Athens County and Ferndale Baseball Association formalize park-use agreement for Torch Park

The Athens County Board of Commissioners approved a park-use agreement with the Ferndale Baseball Association on March 25 that formalizes terms for use of Torch Park (Ferndale Park) for youth baseball programs.

Under the agreement, the association may use the ball fields for spring and summer practice and league play and is authorized to collect reasonable fees to offset maintenance costs. The association agreed to maintain dirt infields and perform daily litter control, provide or arrange for concession and restroom facilities and, if required, assume costs for permanent improvements it installs. The county will provide water and sanitation facilities at the park and will maintain county-owned backstops and fencing installed prior to the agreement.

The association must maintain general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 naming the Athens County Board of Commissioners as an additional insured and must provide certificates of insurance. The agreement requires the association to participate with county designees in a joint planning process and to provide a seasonal schedule of play each April. It also includes indemnification language: the association will indemnify and hold harmless the county and board from claims arising from association actions and will conduct background checks on volunteers and staff who supervise children.

The agreement is effective on execution and is structured to allow either party to terminate with 30 days’ written notice; the association may remove its permanent improvements within one year following termination or forfeit them to the county if not removed. The full agreement text was included in the meeting packet and placed on file.