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Lancaster parks board ratifies expenses, approves beer-and-wine for nonprofit event and highlights Pumpkin Hike turnout
Summary
The board ratified Parks Department expenses, approved a beer-and-wine request for a February 2026 Big Brothers Big Sisters event subject to licensing and safety compliance, and heard departmental updates including a Pumpkin Hike the department says drew roughly 5,500 participants.
At its Nov. 5 meeting the Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners ratified payment of Parks Department expenses, approved an alcohol service request for a nonprofit fundraiser and received routine departmental reports that included a large community turnout for the Pumpkin Hike.
Superintendent Steve Gayfield presented the Expense/Revenue Report; Board member Kari James moved to approve and ratify payment of the department’s expenses, Bob Lovell seconded and the motion passed unanimously. A separate motion approved a request to serve beer and wine at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Ohio’s annual comedy event in February 2026 "subject to all license, insurance and ServSafe compliance," as the motion stated; the motion was made by Bob Lovell, seconded by Kari James and passed unanimously.
Department staff presented Exhibit A, a multi-part update. Highlights included progress at Bowers Park (infields marked and seeded; drainage and grading work by operating engineers; excavation beginning), preparations and logistics support for the Fairfield County Fair, and routine maintenance items such as winterizing the downtown fountain, replacing an electric panel at Alley Park’s covered bridge and replacing gas lines at a caretaker’s house. Staff also reported recreation programming: Elmwood playground equipment has been ordered with arrival expected in 6–8 weeks; the parks team is updating MOUs for ball leagues for 2026; and the Friends of Lancaster Parks donated $3,111.45 for a shuffleboard court tied to a new league.
Olivedale center staff said the Hallowthanksmas Craft Bazaar sold vendor spots and food items, described a two-day pool shutdown after a pump separation (staff purchased a $950 automatic pool filler), and listed upcoming senior programming and trainings. Outdoor education staff reported classroom visits and outreach; staff said the recent Pumpkin Hike used about 50 volunteers and drew approximately 5,500 participants.
Superintendent Gayfield reiterated a previously approved budget item to redo the Rising Park house kitchen; a review found window replacement was needed instead, at an estimated cost of $26,184 — below the $40,000 originally budgeted for the kitchen remodel. The board set its next meeting for Dec. 3, 2025 at noon.
The motions on expenses, the beer-and-wine request and adjournment were all recorded as passing unanimously.
