American Legion building continues

Residents and veterans at a meeting of the Orderville Town Board pressed the council to decide whether to move or replace a town-owned American Legion building so the town can proceed with a grant-funded park and baseball-field project.

Courtney, a resident who addressed the board during the public-comment period, said the town was awarded the maximum state Parks and Recreation grant of $200,000 and received $150,000 from the county Trans and Recreation Board and that the town already has about $150,000–$170,000 earmarked for the project. “So right now, we have over $500,000 raised for this project,” Courtney said.

The nut of the discussion was that the site the town has proposed for the combined park and baseball field includes the parcel on which the American Legion building stands. Several speakers urged the council to move quickly because the grant awards include conditions tied to use of the site and the town must demonstrate an ability to use the property consistent with the grant requirements.

Speakers described competing priorities. Multiple residents, including parents and youth-sports organizers, said Orderville needs another ball field and a modern park to host tournaments and provide recreation space for children. “We have to do something. Just has to happen,” said Stacy, who said she has coordinated baseball programs in town for 30 years.

Veterans and American Legion supporters disputed tearing down or abandoning the existing Legion building. Lynn and other veterans said the property has historical value and that the deed is unclear; they asked the council to investigate whether the property was conveyed to the town via a quitclaim deed and whether it could be reconveyed to the American Legion. “I think we need to take a serious look at the legality of that whole thing,” Lynn told the board.

Speakers offered possible compromises. Eric, who identified himself as a regional Legion member, said the auxiliary would consider relocating if the Legion membership agreed and suggested temporary meeting space at Ponderosa or the event center while a permanent location is found. Other commenters suggested moving the Legion building to a new site or paying to construct a replacement facility; one attendee said moving the structure could cost an estimated $35,000–$40,000.

The public also raised a practical donation and storage question for playground materials: a resident said a supplier had offered to donate six pallet-sized boxes of rubber play-surface material (described in the meeting as six 1,200-pound boxes) but could not store them long-term and asked whether the town could provide storage if the park project moves ahead.

Several residents and council supporters urged the town to prioritize the park because the selected site is the only sizable town-owned parcel that would satisfy both the ball-field and playground grant conditions; presenters said alternate town-owned properties were too small or were located adjacent to the highway or a river, which would disqualify grant funding in some cases. Nick, a resident and parent, summarized the council’s rationale: the chosen site is the safest and most accessible location for children without crossing a major highway.

The board did not take a final vote on relocating or demolishing the American Legion building during the meeting. Several speakers asked the council to put the deed question and relocation options on a future agenda so the town can preserve the awarded grant funds and move the park project forward.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes and bills: Motion to approve the minutes and bills as presented was moved and seconded at the start of the meeting; the chair called for the vote and the motion carried (vote tally not specified).

Ending The council closed public comment on the park and veterans’ building and moved to the business portion of the agenda. Council members and staff said they will continue gathering information on the deed and relocation options and will return with a formal agenda item for decision at a later meeting.