There will be a community forum and open house in Ashland to talk about the possibility of developing a new, 45-acre park on land donated to the city in 1978. The forum is scheduled for Saturday, January 18th at 1 p.m. in the city commission chambers.
The city was deeded the land off Ashland Avenue by the late Charles and Betty Russell, who wanted to see it become a nature preserve. Benjamin Bitter is Ashland’s city manager. He says the meeting should give city leaders some idea what kind of facility people would like to see.
“What I want to do is make sure we get an in-depth look at the potential of developing a park. Obviously, there are costs associated with it, there are risks, there are liabilities…there are also benefits. You know, you can have a healthier community, you can have a more beautiful community, or at least part of the community that people can enjoy that maybe previously they haven’t.” –Benjamin Bitter
Initial suggestions for the proposed park have included hiking or walking trails.
