Friday, June 29, 2007
A former Vindicator publisher donated land to begin the
formation of the township park.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN — Sixty years of park history culminates with the return of a favorite band and chorus this weekend.
A concert by the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Maag Outdoor Arts Theatre in the park. Fireworks provided by B.J. Alan Co. follow at 10 p.m.
“They usually draw an audience of 8,000 to 9,000 people when they perform at the park,” said Dan Slagle, park executive director.
Its popularity with the public is a reason the band and chorus were asked to return as the park, established in 1947, marks its 60th anniversary.
In 1946, William F. Maag Jr., a former publisher of The Vindicator, donated 72 acres to the township to establish a park. A vote by township residents established the park district.
The park sees 500,000 visitors annually including those who reserve park facilities, program and event attendees, and casual visitors.
The majority, about 200,000, are reservation holders for everything from weddings at St. James Meeting House to family reunions at one of the outdoor pavilions.
“We take 3,000 reservations per year,” Slagle said.
Adding to the park
Over the past 15 years, several recreational assets have been added to the park, paid for with donations and grants.
Those include Kids’ Town and Tots Town playgrounds, the Maag Outdoor Arts Theatre, volleyball courts, as well as improvements to park facilities.
While donations and grants paid for park amenities, 70 percent of the park’s operating budget relies on two 27-year-old levies.
Although people reserving park facilities comprise the bulk of visitors, playground facilities are the most popular attractions among casual visitors, Slagle said.
Kids’ Town, built in 1993, following a master plan implemented by the park board the previous year, employed the community build concept.
“It was built by the community,” Slagle explained. An organization of volunteers formed and raised monetary and material donations, recruited more volunteers and built the playground.
“Not one tax dollar was used,” Slagle said.
About 2,500 volunteers participated. “The people of the community did a great job,” the executive director said.
The community build concept continued with other park facilities.
A donation from a great-granddaughter of William F. Maag Sr., also a former Vindicator publisher, laid the foundation for the Maag Outdoor Arts Theatre.
Township architectural firm 4M designed the theater and volunteers pulled together to gather materials and build the venue.
The Kenneth Hofmaster Pavilion followed a similar path to fruition.
Slagle attributes the park’s popularity to two things. One is its central location, convenient to much of Mahoning as well as Columbiana County.
The other is its layout.
“It’s convenient to use,” he said. “All our recreational facilities are close to each other.”
Families picnicking in one of the pavilions can easily keep watch over their children playing in the nearby playground. One group can play boccie while another enjoys tennis or volleyball.
“You don’t have to get into your car and drive from one of our facilities to another,” the executive director said.