In Episode 2 of Findlay Exposed, the creator of this video highlights the conditions of Eagle Creek Park that is the only Skate Park currently in Findlay. Broken down cars, expired license plates, overnight parking for weeks and maybe even months by vehicles with expired license plates. FINDLAY EXPOSED: EPISODE 2; EAGLE CREEK PARK – YouTube
I’ve written many posts regarding the mayors legacy $40 Million park and asked why this Downtown Legacy park, like all others, have not been placed on a ballot for citizens to vote on.
Below is a letter Katie Erickson read at City Council regarding the current parks in Findlay & Hancock County. ALL great points!
Hello! My name is Katie Erickson and I have lived at 1025 W Sandusky St
in Findlay for the past almost 17 years.
I noticed on tonight’s council agenda that there is a resolution no. 026-2023
(Recreation Department All Star Park) that states that it is “a resolution
transferring funds within appropriated funds, and declaring an emergency.”
I would like to know, what is the emergency for this park?
I did some searching online, and I found that there are 23 parks listed in
Hancock County, 6 main parks and an additional 8 parks (so that’s 14) in
the City of Findlay, and there are 13 community parks throughout the
county. That is a total of 50 named parks within Hancock County! This
does NOT count schools that have playgrounds associated with them.
It does not appear to me that we have a park shortage. Of those 50 parks,
is there any data as to how many people use them on a regular basis?
When I have either visited or driven by parks, they are often not full of
people. There is an occasional gorgeous weather day when perhaps many
parking spots will be taken at some of the larger parks, but I have not
noticed that people are swarming these parks and demanding additional
park facilities.
If we have 50 parks already in this county that need to be kept up and
maintained, why are we adding another giant park in Findlay,
especially when there are so many other parks?
The National Recreation and Parks Association states that an appropriate
ratio is 1 park for every 2,287 residents. According to the US Census
Bureau, Hancock County has 74,656 residents as of 2021.
Doing the math, that means per the National Recreation and Parks
Association’s ratio, Hancock County should have 32.6 parks. We have 50.
According to the US Census Bureau, the city of Findlay has 39,942
residents as of 2021. Again, doing the math, that means the city should
have 17.5 parks. While there are 14 “official” city parks, many of the county
parks are also in Findlay, thus putting the city well over the appropriate
amount.
So I ask again, why do we need one more?
In addition, since the proposed downtown park is along the river, that puts it
in the flood zone. We all know that when it floods, there is some pretty
disgusting residue left behind from the flood waters that would need to be
cleaned up. What is the plan for cleaning up this proposed new park after
each flood? How much will that cost, and who will pay for it?
So, my questions to you are:
- What is the emergency surrounding this new park?
- Why is another park needed when we already have literally 50 named
parks in this county, which is well over what the National Recreation
and Parks Association recommends?
Findlay, weigh in on this discussion. Do you agree with the Mayor spending $40 MILLION of your taxpayer dollars for her pet project?