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Parks & Rec wins foundation grants, hires new director and debates replacing metal batting cages
Summary
Council heard that Parks & Recreation received two Community Foundation grants earmarked for trail repairs, Beatty Park shelter construction is scheduled April 30–June 1, Donald Patterson will begin as parks director May 11, and councilors debated replacing hazardous metal batting-cage fencing with netted cages at multiple fields.
City Manager Michael Johnson told council that Parks & Recreation received two grants from the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley and applied for two additional grants; the funds are being earmarked for Jim Wood walking-trail repairs and related park needs.
Johnson announced the Beatty Park shelter construction schedule (beginning April 30 and running through about June 1) and said Donald Patterson accepted the Parks & Recreation director position and will begin May 11. Council members welcomed the hire.
Members then discussed batting cages: councilors said existing metal-fence cages at Belleview are dangerous because ricocheting baseballs can strike users and bystanders. The email circulated about replacement cages listed turf size of 15 by 35; council discussed using existing cage skeletons and ordering netting or installing netted, modern cages at multiple sites (Belleview, North End, Jim Woods, and a possible third at Murphy's Field).
No final appropriation was approved during the meeting; council asked staff to study locations, costs and specifications for new netting and to coordinate volunteer efforts to repair existing structures where feasible.
