ASHLAND – The Ashland County Park District is going before voters for a third try at a levy to keep the district’s 16 parks open and thriving.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Ashland County voters will decide the fate of 0.5-mill levy that would provide operating costs and would fund improvements for the next five years.

The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $17.50 per year, and senior citizens would pay only $13.50 per year thanks to the homestead exemption.

“It’s the best value there is. When you think you get all that value for the kids, what more can you do for the kids of our community? Give them creeks and woods and fields to play in. Get them off their electronic devices and out playing,” park district commissioner Bob DeSanto said.

The park district has operated on grants, donations and volunteer time since it was founded 14 years ago, an impressive accomplishment according to DeSanto.

“When you think that they built the park district out of nothing, it’s really a miracle,” DeSanto said.

However, the park district is stretched too thin now and commissioners will face tough choices if voters do not approve the levy next week.

“If this doesn’t pass, we’re going to have to make some choices on which parks we’re going to have to close. We don’t want to do that, but that’s a real possibility for us,” DeSanto said.

In 2013, county voters defeated a 0.1-mill levy by a 6,211 to 5,118 vote. A year later, voters again said no to the levy, with 7,965 votes against the levy and 7,004 votes in favor of the levy.

DeSanto said the commissioners decided to ask for a larger levy this time because of what the public told them they wanted in a survey the district conducted.

“One of the things that was clear was the citizens liked the park, they wanted the green space, and they really enjoyed the family atmosphere where they could take their family out in a safe place. But they needed improvements,” DeSanto said. “They wanted parking lots so they could get to the parks easily. They wanted trails that they could easily walk and so their kids could easily walk, too.”

Other infrastructure issues that need addressed include building bathrooms at the parks and more paved trails.

“We need to make it easier for people to use the parks,” DeSanto said.

The future of the parks is important to the continued growth of Ashland County, DeSanto believes.

“When you go into a community that is a thriving community, you tend to see people recreating in the outdoors. You’ll see people jogging. You’ll see people bicycle riding. You’ll see people walking. You’ll see people enjoying the outdoors. That seems to be almost any town that is vibrant has that and I think that’s an important part of Ashland and it’s good for the souls of our people, and the health of our people,” DeSanto said.