Wick Park Improvement Project 2015 Update

Wick Park Improvement Project
2015 Update
OUR BOARD
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
BOARD MEMBERS
PRESIDENT
Pete Asimakopoulos
EVP, Small Business Banking
Youngstown Market President
First National Bank
Andy Profanchik
APCO Construction Company
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
The Rev. Richard Murphy
President
Ursuline High School
David Stillwagon
Chief Executive Officer
Community Corrections
Association
VICE PRESIDENT
Scott Schulick
Vice President – Investments
Stifel Nicolaus
David Turner
Manager, External Affairs
First Energy Corporation
TREASURER
Phil Dennison
Principal
Packer Thomas
SECRETARY
Germaine Bennett
Community Volunteer
Claire Maluso
Community Volunteer
Dominic C. Marchionda
Director of Operations, NYO
Property Group
Donna J. Buzulencia
Realtor
H. William Lawson
Director
Mahoning Valley Historical
Society
James Schultis
President
HMHP Development Foundation
Joe Caruso
President & CEO
Compass Family & Community
Services
John Lapin
Operations Administrator
Ohio One Corporation
Ron Faniro
Principle
Faniro Architects, Inc.
Tom Poole
Principle
Hill, Barth & King, LLC
OUR STAFF
John McNally
Mayor
City of Youngstown
John Slanina
Manager of International
Research
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
Keith Kaiser
Horticulture Director
Mill Creek MetroParks
Louise Gillam
First Ward Councilperson
City of Youngstown
Lynn-Marie Popa
Facilities Supervisor
Youngstown Central Area CIC
Richard Hahn
Principal / Creative Director
Keynote Media Group, LLC
Sharon Letson
Executive Director
Phil Kidd
Associate Director
Martha McCorkle Morgan
Legal Staff
Nancy M. Brett
Administrative Staff
Marian D. Palomaki
Administrative Staff
Diana Plecker
Administrative Staff
OUR VISION & MISSION
Youngstown CityScape is a non-profit
community development organization
dedicated to the improvement of the greater
downtown Youngstown area.
Our mission is to strengthen Youngstown’s
revitalized urban core which connects
downtown, the YSU campus and adjacent
neighborhoods and gateways through
strategic partnerships.
These partnerships seek to improve
infrastructure, amenities and social well-being
in an effort to provide an attractive working and
living environment. A vibrant environment is our
ultimate vision for Youngstown.
OUR THREE AREAS OF FOCUS
DEVELOPMENT & BEAUTIFICATION
Beautification & Maintenance
Corridor Improvements
Park & Green Space Development
Litter Control
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Downtown Area Tours
Marketing & Community Information
Convening Downtown Stakeholders
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Historical Landmark Tours
Educational Workshops
Advocacy
ABOUT WICK PARK
In the 1890s, Youngstown was
and the rest of the board who have aided
Compass Family & Community Services,
These are just the assets that immediately
transforming itself from a sleepy township
the Wick Park Project.”
a care facility providing a wide range of
surround the park. If one were to travel
social services for residents of all ages. It
only a few blocks further they would
into a developing metropolis. With growth
came the grit of industry and the need for
The City and the community would see to
was founded in 1908.
find major community institutions such
an oasis within the city for its citizens.
it that plans and funding for development
Commonwealth Community Kitchen
as Mercy Health and Youngstown State
would move forward and they did.
Incubator, a commercial kitchen incubator
University. The park is only a few short
servicing local food entrepreneurs. The
minutes from downtown Youngstown as
well.
In 1890, members of the Wick family
donated wooded land to the City of
Today as it was then, the 34-acre park is
campus also includes the Elm Street
Youngstown for the development of
considered the crown jewel and anchor
Café and a soon-to-launch local food
Wick Park. Over the next seven years,
of the historic Wick Park neighborhood. It
cooperative.
