The Trenton Park Board heard a report on a survey on recreational needs, agreed to allow the Green Hills Soccer Club use of park property for soccer practices and approved bids for new bleachers during a meeting Wednesday night at city hall.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
The Trenton Park Board heard a report on a survey on recreational needs, agreed to allow the Green Hills Soccer Club use of park property for soccer practices and approved bids for new bleachers during a meeting Wednesday night at city hall.
Results of a survey of middle school students, conducted by city officials at the request of Mayor Gary Hall, were shared with the park board and indicated that youth of that age group would like to see a movie theater, youth center and skating area available as recreational activities. Those three items comprised over 67 percent of the responses to the question as to what they feel is most needed in Trenton. A total of 272 students responded to the survey.
Of that total, 25.7 percent indicated their preference for a movie theater while the youth center drew 19.5 percent. Skating preferences drew 11.8 percent for an indoor area and 11.4 percent for an outdoor area. Other suggestions on the survey included skating rink, 10.7 percent; bowling, 9.6 percent; and soccer, 4 percent. There were 7.4 percent who gave no answer.
Administrative Assistant Rosetta Marsh said she felt the soccer numbers would be greater had elementary-age students been included in the survey.
The survey also specifically asked if students would like a skate park and if it would be used. A total of 59.7 percent said they would like the park and 73.4 percent said they would use it. There were 14.2 percent who said they didn?t want a skate park and 26.2 percent who said they wouldn?t use it, while 26 percent had no preference.
Mayor Hall, who was present at the meeting, asked the park board to consider construction of a skate park, pointing to the survey responses. Hall said the skating area might also be able to be used as a skating rink area during cold weather.
While the park board seemed to favor the idea, there were concerns expressed about costs and location as well as safety and liability issues. Members indicated that if grant funds could be made available or if an organization would like to take the park on as a project, the board would certainly take a closer look. It was noted that the park board had a 15-year plan in place and with construction of the new aquatic center as well as the park equipment replacement project, the board wants to be sure of the money situation before taking on any new projects.
It was suggested that a lot the city owns, just northeast of Burleigh Grimes Field to the west of Oklahoma Avenue might be a possible location for the skate area. Park Superintendent Jason Shuler said there were some drainage issues in that area that would have to be addressed before any construction could be done. Shuler said that if the park board does decide to build such an area, he wanted to make sure it was done right so that maintenance would not become a problem.
The park board agreed to allow the Green Hills Soccer Club use of a grassy area near the Rock Barn for soccer practices this spring, with a schedule to be worked out with other groups who use the area in the fall. Brad Tolson and Chad Davis, representing the club, indicated a flatter area than what has been used at Gladys Grimes Field was needed for the practices. It was noted that funding has been allocated for the Trenton soccer teams, which will allow them to purchase some new goals. Tolson and Davis both indicated they would like to see the park board continue their support of soccer in Trenton and noted that the park board and Shuler have been very helpful in the past. Tolson said he hoped the board could develop some soccer fields in the future to allow for games to be played at Trenton, rather than teams having to go to Chillicothe as they do now.
The board approved a bid from Fry and Associates to purchase four sets of bleachers for the Johnson/Griffin Field area. The cost would be $2,500 each, including delivery, with the money already in the budget. Shuler said that the old bleachers would continue to be used when additional seating is needed for other activities.
Shuler updated the board on progress at the aquatic center and said he felt that the project was still on track for a May 15 completion. He said that wet weather in September and the recent cold weather has delayed some work, but felt the pool can be open on time. He said that the stormwater project being done in conjunction with the pool work is moving forward, with work completed up to 18th Street with one catch basic installed around and adjacent to the entrance of Moberly Park left to install.
He also reported that the board would need to make decisions soon concerning lettering, plaque selection and signs for the pool, which members worked on following the end of the meeting. Decisions were also to be made concerning park equipment. Shuler said that when the weather clears up, work can be completed on the concrete pads for the new shelterhouses as well as installation of playground equipment.
City Councilman Steve Perry visited with the park board about a replacement for Kimbra Mullenix, who resided last summer. He asked members for their input as to what type of person they would like to see on the board and to forward the names of possible candidates to himself or the mayor.
The next meeting of the board is scheduled for Feb. 4.