Needs vs. funds. It’s a common dilemma. And it was the underlying issue as the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District board at last had a chance to hear the long-awaited Master Plan, which was titled “A New Era for Bellefontaine Parks.”
Besides presenting a decent list of proposed projects, though, the company that created the plan had some recommendations for how the city might pay for it. That company — Freytag and Associates out of Sidney, along with assistance from Cindy Driskell with Jaccyn Design in Quincy — presented the board with a placemat display of the highlights.
“Walking is important,” John Freytag said. “The pool is important.”
He pointed out the city’s parks are well-distributed, adding, “You have good bones—the parks are well-distributed with a wide variety of things.”
The plan was based on a survey interviews, park assessments and staff input. They took in the comments, concerns and recommendations from the 541 people who responded, 85 percent being from the school district and/or city of Bellefontaine.
Freytag’s assessment calls for improvements to numerous areas, with park restrooms, playgrounds and walking trails topping the list. New facilities include adding a splash pad, building an indoor fieldhouse and replacing Hoffman pool.
Of course, all of that takes money, and the current funding won’t cover much. According to Freytag’s report, the median national average park operating expenditure per capita for a city with a population less than 20,000 in 2016 was $85.
Bellefontaine, which has a population of 14,701, brings in $35.50 per capita. If the city were to match the national average, the parks department would go from an average of $600,000 a year to over $1.2 million.
“We recommend asking for an increased tax specifically targeted to the parks,” Freytag said. He stated an increase in taxes would give them more options for matching grants.
“Big ticket items,” like a new pool or a fieldhouse, would require a different revenue stream.
Still, the main priority continues to be the ongoing facility and equipment maintenance. Bellefontaine has 17 parks and most of them are showing their age. In fact, Driskell said, “Eighty percent of the parks have equipment that was old when I was a kid.”
The top three goals that came out of the plan are: replace Hoffman pool; renovate Harmon Park, including t-ball, parking and a splash pad; increase funding through taxes and grants.
They also suggested continuity in an identifiable brand with the park signage. In addition, some discussion was given to creating more green space downtown for concerts, events and outdoor activities.
Next up, the plan will be presented to the Bellefontaine City Council at their regular meeting Tuesday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m.
In other BJRD board action Tuesday:
- Though bad weather meant postponing the start of their junior track and field season from May 1 to May 3, they are, according to Kris Myers, parks superintendent, “off and running.”
- With a few exceptions, girls youth softball and Hi-Point baseball games will start next week.
- The old playground and merry-go-round at Ratleff Park have been removed and the area seeded with grass. They hope to move forward with installing new swing sets there soon.
- A spring cleanup day at Myeerah on April 22 had to be postponed, again due to weather. The new work day is set for Saturday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Check the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District’s Facebook page for updates.
- Deb Baker, Bellefontaine city council member, said they have hired a couple new police officers and are looking for another maintenance employee.
- Regarding Hoffman pool, they are working on a boiler issue and have set the season’s dates, which can be found at bellefontaineoh.myrec.com. With 24 lifeguards plus managers already on staff, they are good to go for this summer but, according to Myers, are still accepting applications.
- Myers noted this year’s night swim lessons have been rescheduled to go through mid-June.
The next BJRD meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 6, at 7 p.m. in the Bellefontaine city council room.