BAZETTA — Imagination Station in Bazetta Township Park is scheduled to close Sept. 8 so it can be demolished and work can begin on a new playground.

Residents of the community are planning a farewell party from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 23 at the park to celebrate the 30 years Imagination Station has been part of the community. The park is located at 3312 Warren Meadville Road and the fencing there will remain.

Mary Gearhart, one of the organizers for the farewell event, said it is open to the public.

Because of its age and 30 years of use, the play area will be removed and a new play area that is handicapped accessible will open in spring 2026.

Trustee Chairman Mike Hovis said the township has secured $300,000 in state capital budget funds for the new playground with the help of state representatives.

He said trustees did whatever they could over the years to make improvements to Imagination Station to extend its usage life from what was projected to be 25 years to 30 years.

“It was only supposed to be for 25 years, but with maintenance and improvements its usage was able to be extended for five more years,” Hovis said.

Work on the new playground will be done by Snyder Recreation Inc. of North Royalton.

Hovis said the company also did the playground at Mosquito Lake State Park, which also is in Bazetta.

The township will accept applications for park shelter rentals through Sept. 7 at bazettatwp.org or 330-637-5503.

Gearhart said residents also are planning a Bazetta Day Sept. 13 on state Route 305 near the township administration building to host fundraising for improvements at the park.

In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, trustees:

• Approved Groover Roofing at $34,800 for roof replacement at the police department with work to be done this month.

• Reported the county auditor’s failure to deposit tax money has resulted in the township incurring $13,354 in legal fees and numerous administrative hours looking into and responding to public record requests and other inquiries.

• Accepted a proposal from JED Services for the Millennium Boulevard camera project at $2,495 for installation of four security cameras to replace two out of date cameras that were previously donated to the police department. T-Mobile is the internet service provider for the project.

• Approved an agreement with International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 377 that the township will cover costs for new road workers to get their CDL license if they agree to work two years for the township. Otherwise, the person will repay the township.

• Approved RT Vernal Paving at $21,750 for partial depth repair and paving of Cadwallader Sonk, Ravine Run and Timberline Drive when paving is also being done on McCleary Jacoby Road.

• Approved a proposal from JED Services for police station server / internet upgrade at $1,754.