Residents ready to invest in Father Marinaro Park
Thursday's meeting at Father Marinaro Park gathered more than perspective, and it may have even begun a full-fledged organization.
Cindy Parker, a resident who grew up on Butler's South Side, organized the meeting, and was surprised that nearly 40 people attended.
“We're here today to work together for one purpose,” Parker said. “Every playground in this town should be fit for every kid in the neighborhood to play in.”
After the meeting, Parker stood with fellow park leaders Eric Mahler, committee director for the skate park, and Norman Felmley, president of the softball organization, to talk about future meetings and how to create a cleaner and fixed-up future for the park.
Local businessman Denny Offstein was one of those in attendance. He pointed out the rotting boards at the skate park along with other areas around the park that could use improvement. He said all the wood needs to be replaced with treated lumber that will last much longer.
“Really, this is a beautiful place; it really is,” Offstein said. “I think the kids of the City of Butler should be a priority.”
Although the meeting was not a fundraising event, the Hot Dog Shoppe donated $1,000 to the cause.
Owners Ryan Covert and Erik Hulick attended the meeting.
“It just seems like a forgotten thing,” Covert said. “I like the long shots. I'd rather put money there than the sure thing.”
Councilman Jeff Smith represented the city at the meeting. He said the park was his responsibility, but having little funding and manpower has made it difficult to tackle the many projects at Father Marinaro.
“It's people like you who are really going to make a difference,” Smith said.
“When you invest yourself in this neighborhood, it can make a difference.”
Ralph Pincek said he is not happy about how the park has been managed.
He said the city has not taken care of the park, and when it does care for the area, it either does a bad job or makes the situation worse.
“I come down here six times a week,” Pincek said. “I live right there. I see what's going on.”
Mary Kerner, a Butler Arbors resident, said she has fond memories of the park during its golden era in the few years after the skate park was built.
She said many Arbors residents enjoy the park's daily activity, and they see that it can return to what it was with a little effort.
“I'm glad that they had this meeting, and the cleanup is needed for all the kids,” Kerner said.
Some, like skateboard enthusiast Ken Clowes who moved to Butler about five years ago, see potential for more.
“This is the first attraction I gravitated toward in Butler,” Clowes said. “I would like to see a world-class skate park in this community within the next five years.”
Clowes said a bigger park with more concrete, especially for the ramps, would interest more than just local skaters.
He said it could bring contests to the park, which would bring tourists and their money.
“This skate park really has the potential to be an attraction outside the community.”
