EXCELLENCE IN WASHINGTON TWP.
Township beefed up activities for seniors when center closed.
An effort to WASHINGTON TWP. — improve recreational programming for senior citizens earned state recognition for the Washington Township Recreation Department.
The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association selected the Washington Township Recreation Department for a first-place Award of Excellence in Management Innovation for its work in establishing diversified and sustainable programming for senior adults.
The township initiative was among 14 projects and programs selected for first-place awards from a field of about 150. Awards were judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.
“These award winners represent the best of the best in parks and recreation in Ohio,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “These programs and projects are changing the lives of people around the state and building better communities in Ohio.”
When the independent Hithergreen Senior Center prepared to close in 2015, senior programming was given a permanent home in renovated space at the Rec West Enrichment Center. The long-term result has been sustainable programming that encompasses physical, cultural and social enrichment, officials said.
The transition couldn’t have happened without the support of Centerville/Washington Township residents, according to Mark Metzger, recreation facilities director. He said residents in May approved the first levy increase in the 30-year history of the rec center.
“The levy was placed on the ballot in large part to support the successful transition of senior services, so in a very real way, this award recognizes the community’s role in providing high-quality recreation services to its seniors,” Metzger said.
He said the recreation department was fortunate to have the assistance of Cynthia Fraley, Hith- ergreen director, who oversaw the operational aspects of the project.
“Change always is a challenge, and she was at the forefront, communicating with Hithergreen members, listening to their concerns, and adapting programs to meet their needs in a new environment,” Metzger said of Fraley. The future of the former Hithergreen Center hinges on the Centerville-Washington Park District’s ability to secure grant funding to demolish the building and turn the property into a park.
Nick Meyer, planning and project manager for the park district, said if the grant does not come, the park district won’t move forward with the project.
The park district will find out Dec. 4 if it will be awarded the money from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund.
The total cost of the project, which would include the purchase and demolition of the former Hithergreen Center, as well as removal of asphalt on the property, would be $750,000, Meyer said. Meyer said 75 percent would be funded by grants and 25 percent would be funded by the park district.