POLAND Trustees seek funding for recreation projects

The projects are contingent upon proper funding.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Township residents may have several more options for spending warm summer and spring afternoons in the near future, should trustees receive the necessary funding for several recreation projects.
Trustees are looking to develop about 120 acres of newly acquired township land into a park, turn an old home into a welcome center at the proposed park, create a pedestrian walkway along state Route 170 and donate funds toward the improvement of a park at North Elementary School in the village.
Trustee Mark Naples said trustees are using a new grant writing program put together by Mahoning County commissioners to request grants from the state for the projects. The North Elementary upgrade donation, however, will come from county sales tax money given to the township should any of that money be left over at the end of the year, he said.
Land donated: The 120 acres were donated to the township as part of contract renegotiation between the township and Browning Ferris Industries in regard to the Carbon Limestone Landfill here. BFI representatives gave the township cash and incentives reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for an increase in the long-haul trash amounts allowed to be brought into the landfill.
According to Naples, the 120 acres of donated land will be divided into two 60-acre halves. The first half to be developed will include picnic tables, walking paths and much of what is now offered in the Poland Woods. The second half is being cleared, but Naples said trustees envision that area being made into ballfields and other structured play areas.
Historical house: Trustees would like to move a historical house from the corner of North Lima and Western Reserve roads to the Cowden Road property, where the park is proposed. The house would be a donation from the New Life Assembly of God.
The three-story, wood-frame house will need work, said Pastor Bob Reese, of the church. The church, he said, bought the house and some property about five years ago but allowed the former owner to continue living in the house. The former owner died recently, and now, the church wants the house to be moved and does not want to invest in the new floors, plastering, plumbing and wiring it needs.
Cost of moving it: Naples said the township may not be able to move the house anyway because of the $80,000 price associated with it. He said trustees are looking for funds and will accept donations.
The state Route 170 walking path is not a new idea. Trustees have been seeking funding for the path for several years. Naples said trustees are hopeful funding will be granted this year for the project because it coincides with the other recreational plans here.
"This is all very basic. We just want to put some nice new things in place for the community, that's all," said Naples. "Residents here should be able to use this newly acquired land and this is the best way I can see to do that."
jgoodwin@vindy.com