HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — It's all about parks — new, old, with pools, without pools — and how to maintain and pay for them.

        Campbell County Fiscal Court and city administrators and mayors discussed a variety of wishes and needs regarding recreation Tuesday, but everyone agreed the bottom line is still how to fund new parks.

        The group discussed the contents of a county recreation master plan during Tuesday's meeting at the Campbell County Extension Center and heard from Pat Hoagland, an architect and director of recreation for Brandstetter Carroll, the Lexington-based company that developed the recreation master plan.

        “I think it's important that the county and the cities address how to take care of what they already have and then work on funding for new recreation facilities,” Mr. Hoagland said. “It's easier to sell a recreation referendum to the public if they know you have done a good job with the parks already in use.”

        The master plan, similar to those Brandstetter Carroll developed for Boone and Kenton counties and the city of Fort Thomas, outlines a “wish list” of new facilities, including three family aquatic centers —— one each in the north, central and southern portions of the county at a cost of $2.2 million each.

        It also presents plans for upgrading most of the county's existing parks, especially 900-acre A.J. Jolly Park, south of Alexandria.

        “A.J. Jolly Park isn't used nearly to the extent it could be,” Mr. Hoagland said. “By upgrading the park, ... it could be a draw from all over Northern Kentucky.”

        Campbell County Judge-executive Steve Pendery said he considers the recreation report “a prescription for us to do something soon. The opportunities to obtain land .. will be gone before long.”

        He agreed the most important issue is how to pay for new parks over the next 15-20 years.

        A Brandstetter Carroll parks and recreation status report shows that none of the three Northern Kentucky counties spends even close to the state median amount per citizen for parks and recreation. The state median is $34-$42, while Campbell County averages $19.50, Boone County $14 and Kenton County $17.12.

        Fort Thomas City Administrator Jeff Earlywine said he wanted to look for ways to partner with the county on new facilities, rather than duplicate services and expenses.

        The city and county officials agreed to meet again March 26.

        E-mail tflynn@enquirer.com
       

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