Parks director updates officials

For the first time since the spring, the Elyria Parks and Recreation Director Carrie Reardon gave an update Oct. 19 on the municipal parks.

Reardon spoke to Elyria City Council at a meeting updating members on the multiple projects and a schedule for upcoming events.

“I’m happy to be back,” she said. “I just want to thank you all for your support of the department and looking forward to bringing back some things safely as we move forward.”

Reardon returned to her job last week after she was laid off in May.

This comes after an intense several month disagreement between council and Mayor Frank Whitfield over bringing Reardon back.

Council President Vic Stewart said he was happy to see Reardon return to her job.

“We’re glad to have you back, and I’d like to personally thank the mayor for making this happen,” Stewart said. “I appreciate that.”

Within the next week, Reardon said she will have schedule dates ready to put out for the ice rink, and if permitting, other recreation centers.

“The rink is open for operating, the hockey club is going,” she said. “One high school, so far, has skated.”

Reardon said the renovations and construction at the East Rec Center will be 80% to 90% completed by the Nov. 3 Election Day.

As a voting site, Reardon said construction at East Rec will not be in the way of residents trying to vote.

Additionally, a lease agreement to allow Horizon Education Centers to use South Rec for an after-school program is going through the Law Department.

Reardon said it should go before Council soon.

“It should get back to you guys, I believe, by Nov. 2 for full Council, and we’ll go over that and decide a date that Horizon feels comfortable moving their program after that,” she said.

Construction on a shelter at East Park should begin soon, and the restrooms will follow behind closely after, Reardon said.

Because of the trail at East, Reardon said those bathrooms will be available throughout the entire year.

“With the new trail back there, we thought it would be a good idea to make this one year round so as people are walking, they could utilize that,” she said.

The parks department has benches to put out soon, and trash cans along the trail may also be installed, Reardon said.