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Trail, pavilion eyed for new village park
(by Sali McSherry - December 02, 2009)
Trail, pavilion eyed for new village park
By SALI McSHERRY
A scenic walking trail and a pavilion are among the recommendations for a 4.6-acre property at Hiram Trail and SOM Center Road (Route 91) that is owned by the Village of Moreland Hills.
The consensus of the village parks commission is to use the property as a passive park, according to chairman Daniel Fritz.
Mayor Susan C. Renda said she will send out a survey in the first quarter of 2010 to give residents an opportunity to make suggestions, and a public hearing will follow that.
Parks commission members unanimously agreed that the property should not be overbuilt or overdeveloped, Mr. Fritz said.
The commission had been considering four options for the property: building a park with paved walking trails; preserving the land; selling the land; or letting it lie dormant to await possible future improvements to the intersection.
Village Engineer Jeffrey Filarski said a quarter-mile trail could be built from the existing fireplace on the property to the pond, which could serve as the centerpiece. The cost would be minimal for paving a trail, which could be extended east toward Hiram Trail, he said.
Village Council President Robin Cooper said she'd like to have a short paved walking trail built around the pond, with native grasses, flowers and trees on the property. She also suggested starting a community garden of perennials or a rain garden.
Russell Grundke, executive director of Hiram House Camp, which is across the street from the property, said he'd like to see walking paths and fishing in the pond. He said he likes the idea of a community park but has some concerns about traffic at the corner.
Northbound drivers on SOM Center Road are not permitted to turn left onto Hiram Trail, and drivers heading east on Hiram Trail are not permitted to turn left on SOM Center Road. There has been a proposal to relocate Hiram Trail to the south, which would bisect the property.
As conversations develop, Mr. Fritz said, the access issues that Mr. Grundke brought up would need to be addressed.
Councilwoman-elect Monica Sturgis agreed that the property, which is a gateway to the village, should be used as a place for residents to enjoy nature. She said special attention should be paid to neighboring residents' privacy and suggested building a fence on the south and west borders for that purpose.
Commission member Franzetta Turner said she'd like to see a pavilion with grills and a playground. As an example, she said cited a playground in Shaker Heights that looks like it was created out of logs and would fit with the natural beauty of the proposed park.
Mrs. Renda agreed with the commission's suggestions, including screening for neighbors, community garden, fishing, a pavilion, paved trails and recreation for children.
Mr. Fritz said he's in favor of a walking trail and using the pond by offering fishing lessons to resident children. He also suggested that sections near the trail could be used by local garden clubs. He said he's undecided about a playground and asked members to consider the pros and cons of building one at the proposed park.
Mr. Filarski recommended building two parking lots on the property, including a main lot off Hiram Trail with 10 to 20 parking spots and a secondary lot off SOM Center Road with four to six spaces.
Since Hiram House Camp's parking lot is directly across the street, Mr. Grundke said, he is concerned that people would use the camp's lot to walk over to the park. There is no gate on the camp's parking lot, because employees go in and out at different times.
When asked if he has any overall concerns, village Service Director Ted DeWater said, as Moreland Hills continues to develop park properties, the manpower and equipment needed to maintain them should be considered. He said service employees have been mowing the grass, trimming trees and mulching leaves at the property. As more properties are developed, the village might consider designating a department for their maintenance, he said.
Mr. Fritz said commission members are invited to visit Bentleyville's village park to view the new pavilion there.
Building Commissioner Greg Potts presented the commission with several photographs of different pavilions for consideration. He said he would assist with building the pavilion and told the commission it would be more economical for the village to purchase a kit and built it in house.
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