By: Desirae Hutchison
The park board met on March 4th, 2020 to discuss the new business for the park and the new sports season going to take place soon.
The baseball, softball and pony league started out the meeting by giving their updates for the new season. The gave the estimated number of players for the new season so that insurance could be properly in place before the teams have to start practicing.
They gave the updates on the new batting cages that will be installed as soon as weather is permitting, new equipment they may need and their plan for the start date of the season.
Don Brown discussed all the park happenings since the last meeting involving the splash pad update. The splash pads estimated time for opening is in July.
Mr. Brown also showed concern with the minimal number of lifeguards he has this year and the need for more. He requests if you are fifteen and older and would like a summer job to contact him at 419-485-5389.
New signs are in the process of being bought for both the splash pad and the fields at the park. The sign for the splash pad will have the rules and the time that it will be ran during the summer. The field signs will give each field a specific number to help minimize confusion when traveling teams visit to play on the fields.
The Easter Egg Hunt in the park is scheduled to happen Saturday April 11th, Easter weekend.
The friends of the park met on March 5th, 2020 to go over the plans for the spring/summer and where the budget will be going, as well as to recap the board meeting the night before.
A large gratitude was given to the wonderful donations of the community for the summer lunch program. Since the start of the program in 2009 the community has donated almost $55,000 and the park has served almost 20,000 lunches in total to the children who need it during the summer months.
The following day the friends of the park discussed the pervious items from the meeting before to get everyone up to speed.
The financial status of the friends of the park was in the positive $33,000 compared to the previous year, thanks to the majority being donations.
The family of Barb Kreischer decided to take the donations from her memorial and donate them to the friends to be used for the painting of the pool.
The friends of the park decided to continue the annual laser show this year over Bean Days Balloon Fest. Besides the laser show the friends discussed possibly doing three movies for the community during that time to celebrate the 175th Bean Days
New benches are being bought to go at the splash pad with a plaque to show appreciation to The Montpelier Eagles for their continued support of the park.
