Parks staff outline park projects, close Patriot Playground pending repairs; board approves minutes and adjourns

The Parks and Recreation Board received a status update on May 7 from parks staff outlining progress on several maintenance and capital projects and upcoming community events, and approved its April 2, 2025 minutes before adjourning.

Staff noted that the Bettler Park basketball renovation is nearing completion: "The Bettler Park basketball project, the renovation should be complete — at least the asphalt in — by the end of this week," the staff member said, adding that color coating should follow the next week. The staff member also reported that the Willowdale Trail connection to the Bettler Park loop is open and that a community walk on April 25 included Mayor Yerigan.

The report covered a range of projects that staff said are progressing. Staff said about 100 trees were planted at Bettler Park by FirstEnergy volunteers, coordinated by Urban Forester Bryce Zimmerman, and described ongoing wayfinding sign installation (phase 1 at Bettler Park, phase 2 at Southgate Park). A soft opening at Kleckner Park on April 28 drew dozens of children from the Challenger and GOAL programs; staff said attendees were offered hot dogs and soft drinks.

On restroom projects, staff said the Design Review Board recommended the park monument identification sign for the Greensburg and Thursby Road corner and recommended the Creek Balm Park restroom design to zoning. The restroom was described as a precast concrete building (floors, walls and roof) that will be manufactured off-site; staff estimated 4 to 6 months for manufacture and delivery and suggested installation could occur in late November or early December.

Staff reported volunteer invasive-plant removal results: "We had 17 volunteers for the day. We harvested 1,282 and a half pounds of garlic mustard," the staff member said, and highlighted major contributions from Dan Pollock (422.2 pounds) and the Key Club (360.8 pounds).

The board was told the city received three responses to an RFP for the family park design and development and that staff will review proposals and expect to make a selection by the end of the month; firms named in the report were Environmental Design Group, Brandcenter Carroll and GPD Group of Akron. Staff also invited the board to a public art dedication for a new piece by Bob Yost at Central Park on May 14 and previewed Memorial Day Parade participation details to be shared by Matt Kress.

On playground safety, staff said Patriot Playground (installed in 2015) is affected by a 2017 change in National Playground Safety Institute guidelines that altered clearances around support posts. "It'll be closed until it's been repaired," the staff member said; staff told the board that council has legislation for an additional appropriation to fund repairs and that council previously appropriated $50,000 this fiscal year for resurfacing. Staff said the current pour-in-place surface will be replaced with playground turf as part of the work.

Staff urged board members to begin considering projects for the 2026 capital budget, which staff said is due in September, and listed candidate items including ADA upgrades, wayfinding signs, picnic tables and ongoing restroom and joint school-city projects. The board approved the minutes from April 2, 2025 by voice vote and then adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the April 2, 2025 minutes by voice vote; a motion to adjourn carried by voice vote.

Next steps: Staff will review the family-park RFP responses and expect to recommend a firm by the end of May; staff will bring Patriot Playground repair funding to city council for appropriation and will close the playground until repairs meet current guidelines.