GREEN SPACE TOWN HOLIDAY Volunteers sought to spruce up park

Officials are looking for more volunteers and donated items.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- City officials will be putting a little extra effort into cleaning up Liberty Memorial Park this weekend and are asking city residents to take time out to appreciate and beautify green space here as well.
Council, at the behest of Councilman Michael Costarella, declared the last Saturday in April as Green Space Town Holiday. Costarella said the day is set aside for residents to organize projects and show appreciation for city parks and green space.
Costarella and other council members will be focusing their efforts on cleaning up Liberty Memorial Park. The work will be a continuation of cleanup efforts started at the park in October by a group of concerned citizens.
"We are going to focus on the main pavilion," Costarella said. "We are looking for donations to buy wood and material to make the pavilion able to be closed up," when not in use.
During cleanup efforts at the park in October, volunteers installed lights in the pavilion and supplied the recreational facility with a fresh coat of paint. Since that time, vandals have broken all the lights, painted graffiti on the walls and damaged water pipes leading to the structure.
Other jobs to be done
Councilman Joe Shelby has volunteered to use any donated material to close off the pavilion when it's not in use. Other volunteers will be installing new lights, fixing the pipes and painting.
Volunteers also will be cleaning, fixing and securing an old maintenance building on the park property. Chains on the doors of the building have not been fastened tightly enough to keep trespassers and vandals out of the building.
Costarella said the building could come in handy if the city decides to increase the number of employees in the park department. Cuts in park and recreation funds over the last several years eliminated most park employees.
In an effort to prevent vandalism in the park, officials are considering placing cameras at various places around the park.
Jerry Lambert, safety-service director, said the city has received two bids for placement of the cameras -- one for $13,000 and another for $23,000. Officials are still exploring the bid proposals, he said.
According to Costarella, numerous trees have fallen in the park over the last several years, and brush has piled up with limited staff to maintain the area. Some people also have been dumping cut trees and weeds in the park, he said.
Costarella said volunteers will be cleaning up the fallen wood and brush from walkways and open areas. Once the wood is gathered up, it will be put to use by the volunteers.
"We are going to cut it up, put it in pickup trucks and take it to the pony league field to have bonfires," he said. "If someone is good with a chainsaw, they can really help us out."
Costarella said many residents have volunteered to help with the cleanup effort, but more are needed. He said food donations also are needed to supply lunch to participants. Volunteers will begin gathering at the park at 8 a.m.
jgoodwin@vindy.com