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MetroParks meeting again draws large crowd
CANFIELD
A large crowd again turned out for the monthly Mill Creek MetroParks board meeting to take park officials to task for recent leadership decisions.
During the public-comment portion of the three-hour-plus meeting, dozens of community members from the crowd of roughly 150 sounded off about concerns related to the park’s February staff restructuring.
A topic brought up by several people was what they perceive as an attempt to dismantle Fellows Riverside Gardens and its fundraising arm, Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens, and to merge that group with the Mill Creek Park Foundation. Park officials vehemently denied any such plan.
Park board member Scott Schulick addressed that issue in a statement.
“I believe that these two organizations have distinct, but complementary missions, with the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation to further the advancement of the entire park in perpetuity through fundraising and endowment building, while Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens is specifically focused on the mission and advancement of the Gardens. I firmly believe that it is premature to suggest that these groups combine,” he said.
Schulick’s statement, in which he noted that the park board does not have “policies developed or codified in a consistent or meaningful way,” spelled out numerous policy proposals.
Those suggestions include: convening a board/staff workshop to update and develop board bylaws; touring all park lands and facilities; annual board training on Ohio Sunshine Laws by the Ohio Ethics Commission; convening a regional watershed task force to address water-quality issues; updating the budget process and enrolling the MetroParks in Ohio’s Online Checkbook; engaging the state auditor or a CPA firm to “conduct an operational review of park functions and offer suggestions for improvement”; and ongoing, annual planning for park levy renewals.
Another concern expressed by numerous community members was what they characterized as a lack of transparency and accountability on the part of park leaders.
One woman delivered an impassioned plea to park officials to make MetroParks financial statements more accessible to the public.
“That is information we are entitled to,” she said, noting that she has not been able to find specifics on park finances in board meeting minutes. “That is hiding things, and it shows a lack of respect for the entire community.”
Several times, park officials were drawn into terse exchanges with those who spoke during public comment. In one case, an audience member screamed at MetroParks Director Aaron Young to respond to public comment, leading him to respond before answering several questions, “Every time I give answers I get insulted. You’re not here for answers, you’re here to yell and scream.”
Board President John Ragan also directly responded to public comment when asked “when” Young would be terminated.
“He’s not,” Ragan said.
Several community members also questioned how the park, and the gardens in particular, will be able to thrive not only with fewer employees, but with fewer donations and volunteers due to outrage over the staff cuts.
“Who wants to donate to a park that has such disregard for its people and its animals?” one woman asked.
Another community member said she has noted that many members of local gardening organizations have rescinded support – such as volunteer hours, donations and purchases – from the MetroParks.
“That’s something you really need to consider,” she said.