Ottawa County asking for people's input on improvements for public parks
PORT CLINTON - Since accepting the position of executive director of the Park District of Ottawa County last year, Jannah Wilson has led the county’s pursuit of better outdoor recreational opportunities. Now she is working with the park district board and the City of Port Clinton to transform city parks.
The first step, which began during a Nov. 30 open house at The Arts Garage, is to gather public opinion on the project, the Port Clinton Recreational Amenities Plan.
The open house featured Jeremy Hinte of OHM Advisors (Orchard, Hiltz and McCliment, Inc.), who gave a slide-show presentation on the Amenities Plan and its many possibilities, which include adding recreational opportunities and esthetic features to parks. Options include a beachfront pirate playground, art sculptures, swing seating, or anything else the public suggests.
Park district, city ask citizens to fill out survey
The first step in the process of implementing the improvement project is determining what the public wants to see at their parks. The key tool to gathering public opinion is an online survey that be found here: ohmplanning.typeform.com/PCAmenities. Port Clinton Mayor Mike Snider said he hopes everyone who utilizes the parks will fill out the survey, whether they are local residents or summer tourists.
“Right now, OHM is in the midst of the information-gathering phase of the project. Once there is a better understanding of the wants and needs of the citizens with respect to park amenities, then they will look at our existing infrastructure in and around the parks and determine what is needed and the feasibility of making it happen,” Snider said. “Here is where the cost component makes an appearance. From there, it’s figuring out the city’s ability to capture funding to make things happen.”
The park district hopes to utilize the project to connect parks to multi-use trails in development throughout Ottawa County.
Park board eyes transportation components of plan
“The park board is specifically interested in the active transportation components of the plan and how it could dovetail with other active transportation routes in planning stages throughout Ottawa County,” Wilson said. “It’s also exciting to evaluate the many possibilities for the park areas in the City of Port Clinton and how improvements could expand outdoor recreation opportunities in the area.”
Michelle Reiter of Port Clinton, who attended the open house, shared Wilson’s feelings on the project.
“It’s very exciting. I love anything that’s new,” she said.
Reiter hopes the project will add a dog park, among other amenities.
“We want a dog park we can walk to,” she said. “I like a lot of the ideas, including having concerts at Waterworks Park. We could have shows by the lake.”
Lynn James, who also attended the open house, was impressed with the project leaders’ desire to give a voice to the public.
“I love the interaction, that they are actually wanting to know what people want. They know something is needed. They just want to know what is needed,” James said.
James was grateful for the chance to learn about the possibilities presented by the project.
“I was really interested in the swing seating, and I love the farmers’ market pavilion — that’s great. I love the sculpture idea,” she said. “I’m very much for the parks. I really liked the presentation. It was very informative.”
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Survey seeks public input for ways to improve parks in Ottawa County
