The Pataskala City Council recently approved the placement of a .75-mill permanent levy on the November 2017 general election ballot for parks and recreation equipment, maintenance, and operation. If approved, the levy will cost a homeowner $26.25 for every $100,000 in property valuation.

There are 7 public parks located throughout the city. The parks and their locations are:

• Municipal Park – located at the intersection of Mill Street and Creek Road/Township Road. Municipal Park is probably best known as the location of the city pool. The park also has an asphalt walking trail, baseball field, shelter house, basketball court and playground equipment.
• Foundation Park – with access from McIntosh Road and also John Reese Parkway. This is the city’s largest, and most developed park. Foundation Park is best known as the location of soccer fields that are used by the youth soccer program. Foundation Park also includes three ball diamonds, basketball court, mulch walking trail, shelter houses and playground equipment. Foundation Park is also where the annual fireworks and the annual Antique Power Show are held.
• Karr Park – located behind the City Administration Building on Broad Street. This park has two shelter houses, playground equipment, and a volleyball court.
• Citizens Park – located off of Monarch Drive in the Glenbrooke subdivision. This is an underutilized park that has an open field and a pond.
• Liberty Park – located in the Taylor Glen subdivision on the west side of Taylor Road. This is also an underutilized park with only an open field and a pond.
• Freedom Park – located at the corner of Havens Corner Road and Taylor Road. Freedom Park includes a shelter house, an open field, and playground equipment. This, too, is an underutilized park.
• LEADS Center Park – located on Cleveland Road. This park is currently being renovated by a local non-profit organization. When complete, it will include a ball diamond and a soccer field.

The city is committed to using the levy revenue for hard improvements (equipment and other amenities) in the parks, and not for employee salaries. The city will supplement the levy funds with other money to cover the cost of park personnel. The hard improvements will include additions of equipment in underutilized parks to provide a more community friendly space. The levy funding will also go toward soft improvements and maintenance of existing park equipment and facilities.

Over the next several months, I will write about how the city does not have a dedicated revenue source for parks, what improvements will be made if the levy is approved, and other park related information.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Parks Levy Campaign Committee, please contact me at bjking@ci.pataskala.oh.us.

We look forward to your support of our parks and recreation programs.