Northfield Center Township Trustees Special Meeting 4-19-2021: Trustees Adopt Rules for Improved Beacon Hills Park

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By Emily Chesnic

Northfield Center Township has rules in place for people’s safety and enjoyment at the revamped Beacon Hills Park, located at the intersection of Pleasant View Drive and Beacon Boulevard.

At the April 19 special meeting, the trustees officially adopted regulations for the park, as the township currently is completing its NatureWorks grant agreement to renovate the shared public space.

The park was closed for the enhancement project, with the township securing a $114,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to help fund the park configurations.

The work included striping the tennis court so it can also be used for wiffle ball and pickleball; improving the basketball court; adding a bocce ball court; expanding the playground for children; and improving parking and drainage.

The trustees are asking individuals to be courteous and respectful of others and help keep the park clean, using provided reciprocals for trash.

According to the adopted rules, the park will be open from 7 a.m. to dusk.

Additionally, the regulations state the following: no firearms, fireworks or projectiles should be discharged; no feeding, hunting, trapping or disturbing wildlife; no motorized vehicles, except on the paved parking lots; no disrupting or harming trees, flowers, shrubs or other natural features; no possession of alcohol or drugs or being under the influence of them; no camping, littering or hitting golf balls; no open fires anywhere, with grill cooking only allowed outside of the pavilion; dogs must be on a leash and under control; no parking on the grass; no panhandling, solicitation or engaging in commercial activity; and no use of staples, nails or tape in the pavilion.

The rules further state the newly constructed pavilion can be used on a first come, first use basis by township reservation and reiterates no cooking, open flames or propane can be used within 15 feet of the pavilion.

Arbor Day Event

Also, at the brief special meeting, the trustees accepted a Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) grant award in the amount $750 to host a community event.

The township will hold an Arbor Day event on May 1 at 10 a.m., with more details to be forthcoming.

At the event, the trees will be planted in memory and honor of Sam Ciocco and Rick Youel.

Ciocco served as township administrator for 24 years, passing away in 2018. Youel, who passed away this year, served the township road department as service director/road superintendent.

Other Meeting News:

• The trustees approved participating in the Summit County Engineer’s Catch Basin Repair Program this year.

• The trustees held an executive session at the end of the meeting to privately discuss the sale of township property.