Councilman Puts Little League Parking, Recreation Rate Changes on the Table

Ward 1 City Councilman Doug Foltz restarted the conversation over additional little league parking at Monday's Council meeting when he suggested the city spend $50,000 to help pay for a gravel lot off East Maple Street. 

The proposed parking area — a 2.9-acre plot owned by the city — is grass now, but could be graded and covered with gravel, said Ward 4 Councilman Jon Snyder. The area would fit roughly 80 cars and provide extra parking for North Canton Little League and Hoover Trail parking.

The necessary money, Foltz said, could be taken out of a deceased resident's $150,000 bequest.

With nearly 300 existing parking spots, the North Canton Planning Commission rejected the parking expansion plan in March, but Foltz said it's needed given that residents will park on Walsh Avenue SE and unsafely cross East Maple. 

Council appears ready to overturn the planning commission's decision and build the lot, according to cantonrep.com.

In other news, Foltz suggested Saturday rental fees at the Price Park Civic Center should be reduced from $1,200 to $900 to increase demand.

Conversely, he, and members of the North Canton Board of Recreation, want to increase Dogwood Park shelter rental fees from $75 to $100. 

The small increase is necessary "to help offset the cost of the new stone facade, granite countertops, appliances and other recent renovations at the shelter," he said.

The matter will come before Council at its next committee meeting on Monday, May 6.