Resident seeks to run daily summer camp at village park; council cites capacity and safety issues

A South Zanesville resident asked council for permission to operate a daily summer camp at the village park during summer hours, but council members concluded the park is likely not ready for a camp of that size this year.

Stephanie Swingle told council the camp would run roughly 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and that enrollment had grown from about five children in earlier seasons to approximately 40, drawing children from Franklin Local, John Glenn, West Muskingum and Zanesville school districts. She said the camp would require use of the shelter house, electricity and portable toilets.

Council members asked whether the camp would remain at a single park location, what locations had been used before and what specific camp requirements were needed. Members raised concerns about the shelter’s size relative to 40 children, the park’s limited restroom facilities (the site currently has only one portable toilet), ongoing park improvements that could limit space and the need for robust storm and weather contingency plans. Given those concerns and the duration of a daily weekday commitment, council did not move to approve the request at this meeting; members expressed support for the concept and interest in increased park usage, and suggested smaller-scale arrangements or revisiting the idea in a future year once facilities are improved.

Next step: Ms. Swingle and staff may pursue alternative park locations or smaller-scale programming and return with a revised proposal when the village park’s facilities or temporary accommodations (restrooms/shelter) are sufficient.