ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Thursday, October 19, 2006

By CHRIS BOURNEA
ThisWeek Staff Writer

A series of public forums last week gave residents one last opoportunity to give input on the city of Upper Arlington's parks and recreation strategic plan.

Earlier this spring, the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan Task Force convened an initial round of forums to gather input on how residents rate the current parks system and what amenities they would like to see added.

Having analyzed the data from the first round of forums and an online survey, the task force held last week's forums to prioritize short- and long-term goals for the parks system.

Some of the goals include: improved shelters and restrooms at parks, better field drainage, more outdoor basketball courts and an indoor swimming facility, a community service shuttle for older adults, and renovation or replacement the Senior Center, 1945 Ridgeview Road.

"Public support of these projects is going to determine whether they succeed or fail," task force member Joy Peterson told participants at an Oct. 12 midday forum at the Senior Center.

Byron Nolte, a 40-year Upper Arlington resident, cited the need for more meeting rooms and exercise space at the Senior Center.

"I think exercise is the most widely used activity in the center and it has less than half the space," Nolte said. "I wait in line for machines."

Nolte also cited the need for more bike paths and sidewalks in the community to increase the connectivity and promote physical fitness. Upper Arlington City Council is currently considering a proposal in which sidewalks would be added to at least one side of the street when major arterial and collector streets are reconstructed.

Nolte said there is a sidewalk on one side of his Kioka Avenue neighborhood, which increases safety.

"People who have kids make them ride their bikes on the sidewalk because they're safer," he said, "and I think they're right."

Andrew Kessinger, director of the Eagles Soccer Club, cited the need for more athletic fields, which was repeatedly mentioned by forum participants.

"If you look at Dublin, Worthington, Westerville, our field space is drastically under what other suburbs have," Kessinger said.

A recreational facility for youth not involved in school or private sports teams should also be a priority, said Robert Styduhar.

There is a need for a place where youth can go "to exercise, to be able to play ball with their friends," said Styduhar, the parent of a high school student. "They (currently) have to go outside of the community."

There is also a need for a community recreation center to serve all age groups, Styduhar said, but added that such a facility should not be paid for by a tax increase.

"I think there are some creative options we can look at that don't involve taxes," he said.

Senior Center member Ron Wigington said he believes parks and recreation improvements should be implemented gradually.

"We do them one at a time," he said, "when we have the resources to do it."

The task force is scheduled to present a draft of the strategic plan to city council by the end of the year. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (614) 583-5300 or visit www.ua-ohio.net.

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