Pat Ellis, president of the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District (BJRD) board of trustees, started their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 9, with good news.
“The final election results came in this afternoon, and it passed,” he proclaimed.
Ellis was referring to the parks tax levy, which was on the March 19 ballot. The final numbers: 806 votes for the measure; 791 against it. This was their second attempt after the levy failed by 106 votes during the November 2023 election.
“We’re so elated we finally got this,” Ellis said. “Now we have to go to work and make it happen.”
The funds, which they won’t start collecting until July, will allow the BJRD to move forward with the projects on its 2023 survey-based master plan. According to Ellis, they’ll start with major improvements to Harmon Field. In a few years, they hope to replace the 55-year-old Hoffman pool, which is deteriorating.
Without the levy, the BJRD would have had to consider shutting down some of the town’s 17 parks.
To find out more about the master plan, visit bellefontaineoh.myrec.com.
On a more timely topic, Kris Myers, parks superintendent, updated the board on the eclipse events of Monday, April 8.
“Wow, was that a cool day yesterday,” Myers began.
In his report, Myers stated they had 200 to 250 cars at Southview park, with most bringing three or four people to witness the total eclipse. At the Myeerah Nature Preserve’s event, that number of vehicles increased to over 250. Other parking areas were also full, like the lot at Hoffman pool.
Besides the impressive turnout, Myers commented on the great atmosphere throughout the crowds. He described it as an “awesome environment,” adding, “We were equipped for Eclipse-ageddon, but people were so kind and so helpful. It was a breath of fresh air.”
Thanks to the ideal spring weather, Myers said the department was able to do some mowing and other work that morning, before the visitors arrived.
Tammy Fowler, trustee board vice president, thanked Myers for the nice job he did “speaking on behalf of the community” in a channel 2 news interview about coming Bellefontaine parks for the eclipse. You can find that video at wdtn.com.
In other board action:
- The Chieftain Run Club is “off and running,” according to Myers. This new program, which is for third through fifth grade students, started meeting two days a week on March 18 at Bellefontaine Intermediate School. They’ll finish the season with a 5K fun run at Blue Jacket Park on Sunday, May 5.
- Youth baseball and softball seasons are underway, with practices beginning this week. But an unfortunate turn of events put the baseball travel and rec teams in the same league. It’s something Myers plans to fix next year, but by the time the current schedule was finalized, it was too late for the 2024 games.
Still, “our numbers are not in a bad place,” Myers said. “They’re not where they used to be, but we’re seeing kids coming back.”
- Other registrations are now open, including pool swim lessons, plus soccer and football teams. You can purchase pool passes at this time as well.
- Darran Conley has been hired as the new cemetery and park maintenance supervisor. He has already started on a 120-day probationary period, then will fill Jon Mathys’ shoes when he retires this summer. Conley, a lifelong farmer, has experience working at Indian Lake State Park, among other qualifications.
- Trustee Joliece Reed expressed concern about vandalism to a bathroom at Mary Rutan park. Myers said it has already been repaired, but added, “It’s a constant struggle.” They plan to put up cameras at the end of the building, facing the entrance.
- Bruce Smith from the Logan County Land Trust (LCLT) addressed the board about the LCLT’s investment in preserving the Myeerah log cabin. “We have $10,000 plus $5,000 for overruns,” Smith said, “so we’re financially committed.”
Myers said the department has over $32,000 to go toward Myeerah projects, including the cabin. Their work goals for 2024 would be to finish the log work and add a new roof and gutters. The new roof alone will cost $13,000.
Trustee Keyne Strickland asked what the end goal was for the property. Myers stated the history of the former Girl Scout cabin was worth maintaining. Smith’s report claims it could be used as an event center and a vacation rental.
The board plans to study the information provided by Smith, then will make a decision on the project at the May meeting.
- Ellis asked for updates on three projects:
- The department is working on finalizing grant contracts for widening and paving the Blue Jacket walking path. They expect that to happen by the end of June.
- Myers informed the board that new tennis court lights had been installed but were not correct. They’ve ordered the right ones, which are on the way.
- With regard to security cameras, Myers is finding the cost prohibitive. “We need to figure out a web-based camera, but they’re so expensive,” he admitted.
- Robert May, a Bellefontaine resident whose children are on some of the parks department sports teams, expressed frustration over the obstructed view when they attend basketball games at Bellefontaine Elementary School. He asked the board to consider moving games to the intermediate school.
Myers said they need to go with the gyms available to them on Saturday mornings, since that’s when the games are held. “What we’ve heard from parents is they want to be done by noon on Saturdays.”
May, however, said he felt parents would prefer being able to see the games better. Myers offered to look into other options.
The next BJRD board of trustees meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. in the Bellefontaine city council meeting room at 135 N. Detroit Street.
The Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District board of trustees conducted their Tuesday evening meeting in the lodge at Myeerah Nature Preserve. They’ll be back in the Bellefontaine City Council meeting room in May. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)