Residents Share Ideas For Improving Ross Township Parks

About two dozen people attended a public meeting Wednesday evening to give their say on how Ross Township parks should be improved.

 The meeting was the first of two public meetings organized by the Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Study committee, which is in the process of creating a longterm plan for updating the township's 23 parks.

"There is a lot of effort being given to economic development," said Parks and Recreation Director Pete Geis. "This could be the biggest." 

The township, which has more than 200 acres of dedicated park space, recently formed an 11-member committee to help create a long-term plan for updating the acreage.

Using a matching $25,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the township hired Pashek Associates, a consulting firm, to help develop the plan, which will also include strategies for paying for the improvements. The deadline for the report is Dec. 31, 2013. 

“We are not at a point where we are going to tell you what needs to happen,” said Bob Good, part of the Pashek Associates team, in a speech to the community Wednesday.

Instead, he stressed the importance of community input. The team has already received 500 responses from an online survey they put out to Ross Township residents.

The two dozen people who came to the meeting had plenty of ideas, ranging from a spray park to more accessible paths for seniors. Many residents presented the idea to make the parks more welcoming to the community as well as more family-oriented. 

“One thing I would like to see is to have Evergreen Park be dog-friendly," said Debbie Williamson. "I also think maintenance is a big issue.”

Other ideas included starting an inquiry into the safety of playground equipment and to improve the general quality of equipment.

“I think it went well,” said Beth Wisniewski, a member of the committee. “I think we had a good representation here, at least enough to get us going in the right direction. We have beautiful parks, but they need updated.”

“It was the first step,” agreed Tim Scherling, who proposed formulating a long-term maintenance plan for the parks.

“It’s something that the community needs.  Now I’d like to see what the township does with all these 50 plus ideas to try and consolidate them into useable ideas. That will be the key. Don’t let the momentum die.”

The second public meeting on the subject will be held in the fall. The exact date is still to be determined. 

To give your thoughts on Ross Township's parks and on improvements you'd like to see, visit the Ross Township blog at www.rossrecreation.blogspot.com or send an email to bgood5252@gmail.com.