Some City Council members aren’t too happy about the state of local parks, but a levy on the November ballot could bring improvements
A couple of parks in Athens just aren’t living up to city officials’ standards — though a tax levy on this November’s ballot could change that.
During a July city council meeting, Councilwoman Jennifer Cochran, D-at large, and Councilwoman Michele Papai, D-3rd Ward, expressed concern that West State Street Park and Southside Park weren’t as well maintained as other well-used recreation spots in city limits. Both parks were noted for their poorly maintained restrooms — each are missing bathroom stall doors.
But funding to renovate these parks could stem from a proposed 0.1 percent income tax rate increase, meant to benefit the city’s Arts, Parks and Recreation Department.
The levy was approved for November’s ballot over the summer, and, if passed, would go toward facilitating change at local parks and building a new swimming pool at the Athens Community Center.
“The levy itself would go into cleaning up all of our parks,” said Andrew Chiki, assistant director for Arts, Parks and Recreation.
Southside Park hasn’t seen renovations for several years, Papai said, although a nearby park recently had new playground equipment installed.
“The concern I hear from most people is that it’s not a good reflection on our community,” Papai said, who is the mother of Will Drabold, The Post’s campus editor.
Debbie Walker, clerk of city council, said that Southside Park has been neglected because of the low amounts of foot traffic it receives.
“People like to use it as an overflow (for the Eastern half),” Walker said. “The shelter house is sometimes used for picnics.”
West State Street Park, located just east of the Hocking River, also needs repairs.
Papai said that the restroom conditions at West State Street Park were especially concerning, considering how much foot traffic the park receives.
During the summer, the Athens Sandlot Baseball League holds youth games at the park every weekend, Papai said, which often draw in visitors from across the county.
Because the baseball league is bringing traffic to West State Street Park, it’s important that the city repay the favor, Papai said.
“It’s a public service benefit,” she said. “And when our bathrooms look the way they do, what does that say about our city? It needs to be something that (city council needs to put in their) line items to repair.”
Some pieces of playground equipment at West State Street park could be updated as well, possibly with the proposed levy money.
“We’re proud of our parks and public spaces,” Walker said. “We’re hoping that with the new levy we’ll be able to put some funds into more than just a new swimming pool.”
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