MECCA Township to dedicate 'world-class' facility

Additional baseball and soccer fields and a parking lot are planned.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
MECCA -- Township Trustee Tom Gladd says the ever-improving Mecca Community Park demonstrates that sometimes good things can come out of adversity.
"They said we couldn't do it," Gladd said of those who questioned whether the township could turn its 22-acre site along state Route 46 south of the Mecca Circle into a thriving recreational facility.
This spring, organizers are building a playground and storage building.
In 2000, when Gladd was elected township trustee, the township was in the midst of legal action that had already held up attempts to get baseball and soccer fields built for several years. Residents decided to go ahead.
"Right or wrong, we decided we were going to do something," Gladd said.
The facility started to take shape with volunteers from the Maplewood Hot Stove League and Maplewood Soccer Association.
"The nice thing is, in seven years, this is what it looks like," he said proudly of the three baseball fields, two soccer fields, pavilion, walking trails, basketball court and concession stand. A walking trail was built four years ago. "In seven years, that's a world-class park," Gladd said.
History
The township started the park in 1996 after voters approved a ballot issue calling for a free park. It faced legal obstacles when two lawsuits were filed against township officials.
The Ohio Supreme Court put an end to one of the suits, filed in 1998 by members of Mecca For Fair Government. The high court refused to review an appeal of the lawsuit, which was first filed in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. That suit argued only a township park board can establish a recreational facility.
A suit filed in Common Pleas Court in 1999 questioned the way money was spent at the park. That suit was resolved a few years ago, Gladd said.
Organizers have continued to develop the park in recent years, creating a walking path and basketball court. The playground and storage building are expected to be ready for use this summer.
The playground contains toys and recreation for everyone from toddlers to senior citizens, Gladd said -- noting there is a porch-swing-style piece for older family members. Gladd said organizers hope to hold a dedication ceremony for the playground by the end of May.
The playground came courtesy of a $24,000 state Nature Works grant through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, $8,000 in matching money from the township, and $3,200 each from the Friends of Mecca Community Park and Mecca Community Corn Roast Committee.
The concrete block storage facility, which is for storing soccer and baseball equipment, will cost $32,000 and should be complete by midsummer, Gladd said.
There are still four to five acres of unused land, and plans are for that to be used for additional baseball and soccer fields and a parking lot in the coming years, Gladd said.
runyan@vindy.com