Given its history and surroundings, Wick
investment in Wick Park’s development
also remains the most utilized park in the
The city’s most diverse concentration
Park remains a unique and important asset
progressed slowly as the growing central
city’s system.
of religious institutions. They include
not only for the neighborhood in which
Richard Brown Memorial Methodist,
it resides but also the city at-large. As a
Over the years, the park’s magnificence
Congregation Rodef Shalom, First
result, Youngstown CityScape considers
In 1897, Youngstown faced the possibility
would attract some of the city’s most
Unitarian Universalist, and Nevels Temple
its ongoing improvement a priority.
of losing Wick Park. As part of the initial
notable residents to the neighborhood. A
Church in God and Christ. All are located
lease agreement, it was required that
few include Ohio Civil War-era governor
in one block on Elm Street, the park’s
$10,000 ($286,000 in today’s dollars) be
David Tod; physical therapist James
eastern boundary.
invested to improve the property each year
‘Bonesetter’ Reese; brewer George
for five years. However, at the end of eight
Renner; architect Charles H. Owsley; film
years, only $9,000 had been invested.
moguls the Warner brothers; and actor Ed
business district became a priority.
O’Neill.
On January 21, 1898, The Youngstown
Vindicator reported the following as the
In addition to notable residents and some
City raised the prospect of defaulting on
of the city’s finest residential architecture,
the lease:
the assets and institutions that surround
the park are also quite impressive. They
“This afternoon, City Commissioner E.
include:
Kurz exhibited an elaborate map of Wick
Stambaugh Auditorium, built in 1927 and
Park, the drawing giving some idea of how
considered one of the finest concert halls
the pleasurable grounds will appear when
and special event facilities in the region.
they are finally completed. When the park
Park Vista which has been named one
is completed it will make visitors feel like
of the top retirement communities in the
giving more credit to Commissioner Kurz
nation for service and quality.
PROJECT HISTORY
As Youngstown has struggled with population decline over
the past several decades, many of the city’s parks have seen
less investment as well. This includes Wick Park.
ideas based on the community’s feedback. CUDC also
produced schematics and cost estimates for each project
component.
In 2008, Youngstown CityScape, the Raymond J. Wean
Foundation and the City of Youngstown Parks Department
initiated a public planning process for a new capital campaign.
The intent was to identify projects which would enhance the
aesthetic and functional quality of the park given the fact that
the last significant upgrade was in 1982.
The final plan included over $2.8 million of recommendations.
Since that time, Youngstown CityScape and its project
partners have raised over $371,000 for numerous
improvements. They have included:
The planning process consisted of a steering committee
which included elected officials, key city staff, community
organizations, business owners, and neighborhood leaders.
Several community-wide input meetings followed. These
meetings involved the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative
(CUDC) which was hired to advise and conceptualize various
GATEWAY LANDSCAPING
CityScape contracted with Second Nature Landscaping to
redesign the gateway entrances on each corner of the park.
This overhaul included new layout designs, plantings, stone
features, shrubs and trees.
These sites are landscaped and maintained each year as part
of CityScape’s annual Streetscape initiative.
Community members provide input for park improvements at Park Vista.
SIGNAGE
CityScape partnered with the Wick Park Neighborhood
Association to install three ‘Welcome To Historic Wick Park’
gateway signs. This project was funded by the Raymond J.
Wean Foundation’s Neighborhood SUCCESS grant program.
The purpose of the signage project was to create a place
making effect while also complimenting the new gateway
landscaping.
This project was further complimented by the City of
Youngstown who used recouped demolition funding to
purchase and install twenty-two historic district street signs
surrounding the park.
IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE
In 2012, the Youngstown Foundation’s Hine Memorial Fund
along with the Raymond J. Wean Foundation made a very
New gateway
landscaping at the
Park/Elm street
entrance.
important investment in the Wick Park Improvement Project
when they provided funding for critical infrastructure repair.
These repairs included creating dedicated and accessible
parking near the pavilion, extensive sidewalk repair and the
construction of service road security gates which the park
previously did not possess.
Due to these improvements in the park, the Parks
Department recently reactivated the southeast gateway
water fountain and began work on an interior service road
resurfacing project in 2015.
These additions literally laid the groundwork for future project
opportunities in the central portion of the park (see next
section regarding playground).
Members of Mahoning County YouthBuild repair park benches.
