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Improved Poland Township park
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .The entrance to Poland Township Park is located on Cowden Road off of Struthers Road. It features walking trails, a playground and an environment that is ideal for nature watching.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Poland Park, located on Cowden Road, now features a playground with swings, picnic tables plenty of room for recreational fun. The park reopened its gates April 1.
Poland Township Park opened its gates again for another year of enjoyment April 1.
With its entrance located on Cowden Road, the park features four walking trails and a new playground. Mike Heher, Poland Park board chairman, says the vision of the park actually began in 2005. Recent dedication and resources have made that vision a reality.
Heher, who is also an employee of Carbon Limestone Sanitary Landfill, came to an agreement with the landfill in regard to the property of the current Poland park.
“We agreed to lease the property to Poland Township for $1 a year for 100 years,” said Heher.
Land for the park belongs to Poland Township and is leased at a low rate so residents can enjoy the resources the park has to offer.
Poland residents Ed Virostek Jr. and Ed Virostek Sr. live within walking distance of the park. They often come to the park together to walk the trails and enjoy the scenery.
“To get exercise is the main thing, but I also like to see the wildlife,” said Virostek Jr.
The trails in the park include specially-marked trees that are native to Ohio. They are also covered with fresh mulch which makes walking easier and more enjoyable.
“It’s a great place to walk, you don’t have to worry about mud,” said Virostek Sr.
The park also features a wildlife food plot filled with millet and clover. The clover is expected to help feed the park’s wildlife through spring.
Twenty-four species of birds are said to be present in the park, according a bird count sponsored by Cornell University in December. Sixty nesting boxes have been placed throughout the park in hopes of improving bird habitat and encouraging the birds to make the park their permanent home.
Ken Conzett, Poland park board member, says the park is still fairly new and there are big plans in store for the future.
“This year, we want to build a pavilion by the playground and future plans include implementing two family softball fields and improving the trails,” he said.
Planting new grass around the playground and spreading more mulch throughout the park is also on the to-do list. As for now, there is plenty of open area for recreational events, picnics and family outings.
In honor of Earth Day, 85 trees will be planted in the park April 18 at 1 p.m. The event is open to the public and volunteers are welcome to come out and help plant the trees.