Oxford Village’s got some big ideas to improve its parks system and expand recreational opportunities, but before the municipality approves a plan to guide it, officials want to hear what residents think of it.
‘I think it’s a good plan,? said Sue Bossardet, who serves on the village’s parks and recreation committee. ‘I think any time you can do things that keep people in the community, are beneficial to children and allow families to participate, it’s a good thing.?
From now through the end of this month, copies of the village’s proposed parks and recreation master plan are available for review at the municipality’s 22 W. Burdick St. office and at the Oxford Public Library.
Comments should be directed to village Manager Joe Young either by mail or by e-mailing manager@villageofoxford.org.
The village is planning to conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed master plan at its 6:30 p.m. March 9 council meeting.
According the master plan, the village wishes to make the following improvements to its parks:
n Centennial Park ? install a kiosk to display community information; continue to expand family-oriented community events such as the summer concert series and a potential ice sculpture festival in the winter.
n Scripter Park ? continue playground improvements; expand and improve nature trails with the addition of a limestone surface; provide viewing platform/fishing deck for the pond north of Round Lake; install a raised pavilion/staging area; and provide activities for adults/seniors such as bocce courts, horseshoe pits or other lawn games.
‘I understand money’s tight, but it would be nice to finish the play structure over at Scripter Park,? Bossardet noted. ‘It was put off for several years after we did the initial (phase). We have phase two and three (planned), but it’s just never been done.?
As part of its draft master plan, the village wants to finally utilize and develop the vacant 3.5-acre industrial property at 98 Glaspie St., which the municipality purchased for $700,000 in 2006 and considers part of Scripter.
Plans for the former industrial site include constructing additional parking; turning the existing paved parking area into a multi-use area for roller hockey, ice skating and skateboarding; consider reusing the vacant industrial building as a sports training center or teen center; and consider adding tennis courts behind the building.
Over on Dayton St., the village plans to create a park out of the undeveloped 3 acres it owns there between Pleasant Street and Ridgelawn Memorial Cemetery.
Plans include constructing a small parking lot from Dayton St.; paving or coating with crushed limestone the informal path that already exists between Dayton Street and the Polly Ann Trail; and add benches.
Because the Polly Ann Trail runs through the Dayton St. property, the master plan also calls for construction of a trailhead site on Pleasant St. complete with a small parking lot, picnic area, drinking fountain, benches and signage about local railroad history.
In addition to enhancing village parks, the master plan calls for the municipality to continue developing its walkway system by doing things like identifying and filling in sidewalk gaps; installing amenities such as benches, trash cans, bike racks, mile markers and signage; and provide informational kiosks at key locations such as Centennial Park, the Polly Ann Trailhead site and the post office.
These kiosks would contain maps of walkways and community facilities along with information about community events.
Based on the cost estimates provided for many of the proposed projects in the master plan, the village is looking to invest at least $241,500 in parks/recreation and that doesn’t include costs for large projects such as rehabilitating the 98 Glaspie St. building.
‘Hopefully, we’ll be able to set aside some money to do some of the things that we would like to do,? Bossardet said. ‘It’s going to be a struggle to find money within the (village) budget to do things other than necessities.?
To pay for all of this, the village is planning to apply for federal and state funds along with grants from nonprofit organizations; use local funds; conduct fund-raising events; and seek sponsors and donations.
‘By updating this (master plan), hopefully we will be eligible to apply for some of those (funds) and get some money to help out,? Bossardet said.