Canal Fulton officials: 'There is potential' for great things at community park
CANAL FULTON – The city is close to finishing a new walking path in the community park, leaving city officials eyeing the next steps to develop the 27-acre park.
Crews from G6 Infrastructure of Maumee have been working on the 10-foot wide limestone path. Officials would like to someday blacktop the path.
Mayor Joe Schultz said residents are already taking advantage of the walking trail which offers "some pretty cool terrain," with hills and areas going in and out of the surrounding woods.
"When it's 90 degrees, you'll get some shade," he said.
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The nearly $250,000 project is funded from the state's last biennial budget.
A bridge was built to cross over a creek to the walking path from Brookview Avenue.
The bridge, the mayor said, connects the Colonial Hills development, which has about 400 homes, to city's downtown.
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Colonial Hills residents can cross Locust at Bob Street to Brookview, cross the bridge and access the walking path to High Street and make their way to the downtown area.
"That bridge was the whole linchpin in the connectivity concept," he said.
The city recently received word it will receive an additional $300,000 in state capital money. Now, city officials are trying to determine how to best spend that funding to enhance the recreational space.
Community Park has great potential
City Manager Dan Bucher Jr. said the possibilities are endless for the property.
"There is potential," he said. "Walking on the trail, you can see it. It's almost overwhelming how much we can do if done properly."
To fulfill those dreams, it will take money.
The state funding is great, but Bucher doesn't want to rely on the capital dollars.
"I don't want to be 100 years when we finish this," he joked.
As they continue to make plans for the property, officials also are seeking additional funding sources through grants and private donations.
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While definitive plans have not been made for the next phase of funding, Bucher said there are a lot of ideas on the table, including a splash pad and children's playground.
"I don't want to say that is what we are doing, but it is a priority," he said.
A master plan was developed in 2013 when the city secured the former Puffenberger property, located between the Schalmo Family YMCA, 976 Canal St. S, and the Eugene M. Fellmeth Safety Center at 1165 Locust St.
The plan did not include the YMCA and it was later updated around 2018, Bucher said.
Environmental Designs Group completed a comprehensive plan after seeking input from officials and residents about what they wanted to see in the park.
Bucher said at the top of the wish list were a walking trail and a splash pad.
Schultz would love to see the splash pad become reality but he knows the $300,000 state allocation will not get them very far. With a splash pad comes other needs, including infrastructure for water, electric and restroom facilities.
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The city's new Parks and Recreation Director Chris Bundy will begin his role July 11. The parks director will have a major role in the development of the park.
"I told him to start thinking about it," Bucher said. "The night I hired him, he saw the master plan and I am excited to see what ideas he has."
Bundy has served as recreation manager at Mill Creek Metro Parks for several years.
"This is one of the most important things he will spearhead," Bucher said. "It's a blank canvas. We just have to find the right pieces to put in there and make it a true community park."
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com
On Twitter: @aknappINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Canal Fulton mulling next step in developing city's community park
