Thursday, February 17, 2000
Park plans bandied about
Union Twp. aims to please
BY MICHAEL D. CLARK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
UNION TOWNSHIP — Skateboarders sat shoulder-to-shoulder with joggers, soccer moms and senior citizens at a crowded meeting Wednesday evening to gauge public opinion about Butler County's newest park.
More than 120 township residents squeezed into the administration building's meeting room to be part of the creation of a new park at the former Voice of America.
It was the first of two public meetings sponsored by township officials to collect public input on transforming a large portion of the 625-acre site into a multiuse recreational area that will meet the needs of the community.
Philip Rodarte, a 14-year-old skateboarder who lives across Tylersville Road from the VOA site, was happy to be welcomed at the meeting because it is a sensation he rarely experiences while skateboarding in his community.
“We get kicked out of a lot of places,” said Philip, referring to his eight skateboarding buddies who joined him at the meeting. “If we had a skate park, the businesses around here would appreciate it and it would keep a lot of kids from skating on the streets.”
Resident Dave Ostrander said the park, which will cover 330 acres, should be used to provide more soccer and baseball fields.
The father of three young children also favored a skate park, but especially wants to see a jogging track.
“I'd like to see a Rollerblading path, too, and a BMX bike course. Passive space, like a nature area, is OK, but I'd like to see as much active park space as possible,” Mr. Ostrander said.
“People around here are talking about this all the time. What's nice about Union Township is that they listen to you.”
Listening to the public is one of the main goals of the public meetings scheduled through June, when a final park design will be unveiled, said Bill Zerkle, township director of parks and recreation.
Township Administrator David Gully cautioned the audience, “We are not going to be able to meet every single need ... but we want to make you happy.”
Officials from the park design firm Human Nature Inc. said recent focus-group meetings have helped to narrow some preliminary features likely for the park, which is tentatively scheduled to open in three years.
These include: soccer, baseball, football and lacrosse fields; walking paths; exercise stations; shelters and picnic areas; a dog-park area; tennis courts; playgrounds; a skate park; a performance amphitheater; wildlife habitat and wetlands; and a lodge or community building.
The next public meeting is to be in early May.
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