Lorain voters could see Parks and Recreation levy

LORAIN — Lorain residents could see a park levy on the ballot this year. City Council discussed needed improvements to the city's more than 300 acres of parkland at a work session Monday evening. While staffing levels and the sheer acreage to cover is an issue, funding is the root. Throughout the past 22 years, the parks department has continued to decline, Public Property Manager Lori Garcia said. In 1999, the city had 23 parks employees; in 2011, that was cut to zero and stayed as such through 2013. For the past 15 years, the bulk of maintenance done to the roughly 50 parks in the city has been cutting grass and clearing trash — budgeting about $40,000 a year to do so. For comparison, she noted Amherst allocated upward of $186,000 of its 2021 budget to its parks and Elyria spent more than $151,000 in 2020 for its green space. "Lakeview Park north has more employees at that park than we do for our whole city," she said. Lakeview Park north is run by the Lorain County Metro Parks; its southern side is city-owned. A summer work program with Lorain County Workforce Development brings some 18-and-older workers in to help with upkeep, she said, but once the crew is trained they're only on hand for about a month before the program ends. Deed restrictions on some parcels granted to the city also limit or stipulate how properties can be transferred. "We've got to fish or cut bait," said Councilwoman Mary Springowski, D-at large. Riley explained many of the parks were transferred to the city a century ago, making the heirs of those who relinquished the original deed harder to find. Council looked at placing a 1-mill property-tax levy on the 2019 ballot that would have generated more than $871,000. A new levy would need to be recertified by the county auditor to appear before voters. The increased revenue could bring upgrades to some of the city's most-used spaces and cover staffing gaps — though a plan for the dollars would be needed, Council members and the administration agreed. Councilman Josh Thornsberry, D-8th Ward, said he would support a park levy — and suggested a poll like what was done ahead of the 2016 fire levy — but noted it may be a hard sell on the far west side where there are far fewer parks. Riley, speaking as a west side resident, noted there are fewer green spaces for west side families to enjoy. In part through a program allowing developers to buy out of requirements to create parks within subdivisions, certain neighborhoods are "sorely deficient in appropriate parks," he said. Thornsberry estimated that when he was involved with the fire levy poll, it took four to six weeks to complete. Mayor Jack Bradley said he grew up in the parks, noting polling residents is an important first step in improving the parks and the city as a whole. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.