Canton Parks and Recreation shares final vision for western park corridor
CANTON − The city's western park corridor could be even better, according to a master plan from MKSK, a planning, urban design and landscape architecture firm.
MKSK, which also worked on Centennial Plaza, presented the final version of its plan Tuesday during the Canton Parks and Recreation meeting at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
About 20 people attended the meeting where Canton Planning Director Donn Angus summarized the proposal to enhance the area from Stadium Park in the north to West Park in the south. In addition to creating a framework for the city to follow, a master plan typically is needed to seek grants and funding from various governmental and community organizations.
"That's why this plan is so important," Angus said.
There was no total dollar figure mentioned during the presentation, but Canton Parks and Recreation Director Doug Foltz said the existing 5-mill levy will not increase. It generates about $3.6 million a year for Canton Parks and Recreation.
"We're not asking the public to contribute anything more for it," Foltz said.
The park board in 2021 hired MKSK to create an improvement plan for the parks from Stadium Park in the north to West Park in the south. The three members at the time — John "J.R." Rinaldi, Maureen Austin and Joseph Gerzina — approved $25,000 for the study and planned to seek additional funding from local foundations.
Austin's park commission term ended in December. Fonda Williams, the city's former deputy mayor, recently was appointed by the mayor to fill the vacancy. He was not at Tuesday's meeting because of a work conflict, Rinaldi said.
MKSK Principal Matt Manda and Associate Cullen Meves provided an early version of their plan in April 2022 and returned Tuesday for the final presentation, which will be posted to cantonparksandrec.com in the coming week.
Canton eyes renovation plan for Timken Gatehouse
It suggests clearly marked entryways to parks, a pedestrian railroad crossing near the John Barker Spring House, and additional recreation opportunities ― such as a rock climbing wall at West Park and mountain biking trails in Stadium Park. The different parks will have focus areas like sports, history, events and dining.
The dining would occur at a renovated Timken Gatehouse, which once led to the Timken mansion north of 12th Street NW. Returning the long-vacant building to use was one of the short-term goals outlined.
"The gatehouse, it depends on what the final plan's going to be, as far as the funding," Foltz said in response to a question about the cost and timeline of projects. "We do have money set aside, at least a half million dollars through our current budget to start that gatehouse renovation."
He said Canton Parks and Recreation also received a $250,000 grant through the state capital budget and will discuss volunteer options and fundraising with the newly created Friends of the Parks group.
Angus also said the planned improvements will "evolve over time with funding."
Residents react to Canton park study
Colleen Harris, who lives in the West Park neighborhood, said she's followed the park plans since last year.
"Some of the specifics were new, but it looks good," she said.
Harris frequently visits city parks with her family and said she's happy to see the park board invest in them. She is particularly excited about a potential restaurant at the gatehouse.
Lisa DeMeo, who lives across from Stadium Park, said she also looks forward to a renovated gatehouse. It was her first time hearing about the plans, and she said they align with the city's overall efforts to attract and retain residents.
"I think it's an exciting vision for the parks," DeMeo said.
Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.comOn Twitter: @kbyerREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton Parks and Recreation shares final plan for western parks
