As Plain City continues to grow, officials are focused on ensuring that local parks and events remain a priority in the village.
“So many of these programs are what we consider to be the foundation of our community,” Council member Aaron Lewis said.
Parks and Recreation Director Linda Granger and Parks and Recreation Assistant Denton Kitts shared a recap of the department’s work throughout 2023.
The pair highlighted a number of park improvements, high turnout at events and steady bookings for both the campground and aquatic center.
Granger said some of the most noticeable improvements were seen at Pastime Park, as a concrete floor and new lighting were installed in the cattle barn.
Thanks to a donation from a private citizen, a new roof was also installed on the Lions building.
The Youth Building, the village’s most popular rental facility, now has a proper, gravel parking lot for the first time, along with ADA-compliant sidewalk around the building.
Granger said the entrance to McKitrick Park was repaved so visitors do not need to worry about their car bottoming out when entering the park.
While the village’s newest park is within the Madison Meadows neighborhood, Granger emphasized that it is a community park complete with a shelter and restrooms. She said a playground was already purchased for the park, but because it has rubber footing, officials must wait for specific weather to install it.
The Youth Building was by far the most rented facility with 155 rentals in 2023, followed by the South Shelter with 55, North Shelter at 47, The Loft at Church Street with 39 and cattle barn with 30. The Loft opened for reservations beginning in March 2023.
Revenue generated by reservations at the campground, though, far exceeded other rentals in the village.
Granger said there were 1,918 campground reservations in 2023, totaling $322,178. That is more than the total amount of parks expenditures.
“Revenue has escalated pretty tremendously,” she said, noting that it was approximately $18,000 when she was hired in 2016.
Council approved a six-month length of stay policy for the campground that was implemented beginning this year, but Granger said the average stay is five days.
Like the campground, Granger said the aquatic center is very well attended.
“Our pool is well-loved,” she said.
In 2023, there were 424 pool memberships, which equate to about 1,500 people. 10,522 daily passes were issued, or about 119 per day.
Granger also noted that swim lessons and pool parties were 100% booked. She said the reservations open to village residents first, and she expects dates will be mostly scheduled this year before they open to those beyond Plain City.
Unlike the campground, pool expenditures outpaced revenue, which Granger said is “kind of standard.”
“It’s something you give back to the community from your government,” she said.
In 2024, Granger said a number of improvements are planned for village facilities.
She said electricity will be run to the Youth Building and several roofs will be replaced through insurance claims following hail damage. New picnic tables will also be purchased for Pastime Park.
Officials are also in the engineering design phase of planning for a Heritage Trailhead. Plain City was awarded a grant to complete this portion of the project.
At the aquatic center, Granger said the pool interior will be repainted and additional shade options will be added. Between 20 and 40 pool chairs will be purchased, as the department does each year.
The director said plans are also in place to begin an aquatics feasibility study in order to assess the physical facility and the community’s current and future needs.
Kitts also highlighted the success of village-hosted events throughout 2023.
He touched on Bluegrass and BBQ, the Mother’s Cookies special event, Fourth of July, the weekly Farmers Market, Music in the Park, Fall Fest and Christmas Under the Clock as major highlights, each of which clocking attendance numbers of at least 1,000 participants.
Other community events that were well-received by community members include the Easter Egg Hunt, Touch a Truck, creeking programs with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and COSI and the holiday light show in Pastime Park.
Kitts credited much of the village’s programming success to community partnerships.
In 2024, he said the department hopes to increase sponsorship to facilitate events.
Lewis suggested creating a program through which local businesses that sponsor village programs can place a sticker in their front window. He said it could foster a spirit of healthy competition between potential sponsors.
Kitts said he would look into the suggestion and is open to discussing any potential ideas from council.
Granger also praised Kitts for his work toward becoming a Tree City USA. She said the village is expected to receive its first Tree City USA award in May.
Moving forward, Granger said the department is focused on creating a “roadmap” for the future of parks and recreation.
The department is also continuing to be involving in development planning, alongside Village Planner Derek Hutchinson and Development Manager Jason Stanford, to emphasize green space and connectivity.
She said the village will depend on feedback included in the 2020 Parks Master Plan to guide future work.