Kinsman looks to form park board
KINSMAN — Trustees are looking at forming a park board to oversee the township’s parks and to look for grants.
Also on the drawing board is relocating the township’s police station.
A park board could also help determine what should be done with the former high school property near Church Street and a small park near property belonging to Ohio Edison, said Greg Leonhard, trustee.
“We could see what grants may be available to enhance those properties and other greenspace in the township,” he said.
The board would be five to seven volunteer members who could make recommendations and bring ideas about the parks to trustees.
“We had a park board years ago and may see if some of those people would like to serve,” Leonhard said.
Trustees are also studying moving the police station from its location at the intersection of state Routes 5 and 7 to the township hall on state Route 5 near Vernon. The police building is old and falling apart, Leonhard said.
“It is not cost effective to fix the building due to its age,” he said.
Leonhard said if the decision is to move the police station, trustees would look at having an additional garage for vehicles and equipment near the hall.
Also, the $198,169 sidewalk project from the township square north to Church Street will continue into March and should be done in the spring. Sidewalks were installed on Church Street last year. The west side of Main Street will also get sidewalks.
The project is being done to connect the Kinsman Free Public Library and other central township destinations by sidewalk. The project will replace and add new walkways from the west side of Market Square, north up Route 7, across Church Street, across Ridge Road and continue west to the library.
The township’s share, about $40,000, will come from the general fund. Work is being done by Foust Construction.