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Record of Proceedings

Green-Ohio Parks and Recreation Board Meeting - May 6, 2026

City Council & Boards — Wednesday, May 6, 2026
BodyGreen, Ohio
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateWednesday, May 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 31:43

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0:04

All right, good evening, everyone.

0:06

I'd like to call to order the May 6, 2026 Parks and Recreation Board meeting.

0:12

Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:17

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

0:22

To the repository for which it stands no nation undergone individual with liberty and justice for all.

0:34

Maybe please have the roll call.

0:37

Jennifer Foster here.

0:39

Michael Griggs?

0:40

Here.

0:40

Chrissy Cosmick?

0:42

Here.

0:42

Sean McDaniel.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Dan Pollock.

0:45

Here.

0:47

Thank you.

0:53

I had um as far as the minutes from the previous meeting, since I wasn't here for um like the approval and corrections of that.

1:07

I can't vote on that, correct?

1:09

Or I can't make a motion for that.

1:10

Yeah.

1:11

Okay.

1:12

So do we have any additions or corrections on the minutes from the meeting from April?

1:22

No.

1:23

Nope.

1:23

I'll make a motion to approve the April 1st meetings.

1:30

All right.

1:30

All in favor?

1:32

Aye.

1:32

Aye.

1:34

Any opposed?

1:36

And you can abstain.

1:38

I have to abstain as well.

1:39

I wasn't here.

1:40

Okay.

1:41

And I'll abstain as well.

1:45

Okay.

1:45

Minutes are approved.

1:47

Um it doesn't look like we have any citizen comments today.

1:54

So we will move forward to the administrative reports.

1:59

Um you guys can look at the staff report.

2:02

Mike's gonna go kind of over our next section of the master plan.

2:05

I did want to point out we did have a very nice Arbor Day celebration.

2:10

Um, if you haven't been over behind the you haven't been over behind the Veterans Park, basically Patriot Playground.

2:17

Um we have 25 new trees, they're beautiful.

2:20

They're bit I mean, they're big trees, so I think it's gonna fill out very nicely for the walking path.

2:26

So yeah, if you haven't had a chance to go over there, please do.

2:33

And right around the corner, our first event will be um in June.

2:36

So June 6th is our first movie in the park.

2:39

So I guess we'll have a meeting before that, but that's gonna be our first uh to kick off the summer.

2:48

With that, I don't know, Mike.

2:50

Do you want to go into the um do y'all have any questions on the staff report?

2:56

I'm looking forward to seeing the rail park plan once that's the concept plan once that's available.

3:03

Um, only question was on the um do we have a plan for the loss of the sports complex?

3:17

Do we have a plan?

3:20

No, Jennifer.

3:22

I know.

3:23

Um we knew this day was coming.

3:26

Yeah, well, and we're gonna we're gonna go, we're gonna watch it because the airport has done this before and pulled back.

3:34

But I mean, this is the first time I feel like it's pretty serious.

3:37

So we have planned ahead as much as we could by adding more fields whenever the opportunity presented us so that we wouldn't be in a really bad situation when it happens.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████71%
Procedural██████9%
Personnel Matters██████9%
Public Engagement███5%
Charter Review███4%
Arts And Culture█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Green-Ohio Parks and Recreation Board Meeting - May 6, 2026

The Parks and Recreation Board met on May 6, 2026, at 10:45 AM. The meeting was called to order with a Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call (members present: Jennifer Foster, Michael Griggs, Chrissy Cosmick, Sean McDaniel, Dan Pollock). The board approved the minutes from the April 1, 2026 meeting, with two members abstaining due to absence. No citizen comments were received. The meeting included administrative reports, a detailed update on the comprehensive master plan progress, discussions on the loss of the sports complex, charter review, and new business.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of April 1, 2026 Minutes: Motion to approve made and seconded. All present members voted aye, with two members (including Jennifer Foster) abstaining because they were not present at the April meeting. The minutes were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • None.

Discussion Items

Administrative Reports & Staff Update

  • Arbor Day Celebration: 25 large trees were planted behind Veterans Park (Patriot Playground) along the walking path.
  • Upcoming Events: First movie in the park scheduled for June 6, 2026, kicking off summer programming.
  • Sports Complex Loss: Staff reported that the airport is moving to reclaim the sports complex fields. The board noted this is the first time the threat appears serious. A meeting with baseball leagues was held; the spring season will be completed, fall is less problematic due to lower numbers. New ball fields are unlikely due to time and land constraints. Options being explored include lighting at East Liberty and Greensburg fields, and renting fields from the Methodist Church or other partners. The board acknowledged no full plan exists yet; reallocation of capital project funds may be discussed later.
  • Butler Park Path Improvements: The path is being resurfaced. Asphalt grinding is complete; paving expected by end of week or mid-next week depending on weather.
  • Rail Park Concept Plan: A revised concept plan is being developed after a site visit to address land contours. The park will remain natural and rustic with limited parking.
  • Memorial Day Parade Changes: Participants on moving vehicles must stay seated; candy throwing is prohibited (must be handed out). The car show is moving to Queen of Heaven to provide more space on paved surface.
  • Board Participation: The board discussed riding in a convertible or walking in the parade, and handing out flags or stickers instead of candy.

