Forum unveils design concepts for play space

A community-driven initiative to update the Avon Lake Play Space, also known as the ALPS, is moving forward with new design concepts.

The 25-year-old park could get a new look with growing support from the community.

In June, organizer Brian Sabin and other residents met with Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka and from there began building support in the community.

“We know how special this park is to our community, and we know what happens to wood when you leave it out for a quarter century,” Sabin said.

A well-attended public forum in September was followed by a survey which received close to 300 responses from residents about what they would see with the playground located at Bleser Park, 32800 Electric Blvd.

The group has raised just under $30,000 for the project and the city stepped up and invested in the bringing two design concepts from OHM Advisors.

At Avon Lake Ward 3 and 4 meetings in February

at Troy Intermediate School, Sabin described the concept as incorporating an inclusive, multi-generational Avon Lake Play Space that people of all abilities can enjoy, making it accessible for people with mobility issues.

Both concepts will include multi-generational, inclusive play (sections for younger and older children), a challenge course, fitness trail (with stations) and creative play including new trends.

“The idea is these different play elements are blended together, yet separated, so you have a dynamic place for everybody to enjoy to mix all different types of people and ages of people,” Sabin said. “But you still have those defined areas that serve different populations so that everybody feels comfortable in those zones.”

The project will continue gathering feedback from Avon Lake parent teacher associations and will get youth involved.

He said 250 workbooks were distributed to Avon Lake students to sketch out their dream park and ideas they would like to see incorporated.

Some teachers have incorporated the workbooks into their lessons, Sabin said.

He said he hopes to have all the feedback gathered by March 20, at which point they will move designing a full rendering.

COURTESY OF BRIAN SABIN AND OHM ADVISORS A design concept of the future look of the Avon Lake Play Space at Bleser Park adds multi aspects of recreation into the space.