News

Apr 20, 2023

Perry Village aiming to acquire new playground equipment for Lee Lydic Park

Perry Village government leaders are considering various ways to secure funding

Perry Village government leaders are considering various ways to secure funding that is needed to purchase new playground equipment at Lee Lydic Park.

That topic was discussed at Village Council's May 11 meeting.

Mayor James Gessic kicked off the conversation when he reported that Council President Jean Schonauer had conducted research on an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant which can be used to enhance public outdoor recreation sites.

Schonauer said NatureWorks grants can reimburse up to 75 percent of the cost of outdoor recreation projects planned by local government entities in Ohio.

"Playground equipment is one of the eligible expenditures for the grant," she said.

However, Schonauer said that a NatureWorks grant wouldn't come close to covering the cost of replacing all playground equipment at the park.

In fact, in this latest funding cycle, ODNR is making a total of about $30,000 available to Lake County. To put that total in perspective, Gessic said that when he got three quotes last month for replacing the park's playground equipment, each proposal was in the vicinity of $165,000.

The park also includes a swingset.

Schonauer said she wondered if it would feasible to replace the park's playground in sections, over a longer time frame.

"Every year, apply for (NatureWorks grant) money, and if we get it, then we add to the playground," she said.

But Schonauer said the village wasn't in a good position to seek grant money from this program in 2023. She said the grant application is lengthy and requires very specific information about the proposed project, which the village hasn't pulled together yet.

"The application is due June 1 and it's too late right now," she said. "But it might be food for thought for next year."

Other ideas brought up during the meeting to generate money for new playground equipment included:

• Seeking a large financial donation from a major health care provider.

• Requesting contributions from two companies that are building homes in the village's newest subdivisions. Ryan Homes is the builder for the Hidden Village project; while K. Hovnanian is constructing houses in the Booth Farm development.

• Applying for grants that cover the cost of playground apparatus designed specifically for people with physical disabilities.

• Launching a capital fundraising campaign in which individuals and businesses are invited to make donations for the acquisition of new playground equipment.

Gessic said the village needs to discuss and decide upon about the design for an updated playground.

"I’d like to have some ideas: What do we need (at the playground), what do we want there, what are our expectations?" he said.

Councilwoman Becky Shimko stressed the importance of surveying people outside of village government.

"What about asking the community?" she said. "A lot of us on council don't have small children who use the playground."

Councilman Rick Walker said Facebook might provide the best and quickest way to solicit suggestions.

"It might not be a bad idea to go to the Perry Ohio Community Page and ask," he said.

Village government temporarily shut down the climbing playset in August 2021 after some defects were found in a spiral slide and it was determined it would be too expensive to replace.

A new gate was installed where the slide used to be, and the playset reopened in 2022.

The village also added the recommended amount of mulch around the swingset and climbing playset to provide proper shock absorption and protection for children if they fall while playing.

As another protective measure, the village installed a playground edging border — consisting of durable plastic panels held down by metal pins — to contain the mulch around the swingset and climbing playset.

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