MIDDLETOWN -- Rufus Trammell sat on an overturned bucket one recent steamy morning, slowly casting his fishing line out into the pond at Smith Park. Occasionally, he sipped from a cup of coffee or slid a wax worm on his hook as he talked about how happy he is the Middletown park is to get a major face lift.
The city plans a $324,000 renovation, partly paid for by a $204,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) NatureWorks grant, to upgrade the city's most popular park, said Ginger Smith, senior administrative assistant in Middletown's Public Works Department. Work begins later this year and is to be finished by the end of 1999.
"The $204,000 grant was the largest grant we've given in Butler County in the last four years -- the entire life of the NatureWorks program," said Mike Cook, administrator of the ODNR land management section.
Trenton gets $100,000 for park work and Liberty Township gets $12,704 to buy land and develop a trail.
In Warren County's Waynesville, an $86,000 grant will help develop a park, including constructing a gazebo and a parking lot, and Springboro's $23,679 award will be used for work on Clearcreek Park, Mr. Cook said.
Mr. Trammell said it's especially nice the 98-acre Smith Park work will include a special access area for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
"It sure would be good if they put in someplace where older folks can fish easier," said Mr. Trammell, 66.
"There's some places around here where there ain't no bottom. Could be dangerous for some folks."
The project at the park, built about 50 years ago, also includes:
Rehabilitating buildings that serve youth sports programs.
Sprucing up the two park entrances.
Resurfacing the popular fitness trails.
Extending the outer loop about 1.2 miles to link with the Bicentennial Commons Park on the Great Miami River.
Ira and Pat Bolin, who walk the trails every morning, were happy to hear that news.
"We really enjoy this park. It's great they're going to fix it up even more," Mr. Bolin said.
Walter Turner, a former professional middleweight boxer finishing his 3-mile run, agreed. The 62-year-old said the park is always busy.
Go to the park on almost any day, and it's easy to spot the activity: people in-line skating and bicycling, and mothers pushing children in strollers or watching them romp in the play area.
Some people walk their dogs, others run, jog or walk the trails -- stopping occasionally to watch the numerous ducks and geese that live at the park.
Smith is by far the most utilized of all 30 Middletown parks and playgrounds, Mrs. Smith said.
Thousands of youngsters play sports there annually, hundreds of families enjoy picnics there, and the annual events, including the fishing derby and car show, draw big crowds.
About 2,000 youths participate annually in sports: soccer, Peewee football and Knothole baseball.
The park is off of Main Street, north of Hook Field Municipal Airport.
While the city has upgraded the park in various ways over the past few years, "the grant money, along with the city's contribution, represents the most we've ever spent for a park upgrade in the past 20 years," Recreation Administrator Denise Bolton said.
Mr. Trammell is glad about the upgrades, but said he already enjoys the park as it is.
"I just come up here, put in time," he said.
"Sometimes I catch them, sometimes I don't. Don't matter to me. It's a good place to be."
