Board gets OK for park building

The township will lease the property for $1 per year.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- More amenities are in the works for a new township park expected to open this summer.
Trustee Robert Lidle said the park's advisory board got the go-ahead to erect a 56-by-32-foot all-purpose building at a new park at Cowden and Moore roads. The building includes a covered porch.
"The building would be for equipment storage and possible future concessions," he said.
Plans for the park have been in the works for years.
The building will be paid for through donations, Lidle said. The cost is estimated at between $20,000 and $25,000, the bulk of which is being paid by the Poland Youth Soccer Association, he said.
Park property
The township is leasing the 87 acres from BFI for $1 per year for the park. The arrangement is part of the agreement for the company's landfill on South State Line Road to operate in the township.
The lease is effective for up to 99 years or for as long as the company must continue testing on the park property, which is adjacent to the landfill. Then the parcel transfers to the township.
The company will pay the property taxes on the property through the lease agreement's duration, township and landfill officials have said.
Several community groups, including Eagle Scouts and soccer and flag football associations, donated work last summer to ready the property, clearing and grading the property.
Grant money
The township received a $34,000 grant from the Recycling and Reuse Division of Mahoning County for playground equipment and fencing made from recycled materials for the park.
Other planned amenities include walking trails, picnic tables and pavilions and flag football, soccer and softball fields.
"Work at the park is being done through contributions and donations and volunteer efforts," Lidle said. "It doesn't cost the taxpayers anything."