The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
City talks, dreams about rec, parks
Elyria held a town hall meeting Oct. 12 to discuss a master plan for the parks and recreation department.
Mayor Frank Whitfield encouraged audience participation and said the only way the voices of the people would be heard was for them to share ideas through participation in activities, speaking and a survey.
“The purpose of tonight is to get community input on decisions,” Whitfield said.
Attendees were able to express what they thought about the local parks through an activity using sticky notes and the names of parks. People were given the time to share their favorite things about their parks, improvements, and what they like to do at parks.
“Folks don’t realize how many parks we have here in Elyria,” Whitfield said.
Several times activities for senior citizens were brought up. Councilwoman Donna Mitchell suggested using Oakwood School for senior programs.
According to Elyria resident Kathleen Keller, senior citizens need areas to work out safely and regularly.
“I belong to the senior program. It’s wonderful,” Keller said. “If we could just keep it going.”
coming way in here,” gramming ever, Whitfield niors “We For the for during Keller if get now, parking seasons and they’d is a asked outside. said. lot the senior it’s to be of lot meeting an the be people inter- How- easy over pro- safe seested door ity sports Children of program them in were attending agreed. discussed and and a major- youth an in- at length brought creating as up sports well. a possibility clinics Whitfield for of children during the to pandemic. remain active
set Before in stone, sports parks clinics direc- are tor Carrie Reardon said she and Whitfield want to be sure there will be community participation.
“We want to make sure people will show up if we’re spending time working on the plans and getting the equipment,” Reardon said.
Additionally, popular ideas for parks and improvements dog programming, or the As an park, city the aquatic continued master summer center. included new plan theatre to pools for be a discussed, principal Carroll tendees Inc. on of Pat the guided Brandstetter Hoagland, process the at- of updating created The master late the plan. 2014 plan and was finalized gland. As in 2016 developments said Hoacontinue gland said to see there light, will Hoa- be zoom meetings, stakeholder meetings, surveys and other methods of communication to gain public insight. “Early in the spring we’ll come up with a plan for what the improvements will be. All of the recommendations will be com-ing from you all ,” Hoagland said.