East Palestine residents add more feedback on park renovations
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Earlier this year, Norfolk Southern announced they were funding a $25 million+ park improvement project, following February's train derailment that turned family's lives upside down.
Progress slowly continues on the plans as yet another meeting brought public comment on what people living in town want to see in the park on Wednesday. This comes after some community members demanded more involvement in the planning process with the contracted architecture firm.
Norfolk Southern contracted with architecture firm Michael Baker International, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They previously pledged to hire local workers to complete each construction project.
"Our park is the center of our town," explained Dr. Jessica Rocco, Councilwoman with the Village of East Palestine. "So, our community input is the most important aspect of the whole project."
Architects are finalizing design data as the public demanded more feedback opportunities on what they want to see in the space.
"My question is, what is the long-term maintenance for this park?" asked Brenda Ginder of East Palestine. "There needs to be a long-term maintenance plan that gets rolled out. Can we sustain this park?"
"How about an indoor pool? They could consider an indoor pool," another woman said. "It doesn't have to be mammoth like the regular swimming pool."
Other feedback included handicapped accessible playground equipment, repurposing the former Girl Scout cabins, reserving a space to hook up food trucks for events, and a potential garden space in the park.
Park Board President Amanda Smith previously explained to 21 News the architects never consulted the board on renovations. One park forum was held in June but residents have heard crickets since then. Architects insist public feedback will contribute to the final renderings.
While the project's architects were not present for the meeting on Wednesday, city council tells 21 News that Michael Baker International insists public feedback will contribute to the final renderings.
"I think a lot of the input we received tonight was beneficial," Rocco added. "A lot of what we heard, we've heard before and it has been factored in. We're not at a fine detailed point of things."
The park will feature an amphitheater, aquatic center, pool house, dog park upgrades, new parking and restrooms, and an upgraded baseball field.
Mayor Trent Conway was not present at Wednesday's meeting but previously told 21 News he sees the effort from Norfolk Southern and accepts the park upgrade with open arms, but wants to see more help from the company.
"Norfolk Southern came to us a while ago about this," Conway said. "They had been talking to community members and business owners throughout the town and they were asking what the priorities in town were to upgrade. The park was the biggest one, it's our jewel."
Sports courts, the dog park, and lighting in the park are the first few details crews will start with next year. The final renderings will not be available until next year. Michael Baker International hopes to have 30% of the design process completed by February. This means they will hardline the design, verify the feasibility, confirm stakeholder support, and collect initial estimate data by February.
This is all broken up into 8 phases that will be completed by the end of 2027.
Wednesday's meeting comes as Norfolk Southern announced on Tuesday that it will be ending temporary relocation services for residents of East Palestine and its surrounding communities affected by the train derailment.