Portage County – The Portage Park District has launched a Comprehensive Parks Master Plan project to guide the District and its use of levy funds over the next ten years. Led by planning consultant Brandstetter Carroll, Inc., the Master Plan project will seek public input through a variety of ways to determine the needs and opportunities for parks, trails and programs across the county. The project will also involve the creation of conceptual park plans to identify appropriate uses and facilities for over 1,000 acres of Park District lands in nine areas that have not yet been opened to the public.
The Park District is offering several ways throughout the 9 month planning period for the public to stay in touch with the process and ask questions, add ideas, give feedback on proposed plans, and participate in planning hikes and public meetings. Notices will be made in the newspaper, on its Facebook page, in the park newsletter and in an online interactive forum, linked from the Park District website.
The project will be introduced in two public workshops: Monday July 27th at 7:00 pm at the Shalersville Town Hall 9124 State Route 44, Mantua, and Tuesday July 28th 7:00 pm at the Portage County Gardener’s Center, 5154 S. Prospect St., Ravenna. The format of the workshops will be very simple and ask participants to identify what they do and do not like about Portage Parks, and what kinds of parks, facilities and programs they would like to see in the future.
Public meetings focused on specific areas of interest will also be held at 705 Oakwood St. Ravenna. The public is invited to attend any or all of the following:
Monday July 27, 2015
12-1:00 Anglers and Hunters
1-2:00 Paddlers
2-3:00 Hikers and Walkers
3-4:00 Cyclists
4-5:00 Equestrians
Tuesday July 28, 2015
9-10:00 Seniors
10-11:00 Handicapped Accessibility
2-3:00 Healthy Living
3-4:00 Social Services
4-5:00 Community & Economic Development
Wednesday July 29, 2015
9-10:00 Scouting
10-11:00 Education
11-12:00 Gardening/Horticulture
1-2:00 Historic Preservation
2-3:00 Environmental Conservation
7-8-General Outdoor Recreation
The park district website includes links to an online survey and an interactive forum where one can post questions and comments and give feedback on park plans. To learn more about Portage Parks and how to get involved over the next several months, including participating in planning hikes at unopened properties, visit www.portageparkdistrict.org/masterplan or call 330-297-7728.
