The City of Athens could take over operation of Strouds Run State Park this October if city council approves the action, Athens Mayor Ric Abel said during a meeting last night.
Control of the 2,606-acre park can be given to the city through a Governors Deed if Athens City Council votes to take over the park's responsibility and ownership
Abel said, adding that a task force was established to look over a park ownership agreement.
The opportunity to gain control of the park is something we have to at least explore as a city and a community he said.
Ohio's budget for Strouds Run has decreased to $140,000 from a previous budget of more than $200,000, Athens Park and Recreation Director Kevin Schwartzhoff said. Several people in attendance said city oversight of the park would stop it from deteriorating due to lack of funds.
The city will be capable of running the park on a tight budget because it can use existing employees and volunteers to work part-time in maintaining the park, Abel said.
A preliminary budget estimates upkeep of the park will cost the city an additional $174,000 each year. The state Division of Parks and Recreation will contribute $49,500 for first year operation costs, according to the Strouds Run Partnership Agreement. OU's Department of Health and Human Services and Division of Campus Recreation has also offered to contribute $15,000 per year for five years for their use of Strouds Run.
Abel said the city should have an easier time raising money locally than the state government would. The task force aims to raise $500,000 in donations from local interest groups and citizens to start an endowment fund.
The task force agreed that Strouds Run should be maintained as a natural environment, task force member Dave Reiser said.
We don't want to build a big lodge and a golf course Abel said, adding that he hopes Athens residents will continue to enjoy the park.
Volunteers and local park advocates play an important role in the city's ability to maintain the park, Abel said.
The more volunteers we have to work on that
the more this is their park and the more that they take responsibility for it
he said.
Strouds Run will lose its status as a state park if its responsibility is transferred to Athens city, Abel said, adding that the city can take measures to prevent development in the park.
A city charter to take over Strouds Run could also mandate that the park cannot be used for oil drilling, development or logging, he said.
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