BEAVERCREEK RESIDENTS OFFER IDEAS FOR PARKS

Beavercreek surveying on services as renewal levy sought in 2019.

A splash pad and more trails are popular ideas among residents for improving Beavercreek parks as city leaders plan to seek renewal of the parks levy next year.

About two dozen citizens attended and voiced their opinions at a forum Wednesday night provided by the city’s parks, recreation and culture department.

The city is surveying residents by U.S. mail, online and at the forum to find out their preferences for park services and amenities over the next 10 years.

The city currently manages around 300 acres in 23 parks, according to the city.

“We’re trying to get as much input as we can from people to find out what people really want,” said Pat Hoagland, a consultant hired by the city to assist in updating the city’s master plan for parks and recreation. “We found in a lot of communities that say they don’t have any money... once they do these plans and know what the citizens really want ... they’re much more likely to do

some things and make some improvements.”

Ideas so far received from surveys include building recreation and athletic centers, and more hiking and biking trails to splash parks, but any new project would depend on voters renewing the park tax in May.

“The feedback we receive will assist council in deter- mining the levy amount and what things (capital and pro- gramming) to include moving forward,” said Beavercreek City Manager Pete Landrum.

The parks levy generates about $1.2 million a year in revenue, according to city records.

The city currently employs five full-time and two parttime park maintenance workers, four full-time employees in administration as well as three full-time and one parttime at the senior center.

Resident Tom Barbera said he hopes the city’s parks will remain protected.

“It’s easier for what was a farming community years ago to cash out its precious land and overbuild, and the hope is that we keep our green space,” Barbera said.

The online survey — www. surveymonkey.com/r/Beaver- creekParks — is open through the end of the month.