The Athens Conservancy

Parks; The Benefits Are Endless…

We all enjoy or at least appreciate Ohio's public parks. According to the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, "their benefits are endless." These areas are places to play, rest, and reconnect. Whether you play soccer, ride a bike, or just like to sit under a shade tree at lunchtime, you have probably done it in a public park.

While southeast Ohio enjoys the largest chunk of public land in Ohio, park users often lament that these lands are under increasing pressure from the competing interests of sports leagues, hikers, four-wheelers, bikers, birders, horse clubs, hunters and so on.

What's more, among all fifty states, Ohio is ranked 48th in public land per capita. With that in mind, it is becoming obvious that more public space is needed to allow the pursuit of the many diverse activities that happen on public park land.

Mark Twain said, "Buy land, they ain't makin' any more of it." Today it is even more evident that we live in a shrinking world with less space for all the things we need and want. But here in southeast Ohio where topography guides land use, potential park space could occur in flood areas and steep slopes where development shouldn't happen anyway. Simply put, there is space here in southeast Ohio for more parks and other protected open space. It doesn't have to limit development.

In fact, when business and industry court an area for possible development, they look at parks as community health indicators. Nice parks can mean that an area is a nice place to live. That's where the credible businesses and industries want to settle. After all, what CEO wants to settle in an unhealthy community.

One other impediment to establishing parks is expense. But parks are inexpensive to maintain, unless buildings like recreation centers and other infrastructure are constructed. All things considered, most towns spend very little on their parks when compared to road, water, sewer, safety, fire and police expenses.

One way a community can establish parks is by forming a Park District. This is a board that can be formed by referendum or by court appointment. This board can receive property, hire employees, apply for grants, and even levy taxes by referendum.

Instituting a Park District can be a great opportunity for landowners who want land options and for the community at large. Often this form of organizational infrastructure is politically simple in that it focuses on the land it manages and the constituents that use the land. This group can accept land donations and work with property owners. It can organize user groups, provide education, and has expertise in park planning and land use issues.

From at-risk young people who unleash youthful energy at public sporting fields to weekend horsemen and lunchtime sunbathers, everyone benefits from parks. The time has come to make a connection with nature and our own physical and mental wellness. Please learn more about parks and support the ones in your community, and support the formation of a County Parks District.