Trending
HOWLAND – Members of the Trumbull County MetroParks Board are preparing the budget for the parks next year and reviewing what they will present to the Trumbull County commissioners.
MetroParks Director Zachary Svette said the board is in compliance with what the commissioners asked by separating the capital requests from the park budget, which is for operation and maintenance of the parks. He said the metroparks board is seeking $167,000 for park operations in 2027.
Board President Randy Fabrizio said $300,000 is being sought for the Braceville cabin restoration project and $50,000 is being requested for repairs to the bike trail. There is also need for $50,000 for an ADA-compliant ramp at the park office off North River Road.
He said the commissioners approved $131,000 for the metroparks last year when the board requested $142,000. Fabrizio said the additional funds being requested for 2027 are for operations, capital projects and staffing.
Fabrizio and board member Robert Ward plan to present their funding needs directly to commissioners. The board wants to be proactive before the county's November budget hearings, which have already begun. There is a deadline of March 31 for commissioners to make funding decisions.
Key funding needs identified are two additional part-time staff positions and equipment, plus ongoing maintenance for expanded bike trails. Fabrizio said the board will first present operational funding needs, then the $350,000 capital projects request.
Svette said the final phase of the Greenway Bike Trail was completed with a recent ribbon cutting for the connection between Niles and Warren. Fabrizio said because there is now an additional four miles of bike trail, more funds are needed its maintenance.
He said funds were obtained for paving the lots on the 328-acre Braceville nature property off state Route 5, which allows people to hunt on both sides of the river.
The next board meeting is at 4 p.m. Dec. 10.