Lawrence County selected for park review

Yahoo

24-03-2025

Mar. 24—Lawrence County has been selected by the University of Cincinnati's School of Architecture for a review of the county's recreation and parks needs. There will be a comprehensive review and then a plan will be created and there is no cost to the county.
Commissioner DeAnna Holliday said that once it is through the planning phase," the funding opportunities will probably present themselves because of the simple fact we have the University of Cincinnati behind this. So, we are excited to partner with them."
Commissioner Colton Copley said that the School of Architecture is well-known for the sustainability of their projects.
"They don't just create parks and recreation plans, they create a way for those parks and recreation plans to sustain themselves with funding and opportunities to make money themselves," he said, adding that there is always a challenge of keeping up parks after they are created. "I'm excited to work with them, they are some of the best minds, definitely in the state and probably in the nation."
Commissioner Mike Finley said that sustainability is their motto.
"It has to be sustainable or we don't want to do it," he said. "We have seen so many things in Lawrence County and other counties fall on its face."
Holliday said that all three commissioners want to leave things better than they found them especially with an opportunity to create something that will last a long time.
"The three of us are working really hard to bring projects that change your life and that give you a better quality of living for generations, not just today," she said.
The commissioners said that the plan will study, not only county properties, but ones in the villages and town.
Sue Lunsford, a member of the Lawrence County Museum and Historical Society, told the commissioners that the museum will be reopening on Sunday, April 6 and will have a special event for its 100th anniversary.
She said they will have actors in period clothing to portray Dr. and Mrs. Gray, who purchased the building that now houses the museum.
"They will tell you their life story. There will be people to take you on tours," she said. "It is all free. Come and check it out."
Members of the Lawrence County Farm Bureau stopped by the meeting as part of National Agriculture Week.
Representatives of the Farm Bureau received a copy of a proclamation declaring March 16-22 as National Agriculture Week in Lawrence County and gave each of the commissioners items grown locally, as well as a Farm Bureau hat.
"You've got a dozen eggs, a can of apple butter, some seeds, a spade and some information sheets," said Ashley Kasler, organization director with Ohio Farm Bureau, serving Lawrence, Gallia and Athens counties.
"I think we need to put the eggs up for auction," joked Holliday.
The commissioners meet a 10 a.m. on Tuesdays on the third floor of the Lawrence County Courthouse.