Comprehensive Master Plan Update (Presenter: Mike)

  • Aeris Park: Built a storage facility ($86,000) in 2020, shared by football, lacrosse, and parks. Two new football fields (2022) cost $467,863, funded by capital investment. The fields brought flag, tackle, and cheer to one location and freed space at Greensburg Park. Accessible pathways were included.
  • Greensburg Park: In 2024, purchased a home on Mastlin Road for $200,000 to expand a field and provide exit access. Two ball fields (2025) cost $1.7 million, including lighting, stormwater basin, and parking. New picnic tables and wayfinding signs are planned for 2026.
  • Creek Baum Park: New restroom building ($419,247) installed but not yet open; final inspection expected soon. The building is all concrete, delivered in two sections. The parking lot was paved. The board expressed satisfaction with the location matching the master plan.
  • Central Park: Shade sails installed at amphitheater (upper row only, cost not specified); artificial turf playground installed in 2021; park ID sign ($47,000); wayfinding signs planned for 2026. Improved sound and lighting bids did not meet requirements and will be rebid. Total investment since 2020 over $108,000. Shade sails for entire seating are planned for 2027 with state funding.
  • Recreation and Events: New junior Twisted Wilderfest, adult egg hunt (popular), amphitheater concerts and movies. Sponsorships are helping offset costs.
  • Dog Park and Leash Law: Staff emphasized dogs must be on a tethered leash (6 feet or shorter) per city ordinance. New state law (Avery's law) increases penalties for off-leash dogs causing issues.
  • Future Projects: Bike pump track still under consideration but likely not at Creek Baum Park due to space constraints. Rail Park will not accommodate such facilities due to limited parking and narrow parcel.

Charter Review Update

  • The charter review committee has accepted a revision to redefine the park board's role to better reflect actual duties. Funding changes are still being debated. Some members advocate eliminating the 7% capital funding requirement. Staff provided data on actual capital expenditures over five years to clarify that funds are used for equipment, trail repairs, and courts, not just land purchases. The next charter review meeting is scheduled for the following Wednesday at 5:30 PM. The board will be kept informed.

New Business

  • Personnel Change: Scott Robbins, Park Supervisor for five years, retired April 30, 2026. Brian Klinger promoted to Supervisor effective May 1. Brian has 12 years with the city, passed a civil service exam and assessment, and is attending the Public Service Institute of Ohio.
  • Art Installations in Parks: The city posted conceptual art installations on social media. The board was informed that any installations in parks will require board discussion and approval. The concept is still early and subject to funding.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: April 1, 2026 meeting minutes approved with two abstentions.
  • Master Plan Update Received: Staff presented progress on capital projects across multiple parks. No formal votes were taken.
  • Sports Complex: No immediate plan; staff will continue exploring alternative fields and lighting. The board acknowledged potential capital reallocation will be discussed at the capital projects process.
  • Charter Review: Continued monitoring; board will receive updates as recommendations develop.
  • Sound/Lighting Rebid: Project at Central Park will be rebid after initial bids were non-compliant.
  • Park Supervisor Transition: Promotion of Brian Klinger effective immediately.
  • Art Installations: Board will be consulted before any park installations are approved.
  • Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is expected before the June 6 event; no specific date set.
  • Motion to Adjourn: Passed unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening, everyone. I'd like to call to order the May 6, 2026 Parks and Recreation Board meeting. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the repository for which it stands no nation undergone individual with liberty and justice for all. Maybe please have the roll call. Jennifer Foster here. Michael Griggs? Here. Chrissy Cosmick? Here. Sean McDaniel. Here. Dan Pollock. Here. Thank you. I had um as far as the minutes from the previous meeting, since I wasn't here for um like the approval and corrections of that. I can't vote on that, correct? Or I can't make a motion for that. Yeah. Okay. So do we have any additions or corrections on the minutes from the meeting from April? No. Nope. I'll make a motion to approve the April 1st meetings. All right. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? And you can abstain. I have to abstain as well. I wasn't here. Okay. And I'll abstain as well. Okay. Minutes are approved. Um it doesn't look like we have any citizen comments today. So we will move forward to the administrative reports. Um you guys can look at the staff report. Mike's gonna go kind of over our next section of the master plan. I did want to point out we did have a very nice Arbor Day celebration. Um, if you haven't been over behind the you haven't been over behind the Veterans Park, basically Patriot Playground. Um we have 25 new trees, they're beautiful. They're bit I mean, they're big trees, so I think it's gonna fill out very nicely for the walking path. So yeah, if you haven't had a chance to go over there, please do. And right around the corner, our first event will be um in June. So June 6th is our first movie in the park. So I guess we'll have a meeting before that, but that's gonna be our first uh to kick off the summer. With that, I don't know, Mike.

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