MANSFIELD, Ohio — Spring and summer projects for Mansfield’s Parks and Recreation Department are lining up quick, said Manager Mark Abrams.
Some of those projects include resurfacing tennis courts in Maple Lake and Liberty parks, building a new pavilion in South Park and resurfacing the walking trail for Fox Glen park. The department is also involved in the Hooked On Fishing program through Ocie Hill’s Summer Enrichment Camp.
The department also recently received a grant from Richland Public Health that will allow them to replace swing sets, picnic tables, basketball backboards, benches and drinking fountain for certain parks.
“We have some beautiful parks,” said Abrams. “Some of them just need some attention. We have 35 parks [in Mansfield] and probably 28 of them need something.”
Abrams was admitted as manager for the department in January 2014 after the city’s P.R.I.D.E. tax levy passed. The department had been defunded for five years, according to Abram, and before that had around 20 full-time workers. Now they are down to three.
“We’re going to be hiring four seasonal workers soon. There’s just a lot to do. We won’t run out of work,” said Abrams.
Abrams worked as a Mansfield police and fire dispatcher for 20 years before managing the Parks and Recreation Department. He said he is happy the city got the department back and that he can help.
Friends of the Mansfield Parks (FOMP), a project spearheaded by Downtown Mansfield Inc., intends to have work days in the coming weeks and months. They are hoping for volunteers for the work days.
For a schedule of upcoming work days, visit the Parks and Recreation Department website or call 419-522-9801.
