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The Twinsburg Parks & Recreation Commission convened for their regular meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was attended by commission members Dave Kleinman, Robert Pan, Julie Miller, and Doug McLaughlin, with Tom Wright being absent. The meeting included several key updates and discussions about ongoing and future initiatives within the city’s parks and recreation programs.
For more information about their programs and events, visit their website.
New Leadership
The commission began by appointing new leadership for the upcoming year:
- Dave Kleinman was appointed as Chairperson
- Julie Miller was appointed as Vice Chairperson
Recreation Department Updates
Jennifer Betenson, Parks and Recreation Director, shared several important updates:
Special Events Calendar and Activity Guide:
- The department has finalized their special events calendar for the year
- A new electronic activity guide has been published, with plans to print and distribute the fall activity guide to all households
Upcoming Events:
- Arts Festival: Saturday, February 29 at the Community Center (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Summer Camp information release: March 3
- Summer Camp registration begins: April 7
- Senior Safety Fair: March 19
- Combined Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration: April 26 at the Community Center (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM), in collaboration with the Environmental Commission
Rock the Park Concert Series:
- Five concerts scheduled for the year
- Four traditional concerts
- One special free “Rock the Park Gives Back to School Block Party” on August 16, in collaboration with local schools
Safety Town:
- New Safety Town playground being installed at Glenn Meadow, behind the pickleball courts
- Buildings being fabricated by Habitat for Humanity and Akron
- Installation dates: April 5 and May 3
- Project dedication scheduled for July 1 at 5:00 PM
- Will be an open playground available for public use year-round
Pollinator Gardens:
- Recreation Department has identified 2-3 potential locations
- Key challenge: finding groups to maintain the gardens after installation
Council Representative Report
Chuck Bonacci, City Council representative, shared insights about the commission’s purpose and potential ways to increase its impact:
Commission Responsibilities:
- Review city parks, recreation facilities, and equipment
- Develop and distribute surveys to gather resident feedback
- Prepare recommendations for new programs and events
- Review existing recreation programs
Community Engagement Opportunities:
- Create targeted surveys for different facilities (parks, fitness center, water park, events)
- Use QR codes and electronic surveys to gather feedback
- Form subcommittees to focus on specific initiatives
- Increase presence at community events to engage with residents
- Document observations from visits to parks and facilities
Commission Member Reports
Several commission members shared observations and feedback:
Julie Miller:
- Received positive feedback about winter trail maintenance and snow removal
- Raised questions about construction near the Ravenna Road and Richmond Road intersection
Doug McLaughlin:
- Noted the completion of the East Idlewood Bridge project
- Suggested adding additional walkways at the playground equipment
- Inquired about the Salamander Festival on March 15
- Asked about Liberty Road Park and potential pollinator-friendly areas
- Suggested adding more of the popular sit-down elliptical machines at the fitness center, which currently have long wait times
- Inquired about activity observed on Old Hickory Trail
Dave Kleinman:
- Provided an update on Friends of Twinsburg Parks
- Working on updates to the organization’s bylaws
- Secured a volunteer for the secretary board position
- Planning to help with volunteer recruitment for upcoming events
Mountain Bike Trails Discussion
The commission discussed the potential for mountain bike trails in the city:
- Previous unofficial trails were removed due to liability concerns
- The city has requested a formal proposal from interested parties, including local high school students
- Any proposal would need to address liability issues and maintenance responsibilities
Meeting Schedule
The next Parks & Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2025, at 6:30 PM.
