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NILES -- The Niles Park Board is seeking bids for a planned multiuse play area at the northeastern corner of Waddell Park.
Park Director Mark Pallante said he is advertising for bids for a contractor to do the work.
He said when a contractor is selected he would like to see the project completed by the fall.
Pallante said pickleball courts, bocce, large chess pieces area, cornhole, climbing mountain and basketball area have been proposed for the recreational area.
"There will be a variety of things there for people to take part in," he said. "People like pickleball, cornhole and bocce. They will all be in one location."
He said a children's play area will be moved from its current location.
The park is also seeking requests for qualifications from engineering firms for turf at Wilder Field's outfield at Waddell Park. That project will also include concrete work at the ballfield, bases and fence replacement.
Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz said the city was to receive $950,000 in state funds, which were approved by the Ohio Senate. Those funds, he said, can be used for the outfield turf at Wilder Field.
In recent years, Waddell Park has seen the addition of a splash pad turf and upgrades at several playing fields.
In other matters, board member Harry Salapata said he has seen much activity at Riverside Park and noted that a recent event had nearly 50 people in canoes travel from Niles to Girard.
Salapata said the canoe and kayak trip along the Mahoning River took more than two hours.
The board had approved seeking requests for proposals for kayak and canoe rentals and transportation service for Riverside Park.
Pallante said several companies have contacted the park office about kayak rentals and classes.
Board member Heidi Barker said water-safety courses would be good to offer.
Also, Pallante received a letter from a city resident who lives near Stevens Park, asking park officials if anything could be done about children riding their bikes through his yard to get into the park mostly after park hours. He said there have also been disc golf players in his yard.
Pallante said police do patrol the parks. He told the board the disc golf area is more than 50 feet from residents' homes.
Board member Jaclyn Burke suggested a bike path for the children to ride on at the park.
Pallante said there used to be a bike path, but it is gone and fencing has been placed where it once was.
In other business at the July meeting, the board:
• Entered into a contract with Olympic Dreams Gymnastics for a gymnastics tournament April 9-11 at the city's Wellness Center.
• Heard from Pallante that "No Grilling" signs have been posted at the splash pad after issues with people using charcoal grills on the splashpad.
• Heard from Pallante that Sprint Turf will be doing the inside turf replacement at the Wellness Center with work to be done by the end of August.