LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- After years of complaints by parents, coaches, residents and users of city ballfields, Lakewood City Council is currently eyeing a twofold solution to make routine grounders less adventurous.
After introducing a resolution in June to officially delineate field responsibilities between the city and Lakewood City Schools, which runs recreational programs in the community, Lakewood City Council at Large Tom Bullock said last week the city started to make progress on the issue.
“We got the first formal commitment to work to improve the problem,” said Bullock, who introduced the resolution with Ward 3 Councilman John Litten. “It seems we’ve really gotten the attention in a new way.
“Common sense needs to enter this equation. I think this fall we’ll have some formal agreement that will go in place but what success looks like is not a one and done. It’s a continuing dialogue.”
While the city expressed interest in repairing Kauffman Park, the majority of council agreed on the need to fund baseball field repairs at all city parks. The good news is Bullock intends to draw up legislation for approval either at an emergency meeting or after the August recess.
“The warm weather only lasts so long in Cleveland so you have to plan to do your work before rain and snow comes,” Bullock said. “It’s a matter of focus, money and contract schedules. The work itself will take a few days. It’s not extensive, but the clock is ticking. If we lose August, then we’re probably not going to get it done.”
Also at hand is the unique partnership in place for nearly 50 years between Lakewood and Lakewood City Schools to handle the city’s various recreational programs; however, as it stands now the relationship doesn’t include defined field responsibilities.
Currently Lakewood Mayor Meghan George, as well as Lakewood City Schools Assistant Superintendent Christine Palumbo and Board of Education President Betsy Shaughnessy are continuing to work on an ongoing maintenance and operation memorandum of understanding to detail division of duties for ongoing maintenance and operation of fields.
Bullock said council advocated for a citizen representative of players/coaches to also participate in that effort.
One parent concerned about field conditions is A.J. Magner, whose child currently plays 12U baseball games at Kauffman Park, Madison Park and Lakewood High School.
“Neglected by the current management structure with no capital plan, no maintenance plan and no leadership or accountability, the extremely poor field conditions are a liability to the city and the residents created by the recreation department’s lack of focus and care,” Magner said.
Bullock said the field condition issue is a priority that needs to be addressed sooner than later.
“We need to hold ourselves accountable to get it done,” Bullock said. “I’ll be disappointed if we don’t do that this construction season.”
Read more news from the Sun Post Herald here.
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