Park and Recreation Board quiet on proposed downtown park

The city of Findlay's Park and Recreation Board met on Monday for the first time since November and discussed trail work and new restrooms for city parks, but was silent on the proposed downtown park. The board recommended many of the amenities proposed for the park. Legislation is expected to be introduced to Findlay Council today that would transfer land parcels associated with the second phase of river benching in Findlay's downtown from the Hancock County Board of Commissioners to the city. Designed to exist within the Blanchard River's flood zone, the park, known as the "Downtown North River Development Project," would include a skate park, gardens, shelter houses, picnic areas, a "playable" fountain area and an amphitheater, built along the second set of benches to be dug into the Blanchard River. A total of 71 parcels are being transferred in the agreement with the county commissioners, including properties on North Main Street, Clinton Court, Jefferson Street, Taylor Street, Meeks Avenue, Meeks Court and North Cory Street. The second set of benches will be built along the north side of the river, from the Main Street bridge to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway overpass at East Main Cross Street. The first set, a $6.1-million project, cut benches into the north riverbank for about 3,500 feet between the Norfolk Southern railroad bridge and Broad Avenue. The city has already taken ownership of the land included in the first round of benching. Construction of the second set of benches could begin this year. The benches are meant to increase the river's capacity during floods. The Park and Recreation Board approved minutes from its November meeting on Monday, which did give more details on the proposed downtown park. All of the amenities included in the park will be designed to be flood tolerant. The lower level will be built to accommodate flooding at least once per year. A higher level will be designed to withstand a five-year flood event. Plans also include developing a dog park at Anchor Park on East Street. Council meets at 6 p.m. today at the Findlay Municipal Building, 318 Dorney Plaza. Council meetings are open to the public and are live-streamed on the city's YouTube channel, Findlay Ohio. Finalizing the land transfers along the river could further discussions about a new downtown park. Findlay City Council's Appropriation Committee has asked city administrators to secure, at minimum, a draft agreement from the commissioners to turn over riverfront property needed for the park project, including Civitan Park, 100 Taylor St. Mayor Christina Muryn has asked the committee for $1.3 million to begin design work on the park. City officials have balked at the price tag, however, with early estimates putting the cost somewhere between $10 million and $40 million. Other business In other business on Monday, Jeremy Kalb, city engineer, gave an update to the Park and Recreation Board on the Greenway Trail extension and the new restrooms being built at city parks. Work is now underway on the $2.7 million extension of Findlay's Greenway Trail. The extension will start at the existing Greenway Trail on East Main Cross Street and will extend to the east towards the County Road 236 shared-use path. The project is being funded by a $2.2 million grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation, with the city to pay the balance. The contract for the project was awarded to Helms & Sons Excavating Inc., Findlay. Community Development Block Grant funds are being used to pay for the construction of new restroom facilities at Rawson Park and Swale Park. The Rawson Park facility is expected to cost about $325,000. The Swale Park facility is expected to cost about $375,000.