LIMA — The mayor’s weekly news conference was held at Robb Park on Wednesday morning to showcase the improvements made during phase one of the four-year, $1 million park improvement project.
The committee started a strategic plan for the improvements by looking at the most used facilities tied together in a formula with the most out of date equipment at those facilities.
“This past spring, the Berger administration introduced legislation to council for a four-year parks improvement plan. Basically we are investing $1 million over the next four years into all of our city parks. Today is the public revealing of phase one of that at Robb Park,” said Sharetta Smith, Berger’s chief of staff. “This investment is $85,000 for this particular park.”
Robb Park, at 654 W. O’Connor Ave., was one the first parks to receive a face-lift. The improvements include a new play structure that includes swing sets, climbing features and an 8-foot zip slide.
“It’s often stuff that we grew up with over time, people have come back and redesigned and the engineers have come back with some new thoughts and so we were really eager to try some of that new equipment out, as it was recommended by our vendor.” said Ric Stolly, director of the Lima Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry.
One piece of new equipment includes an interactive swing for a young child and parent.
“It’s a swing designed where an adult and a young child can swing face to face. What companies and what research has found, sometimes little kids don’t want to get on a swing, but if they have a familiar face right across from them, it’s a little more reassuring that this will be OK,” Stolly said.
Other phase one improvements were completed at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center Park located at 400 East Eighth St. These improvements consisted of a $45,000 expansion of the play area, a three-bay swing set, a spinner and climber feature. The park was given improved drainage, new mulch and benches and is now Americans with Disabilities Act accessible.
Faurot Park, located at South Cole Street also received improvements to close out the total of phase one improvements valued at $215,000 in total park improvements for this year.
Phase two will begin after the first of the year and will include enhancements at Lincoln Park, located at 199 S. Shawnee St.
“The one at Lincoln will be more for challenged individuals that are special-needs with some of the new equipment that will go in at Lincoln on the east side,” Stolly said.
The goal of the enhancements is improving the parks for the entire community.
“Trying to improve the experience when people come and use the facilities,” Stolly said.
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