WARREN Citizen panel targets parks

The city has 21 parks, but some have been closed.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City resident Mary Ann Franklin is hoping creation of a citizens committee to address city parks produces the solution she's been seeking.
"The committee is the closest thing we have to being able to do what we need to do," Franklin said.
Earlier this year, council passed an ordinance establishing a committee to advise council members on creation of a citywide park plan.
Council President William "Doug" Franklin set Wednesday as the deadline for council members to submit their committee appointments.
Each council member is to make an appointment.
The panel will have up to a year to do its work on the plan, which is nonbinding. The city has 21 parks, some of which have been closed more than a year.
"For a city our size, this city has too many parks," said Robert A. Marchese, D-at large, a sponsor of the legislation to establish the committee.
Possibilities
Committee members could recommend how the park facilities can best be used and determine what to do with other pieces of property that may not be ideal park property.
"They could come up with five or six well-maintained, well-operated parks," Marchese said.
He believes the result will be better parks with more variety of uses as well as less insurance for the city to pay and less maintenance.
"I think if we get 10 nonpolitical people together, they'll be able to come up with citywide plan," Marchese said.
Franklin hopes she's one of those selected to serve on the panel. James A. "Doc" Pugh, D-6th, has approached her about participating on the committee, she said.
Community Concerned Citizens, a group of about 25 southwest-side residents, has been trying to work out an arrangement with city officials to use Southwest Memorial Park and Quinby Park.
Children from the city's southwest side don't have a place to play if the parks in that area are closed, she said.
"Children need some place to go and something to do," Franklin said. "Kids like open air, not to just be inside all of the time."
dick@vindy.com