Parks Commission December Meeting

The Parks Commission met Wednesday morning and discussed a number of past and future initiatives.

NYE Popcorn Ball Drop

We voted to recommend that Village Council approve the event application for the New Year’s Eve Popcorn Ball Drop.

Community Survey

I let the commission know that the Facilities & Services Committee will meet to discuss conducting a community survey, but likely not until January 2024 since committee members may be changing.

2023 Accomplishments and 2024 Goals and Objectives

  • Added baseball dugout covers and dog park surface improvements (sod, gravel) at River Run Park
  • Added new baseball fencing, dugout cement pads and covers at Founders Field

Riverside Park Pavilion

We voted to recommend that Village Council approve a list of design parameters for the new pavilion, which will allow the administration to work with CT Consultants to develop an Opinion of Probable Cost Estimate. The rough parameters are:

  • Large enough to comfortably accommodate four standard-sized picnic tables
  • Wood pillar and truss construction
  • Stamped cement floor
  • Options for different roofing materials
  • Stone pillar bases
  • Lighting, with motion sensor
  • Four electrical outlets, with shutoff capability
  • No fireplace

Riverside Park

  • Dead Tree
    • On the list to be removed by the Service Department
  • Lighting
    • We’re exploring the possibility of removing the utility pole in the center of the park, which used to serve the skating rink but is ugly and no longer serves much purpose.
    • I relayed feedback from Chief Dacek, who recommends adding lighting by playground and new pavilion, but has no major concerns with removing the utility pole.
    • I will reach out to the Jaycees and Valley Art Center to get their input

River Run Park

Village CAO Rob Jamieson has continued discussions with community members wishing to make a sizable donation to support the continued improvements to the baseball facilities. Suggest working with the Chagrin History Center to develop signage explaining the history of that land, from village dump to village park.

River Run Dog Park

We continued discussing the mud problem at River Run Dog Park. The Service Department will put together a plan for 2024 the includes infill dirt to bring the ground level up, grass sod, and possibly pea gravel in a portion of the fenced in area to stabilize the surface.

River Walk Trail

At River Walk Trail, the village administration will reach out to an adjacent homeowner with an abandoned play set in the woods on village property.

Miscellaneous

  • Toy vendor in Riverside Park during the Lighting of the Greens
  • Cars parked on Franklin Street during Lighting of the Greens.

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, January 3, 2024.