The Lebanon Board of Public Works and Safety approved a contract to begin the process of implementing a new park, temporarily deemed “Westside” park, on the old Street Department property at 1301 Lafayette Ave. in Lebanon on Monday.
After unveiling its new Department of Public Works on Nov. 20, the City of Lebanon teased the possibility of utilizing the previous Street Department property as the foundation of a new local park for the community of Lebanon to utilize. On Monday, the city officially approved a contract that will begin the implementation of the park in the area. The site consists of around 3.3 acres along Lafayette Avenue, and Mayor Matt Gentry asked community members for their input on the amenities they expect for the new park.
Community members took to social media to suggest different amenities and layouts for the park. One community member suggested a walking path along the outer ring of the park with a wide bike lane for leisure strolls around the park, ADA-compliant playground equipment as well as a fenced-in splash pad, benches, swings, picnic tables and shelters, a skatepark and an area that provides information about Lebanon’s history.
Another community member suggested an indoor shooting range with a food counter, stating that the parks available around Lebanon already provide the community with enough walking paths and trails, encouraging the city to “step outside the box with some visionary thinking and actions.”
Numerous community members suggested a skate park or a rollerskating rink. One community member challenged the city planners to make “a skate park better than Frankfort’s.” Other community members focused upon the idea of developing the area into a water park, including a lazy river, cabanas and more alongside the splash pad. One community member mentioned the possibility for an area dedicated to dogs for a smaller and accessible “bark park” along Lafayette Avenue.
Other community members mentioned ideas that challenged the typical idea of a community park, such as implementing an animal sactuary or petting zoo, similar to the petting zoo present at TPA Park in Frankfort.
Some community members recommended the basics, such as adding trees, restrooms, basketball courts, softball fields, pickleball courts, playground equipment and other options that would contribute to a “pocket park.”
Other community members focused heavily on accessibility for Lebanon residents, such as wheelchair-accessible equipment, ADA-compliant sidewalks, a LAMP pecs board, which serves as a visual aid for non-verbal children, and much more.
One community member focused on providing the community with the opportunities that are not available in the near vicinity, stating “since Harney (Elementary) is down the road, probably everything they don’t have.”
Some community members shared their opinions against the implementation of a new park, stating that the city should “just rent it out.” Other community members stated that the park should help with drainage issues that they have experienced near the proposed park in their residences.
Gentry encouraged community members to attend public engagement sessions and expect surveys in 2024 to officially share their opinions on the subject.