Loveland council authorizes submission of Nesbitt Park capital grant, plans turf and accessibility upgrades

The Loveland City Council voted unanimously to authorize submission of a Claremont County capital grant application and to commit the city’s local match for the Nesbitt Park Place Upgrade Project.

City staff described a plan to replace mulch with turf to improve accessibility, expand the park footprint, add higher‑quality play equipment to broaden the usable age range, and refresh other park amenities. City staff said the application will be submitted before Christmas and that the city could expect notification in January or February. “When Nesbitt is done, my estimation would be by 2027 almost all facets of the Nesbitt Park master plan will be completed,” a staff presenter told council.

The project team emphasized accessibility improvements: replacing surfacing with turf to improve wheelchair access and reduce maintenance; staff also noted letters of support from the Little Miami Conservancy and the Friends of Little Miami State Park had been received and strengthen the grant request.

Council members asked whether the project requires historic‑district review because Nesbitt Park is in the historic district; staff said they were not certain the play equipment met the district’s review thresholds and would clarify during procurement and design. Staff also said that if funded, the city’s local match would be included in the city’s CIP and likely appear in the FY2027 budget.

Council adopted the resolution authorizing submission of the FY27–28 Claremont County capital application and committing a local match by a 7–0 vote. The city will report back to council with procurement details if the grant is awarded.