Parks Commission October Meeting
The Parks Commission met Wednesday morning to review a couple of Jaycees events and hear updates on park projects, including yet another delay at Grove Hill.
Jaycees Events
The Chagrin Valley Jaycees plan once again to host Oktubafest on Saturday, October 26 in Triangle park. Deck the Falls will return on December 7 and 14 from 11:00 to 3:00. We voted to recommend both events and they will be presented to Council on October 14.
Riverside Playground
I again suggested that we add benches along the northeast side so there is somewhere to sit with sight lines of the play area for older kids. Rob Jamieson confirmed that those will be added to the budget for 2025. John Brockway mentioned that the turtle sculpture and an additional trash can will return to the east end as soon as a concrete pad can be poured, possibly this year but more likely next.
Elsewhere in Riverside
Although the 2024 budget included $82,500 for its construction, the new pavilion planned for the east end of the park will not be started until at least 2025, as the village has not published a Request for Proposals, chosen a design, or selected a vendor. Rob also shared that they are planning next year to replace the wood planters on the steps with concrete.
Ben King Arboretum
There was some more discussion about the very poor condition of the grounds, including dead trees and the fact that it’s been overtaken by weeds.
Grove Hill Park
Rob announced that the first round of planting – planned for this fall – will now be delayed until 2025. The planting plans and RFP are ready but it is now too late; greenhouse stocks are running low and contractors are booked for the remainder of the year. He said they would work to select a vendor and have the contract signed in 2024 so the work can start as soon as weather allows. It’s been more than four years since the village acquired the property for this park.
They’re also considering adding a railing to the path above the stairs – something tasteful and period-appropriate. Ken Roby was mentioned as a possibility for the work.
The next Parks Commission meeting will be November 6 at 8:30 am.