By Paula Pyzik Scott
The Park District board for Liberty Township met on Monday, January 29 with a full house at its meeting room at Simon St. and Park Dr. Bob Szuch was elected as board president; the board also includes Neal Dumbaugh and Fred Reichert. Ken Wolke is the park manager and Mary Jane Lee is the clerk.
FIREFIGHTERS CONVENTION
The board met with several members of the volunteer Ada-Liberty Fire Department regarding the use of War Memorial Park for the 2024 convention of the Northwestern Ohio Volunteer Firemen's Association. The event could bring as many as 4,000-6,000 people to the village.
The June 14-15 event will include camping at the park, with the Hardin County Health Department to determine the number of toilets/porta potties to be required. Hardin County Sheriff's department deputies will provide security at the park.
The conversation touched on parking for fire units, some of which are very large, the use of the stadium for award presentations, use of a fenced-in ball diamond for a music venue and beer tent location, and what location would be best for waterball competitions. This event is similar to tug-of-war; two teams use fire hoses to move a ball.
The schedule of events will likely be confirmed by March, when packets go out to participants.
PARK MAINTENANCE
The board discussed the cost of fixing lights at the stadium. Replacing oil switches which are failing was said to be unexpected; it was also noted that they are some 60 years old.
A proposal from AG Sports Services for track, pole vault and long jump resurfacing was reviewed. It is over 10 years since the track has been resurfaced. The board voted unanimously to accept the proposal.
GRANT APPLICATION
A state grant application to help fund major park improvements was discussed. An Ohio State House application has been submitted, but an Ohio Senate application is still in the works. Szuch noted that the Ada Exempted Village Schools have written outstanding letters of support.
The parameters of the $1.43M project were outlined at a January Ada Council meeting as listed below. It is expected that grants would require a 50% match.
- Stadium lighting - $220,000.00
- East restrooms - $200,000.00 - No restrooms are near the baseball fields
- Shelter house #2 - $240,000.00 - 63-year old shelter house requires replacement
- Concession stand - $350,000.00 - Old concession is unhealthy and unsafe; replacement would have bathrooms accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Storage Building - $200,000.00 - Park equipment is exposed in all weather
- Playground Equipment - $120,000.00 - New equipment that is accessible to person with disabilities
- New blacktop sidewalks - $100.000.00
The next meeting of the park board will be 7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 19.
