In an effort to get Bellefontaine residents on board with a proposed levy increase for Bellefontaine Parks, the Parks District adopted the slogan ‘A New Era for Bellefontaine Parks.’ The voters approved the increase, and at their monthly meeting Tuesday night, the trustees heard how the plan is beginning to become a reality.
In his report, Superintendent Kris Myers updated the trustees that the fall soccer season is wrapping up, with the U9 and U11 tournaments being held recently. Myers said that flag football has two weeks left in the season, while the tackle football program will continue for another month. He said that basketball and wrestling registrations are ongoing.
He also reminded the trustees that the annual Ring of Lights is planned for October 18, beginning at 7:30 PM. The program, designed for children in pre-K through second grade, averages approximately 500 children and nearly 1,000 total attendees. He reminded those who want to attend to park in the high school parking lot.
Turning to finances, Myers stated that expenditures are currently in line with the budget. He expects the recently approved levy addition will raise approximately $1.7 million in revenue, much of which has already been earmarked.
Myers also praised his maintenance crews, as they have done an excellent job keeping the various fields in good repair. He also praised the efforts of the volunteers who maintain the butterfly park and their work in keeping the park irrigated during the recent dry weather.
At Myreeah, the large dam is slated for inspection by ODNR inspectors tomorrow. The dam is scheduled for inspection every five years, and he expects to receive a report from the agency soon thereafter. Work on the log cabin at the preserve is expected to begin soon. The work, performed by the Logan County Land Trust, consists of chinking, or refilling the spaces between the logs after the old chinking was removed. The new material will allow the logs to expand and contract in response to changes in temperature and humidity.
Myers then updated the trustees about the Hoffman Pool at Rutan Park. The pool has been closed for the season, and he expects the bathhouse to be winterized soon. He informed the trustees that he would be requesting formal approval from them to hire MSA Sport in Columbus for the Hoffman Pool Design and Construction Administration later in the meeting. Myers talks about that process:
Finally, Myers updated the trustees on the status of projects at local parks:
- Harmon Park – Work at the park has been released for bids, with the closing date set for October 23, 2025, at 2:00 PM. At that time, the bids will be opened, and the process to select the best bid will begin. Myers talks about the improvements at Harmon Park, including public input meetings:
- Oakland Square – Myers said that excavation for the sidewalks and center pad is expected to start this week. Some equipment has already been installed, but no further work will be done until the new sidewalks are poured.
- Fred Carter Park – Myers said he has been in meetings with several individuals about possible improvements to the park, including the addition of a snow sledding hill. This would be accomplished by dredging the existing pond, allowing for material to be repurposed to make the hills. While still in the design phase, Myers expressed excitement about the possibilities.
- Pickell Ball Courts – The number of courts has expanded to eight fully equipped courts.
In the new business portion of the meeting, Myers asked the trustees to approve a temporary budget that will be submitted to the city council. This temporary budget will give the council an idea of where the Parks District expects to be. The motion was approved.
The trustees also approved the hiring of MSA Sport for the work at Hoffman Pool. If approved, he said that the city council must still approve the company to design and complete the job. The motion was approved.
Myers also requested board approval for an amount not to exceed $14,000 to outfit a recently purchased pickup truck with a six-compartment bed, allowing it to be integrated into the vehicle rotation. The board approved the expenditure.
He also informed the trustees that trustee Lynda Holycross informed him that she was resigning from the board. Holycross, an appointee by the Bellefontaine School Board, has served the parks board well, according to Myers. An offer has been extended to another individual; however, the appointment must be made by the school board at its meeting next week.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. That meeting will be held in the training room located in the basement of the municipal building at 7:00 PM.