For these improvements, Youngstown CityScape was
awarded a Dominion Northeast Ohio Community Impact
Award.
UNIVERSALLY DESIGNED PLAYGROUND
In 2014, the Youngstown Foundation’s Hine Memorial Fund
once again made a major contribution when they funded the
installation of a universally designed playground just west
of the pavilion. The playground features a recreation design
that can accommodate children with physical disabilities in
addition to those without. It was installed in the fall of 2014
with the help of volunteers from the United Way’s Day of
Caring event.
The welcome signage project was
a partnership with the Wick Park
Neighborhood Association.
Since its opening, the playground has been well used
by many families from the area as well as the City of
Youngstown’s summer camp series. Project partners
included Wee Can Move Too, Inc. and the City of Youngstown
Parks Department.
ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS
CityScape has also partnered with other community
organizations such Treez Please, Mahoning County
YouthBuild and the United Way to tackle smaller but
important projects. These have included replanting trees
in barren sections of the external walking path as well
as repairing and repainting park furniture and exercise
equipment stations.
New sidewalks and a parking area were installed around the
pavilion to create greater access for patrons.
Project partners cut the ribbon on the
new universally designed playground.
New security gates were installed on Park
Avenue and Elm Street.
FUTURE PROJECT GOALS
FUTURE PROJECT GOALS
While important improvements have been made to
Wick Park over the past several years, much work still
remains to make it the high quality park it once was
and can be again.
The following are a few specific examples of projects
in which Youngstown CityScape and its partner
organizations will work together to complete moving
forward:
RECREATION CENTER RESTORATION
Wick Park’s recreation center (a.k.a. ‘The Pavilion’)
was built in 1957 as an answer to a growing need
for a post-war community gathering space. Today,
it remains the most used facility in the City of
Youngstown’s network of recreational amenities.
However, critical renovation work is needed for
electrical wiring, ventilation and general structural
repair.
Such improvement work will ensure a long life span
for the pavilion. However, no single entity has the
resources to take on the costs associated with this
project alone. Partners will include Youngstown
Rotary and the City of Youngstown among others.
DEAD TREE REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT
There are a number of trees in Wick Park which are
very old and are approaching the end their natural
life cycle. As the vitality of these trees decline, their
liability increases as branches and other debris
become potential hazards to park patrons. They also
create an unsightly appearance.
As a result, a professional survey must be conducted.
This survey will provide a listing of not only the variety
and conditions of trees, but also which trees need
to be removed by the Parks Department before
they become a hazard. Such information will allow
personnel to take a more strategic and proactive
approach to removal rather than a reactionary one.
And while tree removal is needed, tree replacement is
also important. This is particularly true regarding the
tree lawn on Elm Street where many older trees in the
park have been removed due to age. Their removal
has created a barren stretch. This is an area in which
hundreds of runners, walkers and casual strollers use
daily during most of the year.
Wick Park’s pavilion hall is used
quite frequently but needs
structural upgrades.
Over the past several years, Treez Please has worked
to address this issue by planting over a dozen new
trees, mostly on Park Ave. However, there is room and
need for at least a dozen more trees on Elm Street.
CityScape will work with Treez Please and others to
continue work on this project.
Dead trees and fallen debris are
located throughout nearly all
areas of the park.
pavilion. These areas have a natural aesthetic and can
easily accommodate at least twenty 48” benches.
Bright Idea Shops (Akron) uses recycled materials
while offering a high quality and modern design.
A barren tree lawn occupies the majority of Wick
Park’s eastern Elm Street border.
PARK FURNITURE
For a park of its size, perhaps the one thing Wick Park
lacks the most is a place to sit. This lack of seating
discourages amplified activity throughout the park.
Currently, the greatest area of seating is located in a
single area near the southeast entrance built in 1982.
It includes a number of ornate benches in a relatively
disinvested area. There are also numerous picnic
tables under the outdoor pavilion and several random
benches in rather poor condition located sporadically
throughout the park.
There are many locations throughout the park where
benches could be incorporated to help create a more
complete experience. The most ideal location is
along the interior walking and running trail as well as
the newly improved sidewalk areas that lead to the
Benches such as this one near Broadway Ave are
outdated, uninviting and should be replaced with a
higher quality design.
