City project signals better Internet service

Wi-Fi is spreading on Chardon Square.

City officials have partnered with Chardon Tomorrow to provide free wireless Internet access on the south end of the Square between Main Street and East Park Street.

No password is needed. However, users must agree to the terms and conditions for Wi-Fi use. Users are reminded not to exchange any personal or payment information on this unsecure network.

“Hopefully people will take advantage of it when they are in the park and having their lunch and just want to check news or whatever,” City Manager Randy

Sharpe said.

The city put Wi-Fi access in the Heritage House for rentals and events that take place there. Expanding it to the rest of the park required three more wireless access points and wall mounts to get the needed coverage, he said.

It is the same wireless network available at the Municipal Center for public use in the building.

Chardon Tomorrow started the project to provide Wi-Fi on the square several years ago. However, the available technology wasn’t advanced enough to provide an adequate signal for the entire square, Chardon Tomorrow Executive Director Mary Glauser said.

“We began discussions with the city about 18 months ago as they were updating their Wi-Fi technology, as we felt it was a promise we needed to fulfill to the businesses and residents in Chardon,” she said. “Not only was it a promise we needed to fulfill, we felt it was still relevant to our business community to be able to offer it to their customers, and for residents and visitors for their personal use. The technology also helps with implementation of events on the square from movies to presentations to concerts.

“Ideally, students can connect and do their homework after school, residents can read an e-book … or square businesses like Jasmine Dragons or Ubuntu can stream music for outdoor classes.”

Sharpe noted other recent improvements on the square.

“Also, the audio system in the park was upgraded last year to provide enhanced sound and better coverage,” he said. “The system included new speakers on the bandstand and on the Heritage House. The sound quality and clarity is much better throughout the square. One benefit of having the multiple speakers is to control the volume and coverage when there are large crowds on the square. Prior to this installation, the sound would not travel very far beyond the bandstand.”

Glauser called the partnership with city invaluable.

“We are so grateful for their continued support on this project and so many others,” she said.