City featuring new, old programming for 2017

The city is launching new youth tennis programming for ages 10 and under as well as for youth ages 11-17.

Avon Parks and Recreation Director Diane Corrao said the city is featuring programming old and new in preparation for the summer.

The city is launching new youth tennis programming for ages 10 and under as well as for youth ages 11-17 on Tuesdays and Thursdays through July 13. The tennis programs will take place at the Avon High School tennis courts located at 37545 Detroit Road.

The city is partnering with Mary Herrick, a certified elite professional through the US Professional Tennis Association.

Corrao said the season will conclude with a tournament and the city is very excited to be able to offer residents something new.

Additionally, Corrao said Avon is working with community organizations on multiple projects including regular floral hanging in French Creek and the Avon Garden Club is initiating a city cleanup effort about once per month.

The city is still in the process of developing an inclusive playground next to the Avon Aquatic Center in a volunteer-driven effort which seeks to connect multiple parks in the area.

The city has applied for a $50,000 grant from the Lorain County General Health District which could be matched by the city in the form of infrastructure construction.

City officials hope the playground’s design will incorporate the natural surroundings as well as providing innovative access to individuals with special needs with the goal of allowing children of all ages to play together without barriers. The project is a collaboration between the city and local businesses and community groups, including the French Creek Foundation, the Christian Heritage Assembly of God, FlavorSeal and the Avon branch of the Lorain Public Library system.

In January, Mayor Bryan Jensen said in moving forward he hopes to work with Lorain County Metro Parks in order to connect different parks in the area and acquire more land in order to expand. He stressed the city is not opposed to working with private stakeholders in addition to professional builders and developers in expanding Avon’s public parks and recreation infrastructure priorities.

“We are hoping that once we get this piece in place we can connect the parks and get a bigger area,” Jensen said.

The city is actively seeking more community partners and the project is expected to break ground sometime over the summer as it progresses through Avon City Council.

Avon will be holding a number of other events through the spring and summer, including the Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival June 16-18 at Veterans Memorial Park, 3701 Veterans Memorial Parkway.

The 14th edition of the Duck Tape festival is expected to bring over 60,000 people to the area, and since 2004 more than 500,000 people have come to the area to enjoy the festivities, according to spokesperson Tammy Harte in a statement.

Avon Council-at-Large member Tammy Holtzmeier is encouraging residents to celebrate Independence Day on July 4 by taking in the second annual Great Avon Bike Parade.

Holtzmeier said last year’s event featured more than 200 riders and an even bigger turnout is expected for 2017.

The one-mile route will start and end at the Avon Aquatic Center and is open to riders of all ages and abilities.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Northgate Park at 2155 Eaton Drive is one of the locations in Avon to receive equipment upgrades over the past year. As the city prepares to upgrade more public park infrastructure at Schwartz Road Park and with the allinclusive playground project...