Securely mounted into the ground to avoid unwanted
movement, these benches by Bright Idea Shops
(Akron) are made with recycled materials, steel
support frames and include a color design which also
coheres with the park’s natural theme.
The park’s interior walking
trail and new sidewalks that
lead to the pavilion provide
an ideal location for new
bench seating.
In addition to these benches, numerous picnic tables
will be added to multiple areas throughout the park
such as the naturally shaded southwest corner near
Stambaugh Auditorium, the northwest corner near
Park Vista and the front lawn area located near the
pavilion via the Park Ave vehicular entrance.
The southwest entrance near Stambaugh Auditorium, northwest corner
near Park Vista, and the Park Ave entrance near the pavilion are ideal
locations for table seating.
These hexagon shaped picnic tables are also made
from recycled materials with stainless steel fasteners
are ideal for children and adults alike.
There are many good examples of modern outdoor
exercise equipment which many parks are utilizing
today. Most new models feature dynamic exercise
options as well as easier to maintain materials such as
rubber flooring instead of gravel/grass and stainless
steel frames and fixtures instead of wood and rustprone metal.
Improving Existing Gateways, Sidewalks &
Pathways
While important improvements have been made to key
infrastructure near the pavilion and adjacent areas,
there are still many other areas throughout the park
that need repaired, improved or removed.
Additionally, many other parks throughout the
nation have moved away from sporadically located
equipment stations. Instead, a dedicated outdoor
fitness area where all equipment is concentrated is
a preferred option. This allows for a convenient and
comprehensive access as well as easier maintenance
for park staff.
These tables are also used by nearby St. Elisabeth Hospital’s outdoor
fitness area.
OUTDOOR FITNESS STATION
Wick Park’s exercise equipment is still relatively well
utilized but also quite dated and requires annual
maintenance such as weeding of gravel lots and
repainting of wood framing which will continue to
deteriorate with time. However, the equipment does
remain a valuable asset to the park as it increases
positive activity and promotes health and well-being.
As is the case with many of the other features of the
park, it simply needs updated.
An ideal location for such a station in Wick Park would
be the Park/Elm street gateway where a children’s
playground was once located but removed over a
decade ago.
Conclusion
The former Elm Street playground area is wellsuited for a new outdoor fitness station.
This area still maintains its sectional boundary and
level landscape and is located along the heavily
utilized running and walking trail making it a prime
location for a new outdoor fitness area.
An aged and unmaintained exercise station on Park Ave.
Examples include:
Replacement of gateway sidewalks.
Repaving of the internal service road as well as
removal of barricades.
Repurposing or removal of abandoned pathways.
Repurposing or improvement of tennis courts.
Improvement of brickwork, benches and fountain in
Park/Elm street gateway.
These are several examples of practical upgrades
to Wick Park that are achievable and will greatly
enhance its appearance, functionality, and usage.
As the city continues to push forward with its efforts
to revitalize, Youngstown CityScape and its partners
will continue to do their part in ensuring that Wick
Park – one of the city’s great assets – plays a role in
the comprehensive effort.
OUR PARTNERS
CityScape depends upon the generous donations of committed businesses, institutions and individuals for its continued operation. We encourage you to join them.
CORNERSTONE ($10,000+)
John S. and Doris M. Andrews Memorial
Fund
Community Corrections Association
First National Bank
Hine Memorial Fund
Mercy Health
The Raymond John Wean Foundation
The Youngstown Foundation
AMERICAN BEAUTY LEVEL
($2,500-$9,999) Covelli Centre
Covelli Enterprises
First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown
NYO Property Group
Ohio One Corporation
Youngstown State University
EVERGREEN ($1,000-$2,499)
Brilex Services, Inc.
CT Consultants
Catholic Diocese of Youngstown
The DeBartolo Corporation/Ms. Denise
DeBartolo York
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.
