Parks Commission April Meeting
The Parks Commission met Wednesday morning and voted to recommend a location for the pavilion in Riverside Park.
We had a full agenda for Wednesday’s meeting, including two park event applications, multiple proposed park projects, and a decision on the Riverside Park pavilion location.
Park Events
Shakespeare By the Falls (August 12 & 13) and the Chagrin Documentary Film Fest (October 3 - 8) will both return this year. The film fest requested the option to screen documentaries in Triangle Park if Riverside is inaccessible due to the the Main Street Bridge project. The commission voted to recommend both events to council.
Little Free Library in Whitesburg
Chagrin Falls resident Allison Siegel has requested to install a Little Free Library in Whitesburg Nature Preserve in memory of Alex Chavez. Some concerns were raised about the possibility of damage from vandalism and/or weather in such a remote location, but we agreed that the risks were minor and the worst-case scenario would only be having to replace or remove it. The commission voted in favor of recommending it to village council.
Riverside Park Pavilions Location
The Parks Commission selected a location for the pavilion that will replace the old skating shelter; to be recommended to council so that construction can start after Art By the Falls, as part of the annual park restoration in mid-June. I’ve already shared my thoughts on the matter in this email to Sue Reid at the Chagrin Valley Times.
I do want to add that this decision is not final until village council votes to approve it. Members of the public have an opportunity to speak to agenda items at every meeting of council, but you must call Village Hall (440-247-5050) before noon on the day of the meeting to be listed in that section of the agenda.
Ben King Arboretum and River Walk Loop Trail Signage
Chagrin Falls Historical Society will gave an update on the signage for Ben King Arboretum and River Walk Trail. The plan is to place at least three, and possibly four, signs at various spots in the arboretum and along the trail with QR codes that link to video histories of the area. The commission gave the green light to proceed with final designs.
Butterfly Way Station
The Dogwood Valley Garden Club would like to contibute to a project to improve the village in some way and came with a few suggestions, looking for feedback. One possibility was a butterfly way station, but after some discussion we decided that a better option would be assisting the Service Department with the planting around the steps and sidewalks at the corner of Cleveland and Vincent Streets.
River Run Dog Park Turf
There was no news regarding the proposed artificial turf at River Run Dog Park. It is still on the list of projects to be considered in 2024, although there are still many questions to be answer regarding the engineering, maintenance, and source of funds for the project.
River Run Baseball Field
I’m working with several different groups who are interested in supporting and improving Chagrin’s baseball facilities at River Run and Founders Field. Representatives from the village Service Department, Chagrin Athletic Association, and a group wishing to honor some CAA alumni who were instrumental in the creation of the field at River Run will all be in attendance at the next meeting of the Parks Commission on May 3.
Parks Master Plan
Most commission members had a hard stop after an hour, so we tabled the discussion of a Master Plan for Chagrin Parks until our next meeting