LISBON - The Columbiana County Park District is currently eyeing the property that once housed Camp McKinley in Lisbon.

Park District Vice Chairman Crystal Siembida Boggs tells 21 News the park is in the very early preliminary stages of acquiring the property since they just found out it was available within the past week.

Siembida Boggs says one of the biggest reasons they want the property is that the Park District needs a new building to operate out of.

The Park District's current building at 130 Maple Street is owned by the Columbiana County Engineer's Office, which wants the building back. Siembida Boggs says the former Camp McKinley site has a building that is feasible for the Park District to conduct its operations in.

Furthermore, the Park District wants to reopen the campground for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, since they don't currently have a campground in Columbiana County. This campground would also be open for the public to use.

Additionally, the Park District would acquire the hiking trails and the fishing area on the property. Siembida Boggs says the Park District does have a fishing area at Hellbender Bluff County Park, but this one would be more accessible to the public because it's right next to the parking area.

As it stands, the Park District needs to set up meetings with North Country Trail, which is also looking to purchase the property to connect its trail to the hiking trail on this property.

The Park District also needs to get an appraisal on the property to determine a price tag and do fundraising from there. Anyone interested in being a benefactor for the project can call the Columbiana County Park District at 330-424-9078.