Fibus Family Foundation
First Energy
Hill, Barth and King, LLC
Italian Heritage Foundation of Youngstown
OH WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones
Children’s Center for Science and
Technology
Packer Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Julius Bennett
Atty. and Mrs. Al Fleming
GREEN THUMB ($500-$999)
Akron Children’s Hospital
Compass Family and Community Services
Alex Downie & Sons Company
Farmer’s Trust
Fireline, Inc.
Fred Martin Ford/Mercedes Benz
Green Youngstown /
Garden Club of Youngstown
Huntington Bank
Kiwanis Club of Youngstown
ms consultants
A. P. O’Horo Company
Parker Hannifin Corporation/Mobile
Cylinder Division
The Rotary Club of Youngstown
Sam’s Club
Stifel Nicolaus
Vallourec Star
Western Reserve Transit Authority
Youngstown Central Area Community
Improvement Corporation
Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber
Atty. and Mrs. Paul Dutton
Mr. John Slanina
ADOPT-A-POT ($250-$499)
Allen’s Pharmaserv, Inc.
Burger Travel Service
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
Dooney’s Downtown, LLC
Downtown Circle Deli
Great Garage Doors
Hynes Industries
International Towers
Mahoning Commons Association
Olsvasky & Jaminet Architects
Solid Platforms, Inc.
St. Edward Church
Valley Electric/Evets Oil & Gas
Youngstown Business Incubator
Youngstown Fence, Inc.
Mr. Pete Asimakopoulos
Ms. Bonnie Deutsch Burdman
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Caruso
Mr. and Mrs. Phil Dennison
Ms. Jeanne M. Foley
Rev. Richard Murphy
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Ricchiuti
Dr. and Mrs. David Sweet
FRIEND OF STREETSCAPE ($100-$249)
Andrews Avenue Business Group
Behnke Associates
Belleria Pizza & Italian Restaurants
Better Business Bureau of the Mahoning
Valley
Butler Memorial Presbyterian Church
Canteen Services of Steel Valley
City Machine Technologies
DJV Carpet & Supplies, Inc.
“Joe” Dickey Electric
DiRusso’s Sausage, Inc.
Edward’s Flowers
Ronald Cornell Faniro Architects, Inc.
Feather Your Nest With…!
Green, Haines and Sgambati, LPA
Henderson, Covington and Messenger
Holy Apostles Parish
International Union of Operating Engineers
Local #66
Kinnick Funeral Home
Knights of Columbus, Immacolata Council
15086
John A McNally, III Co., LPA
Mahoning County Convention and Visitors
Bureau
Paul Milligan and Associates
Murphy Contracting Company
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Bascillica
R.S.C. YO. / CL. Offices FCU
Rulli Brothers
Sherman Creative Promotions, Inc.
Simco Management
Superior Beverage
USA Parking Systems, Inc.
Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown
Wm Penn Branch 28
West Side Merchants & Civic Association,
Inc.
YWCA of Youngstown
Youngstown Parrot Head Club
Mrs. Robert Barrett
Ms. Jacqueline Bibo
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Cochran
Mr. and Mrs. John Fleming
Mr. and Mrs. Artis Gillam, Sr.
Rev. and Mrs. John Horner
Mr. Carl G. James, Jr., Esq.
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Kaiser
Mrs. Virginia Constance Knecht
Atty. Richard McLaughlin
Atty. and Mrs. Dan Letson
Mayor and Mrs. John McNally
Ms. Katherine Mabry
Mr. and Mrs. John Maluso
Ms. Lily Martuccio
Mrs. Nancy Kearns Morris
Mr. Hunter Morrison
Dr. Rebecca West Natale, DDS
Mrs. Donna Naples
Mr. Thomas Petzinger
Mrs. Toula Phillips
Mr. and Mrs. John Popa
Mr. Andy Profanchik
Mr. Frank A. Rulli, Jr.
Mr. Charles Sammarone
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schulick
Mr. Scott Schulick
Mr. F. William Scragg and Ms. Nancy Kearns
Morris
Ms. Katherine Seminara
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Sherman
Msgr. Robert J. Siffrin
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Sniderman
Mr. and Mrs. James Brann Young
We also thank the many businesses,
organizations, government entities and
individuals who have helped CityScape
through seed money, in-kind
contributions and volunteer efforts.