GAMBIER — At July’s Gambier council meeting, council members delved into details of potential renovations at the community park and when villagers can expect to see changes.
Councilmember Morgan Giles revealed at Tuesday’s meeting the architect was hired for the project, with most of Phase II complete and general design outlined.
The first phase included the replacement of the current playground adjacent to the basketball court. This will mirror “natural structures,” Councilmember Liz Foreman said, that’ll change the typography of the land.
New playground equipment could be added to the park with additions such as slide hills, duo swings, play hills, group swings, timber stacks and a climbing canyon.
The community park is looking to have a place where parents and grandparents can sit and relax while still being able to see what the children are doing, Giles said.
The next stage of the project, he said, would be to start Phase III that includes how much dirt would be needed to start construction and soliciting bids from potential contractors.
Giles hopes to bring a bid to council at next month’s meeting, asking the legislative body to allow further detailed blueprints to be created and who would be the general contractor for the project.
“We still have $22,003.83 in unencumbered park outlets,” Giles said. “We need to know if the council supports the project moving forward to use that money.
“(There’s) still some strategic plan funds available.”
Council proposed $100,000 in program capital for next year’s budget, Village Administrator R.C. Wise said. This money could be used for projects like the park.
“(There’s) still just a number of ideas that haven’t been solidified yet,” Wise said.
There’s talks of applying for a $100,000 grant in early 2023 by Knox County Foundation, which has already awarded Gambier money for its community strategic plan project that can be allocated toward several projects. The village also hired a consultant to rewrite its zoning code with the foundation’s awarded funds, Wise added.
“We can’t just pick a project willy nilly,” Wise said. “It has to be tied back to the strategic plan.”
Councilmembers Foreman and Kaitlin Sockman were enthusiastic about the park, noting the transformation has potential and it could re-energize folks who currently live in Gambier.
“I feel like we’re in a good place,” Giles said. “I hope next month we have a final plan.”
Gambier’s next council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 1.
