There are bare (grassless) spots throughout the park, either carrying over from last year or spots where chopped leaves killed the grass over winter. Please remain leaves as needed and put out grass seed and straw to help prevent the park from becoming a dirt mess and to stave off erosion from around the park structures. Thanks!
Hello -- Steve Akers here in the Park Ridge neighborhood. I have some items to bring to your attention regarding the Park Ridge park. Most are pretty obvious in terms of regular park maintenance and other points are from our stewardship observation as park users and close by residents. Please read through these points and be sure they are part of the on-going maintenance as we get closer to Spring, thanks. - Mowing: the contractor you have subbed out the mowing to is mowing whether it needs it or not. This has been the case for the past year. The result is literally no grass. Granted the park is heavily used including a nearby daycare visiting 2-3 times per week. With this what we believe is excessive mowing, the leaves are ground to a power and the grass is till. Granted it's quite shady - but please manage the mowing service and please for a pretty aggressive seeding and fertilizing. The park is now just dirt so users have to clean their shoes after use, etc. - Wood chips - regular maintenance. A good dose of chips are needed after a winter season use. - Powerwashing: the equipment is in decent shape and not too dirty but a good power washing of all equipment would be great before the spring/summer season. - Erosion: this issue is most noticeable in two locations. The hill to the south and the hill area beside the bike/ped path. With improved mowing and seeding, these areas may recover. But they do need some soil and minor leveling. - Canopy: it's still an awesome upgrade but does need power washing/cleaning, or possible replacement. We look forward to the park transitioning from winter to spring. The grill will hopefully be unsecured (the homeless have moved on) and the water fountain will be turned back on. I am happy to meet you or any staff at the site to discuss my items. One additional item: the Park Ambassador program does not include our park. I made an inquiry when the program began and was told the Park Ridge park was not part of the program. Would you reconsider? I know of neighbors who are willing to be named the Park Ambassador. Thanks!