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Chardon Township puts its name in new park
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - January 07, 2010)
Chardon Township puts its name in new park
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon Township's park committee was busy Monday picking a name for the new park, looking at ways to raise money and tapping other communities for information on park operations.
The committee, formed late last year, met for the second time to begin planning for the park at the southwest corner of Auburn and Mentor roads.
The park is in its early stages of developments with two ball fields, a walking path, a football-soccer field and a playground for ages 5 through 12. Most of the improvements to the 14-acre property, which was purchased in 2006, were done this past year.
Committee chairman Jim Schumann said one of the most important decisions was giving the park a name.
The five-member committee voted unanimously to name it Chardon Township Park, Rusnak Fields.
Including recognition of the Rusnak family was something discussed when the township was negotiating for the land, said township Trustee Michael Brown, who represents the trustee board at the committee meetings. He said officials agreed to give some recognition to family, which had operated apple orchards for generations on the property.
Although recognition was deserved, Mr. Brown said, the trustees did not believe the park should simply be named after the Rusnak family. He said the family did not donate the land to the township but got fair market value for it. He said $5,000 in inheritance taxes from the Rusnak family were used as part of the $240,000 purchase price.
Committee member Michael Doudican said it made more sense to name the park after the township, because most people would readily understand that the park is located in the township. Naming it after the Rusnaks may only make it more difficult for people to understand where the park is, he said.
Mr. Brown said the park is likely the only park the township will develop.
Mr. Schumann said he plans to talk to officials in Hambden, Munson, Russell and Concord townships to learn how they developed and operate their parks.
Committee members asked him to check on budgets, maintenance and what programs were most likely to be successful and those that may not.
The committee also looked at what fund-raising events may be used to offset costs of developing the park and maintaining it.
Committee member Amy Simmons, who has experience in grant writing, is expected to handle grant applications for the group.
The committee discussed selling memorial pavers to line the walking path between the two fields. Mr. Brown said there is a mile of pathway that could be used for pavers. Donations of trees and park benches, with recognition given to the donors, is another possibility, he said.
Mr. Brown said the township has already attempted to look to outside sources for funding. He said the township received a $5,000 grant from Cleveland Indians Charities after State Rep. Matthew Dolan, R-Russell, recommended the group. Mr. Brown said the township also sought the assistance of state Sen. Timothy Grendell, R-Chester, through the state budget. However, the state's financial troubles pushed the request for funding to the back for now, Mr. Brown said. He said Ohio Natureworks Grants may be able to provide some funding for smaller projects. He said the Cleveland Foundation may be another source.
Committee member Kirstan Markopoulos-Quinn an organization known as Lawyers Give Back, which provides charitable donations from unclaimed funds.
Mrs. Markopoulos-Quinn said a cookbook, pancake breakfasts, clambakes and candy sales also may be used as fund-raisers.
Maureen Cox, an alternate member to the committee, suggested the use of her business, Chip's Clubhouse, as a possible fund-raising venture. She said local football and baseball clubs have done well raising funds by hosting events at the miniature golf course in the city of Chardon.
Mr. Brown said it would serve the township and community well to try to use local businesses to supply needed materials at the park.
Mr. Brown also said it would be beneficial to try to establish relationships with local civic groups, such as Boy Scouts or gardening groups, who may undertake projects or maintain certain areas of the park.
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