Since 1975, park’s thrived

The activity center was the first
building erected during George
Economus’ tenure.

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

BOARDMAN — When Atty. George Economus was appointed to the Boardman Park board, there was no gazebo or outdoor theater.

Board members met in the service garage.

That was 1975.

By the time Economus left the board in 1996, the park had grown by many acres and many of its best-known amenities were in place or in the works.

One of the first buildings constructed during his board tenure was the Georgeanna A. Parker Activity Center, which houses park offices and board meetings.

The center’s creation was in motion when Economus was appointed. Back then, park commissioners were appointed by Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judges. Today, township trustees make the appointments.

“Georgeanna Parker was a Boardman High School teacher who left money to the park,” Economus said. “The park needed an administration building.”

Boardman Park, dubbed “The Green Oasis” by park staff, was established in 1947 and will mark its 60th anniversary with a celebration June 30.

Although it’s been more than a decade since he left the board, Economus is no stranger to the park’s facilities.

“I enjoy coming out here,” he said. “It’s such a beautiful place.”

Past projects

He served alongside fellow former board members Thomas Masters, Janie S. Jenkins and Bill Prosser. While they didn’t always agree, they never left their monthly meetings angry, either, Economus said.

With development happening all around the park, board members and staff wanted to preserve, protect and increase its acreage.

During that time, the park acquired additional land, moved a historic home from U.S. Route 224 to park grounds and secured the former home of Judge Edgar Diehm to increase the park’s size and broaden its appeal.

“Everyone wanted pavilions — for family reunions, for picnics,” Economus said. “So we built the pavilions.”

The Boardman Rotary built the gazebo in 1976 to allow park visitors to enjoy live music.

“That started the weekly live music programs that are still at the park today,” said Dan Slagle Jr., park executive director.

Those concerts have moved from the gazebo to the Maag Outdoor Arts Theatre.

The gazebo continues as a popular site for weddings and wedding photographs, however, Slagle noted.

Kids Town and the Boardman Community Center followed in subsequent years. In 1992, the park developed its master plan laying out goals for the park’s future.

“That really was the road map for us,” Economus said.