Park board reviews camping sites for eclipse

By TERESA SCOTT

Staff writer

The Upper Sandusky Park board discussed campground sites to be used during the 2024 solar eclipse Monday during its regularly scheduled meeting.

Parks Manager Keith Niederkohr said he and park board member Dean Leonard recently met at Stepping Stones Park and flagged 20 sites toward the front of the park that may be ideal for camping.

 “The closer to the parking lot, the better,” Niederkohr said.

Niederkohr recommended the front area of the park, so campers can avoid flooding. He suggested it should be considered the last camp site to fill when taking reservations, because it is the wettest. Niederkohr said he will know more as sites get rented out and people come to the city.

 Council chair Kate Niederkohr said local schools have adjusted the days off during the eclipse. Keith Niederkohr said he will work on laying out maps for applications and getting sites numbered for reservations through the winter. He also said he will work with Kate Niederkohr on applications for the county.

Mayor Kyle McColly previously reached out to the local utility billing provider to receive a cost estimate for setting up online bill pay during the eclipse. The provider gave McColly rough estimates before the last meeting for the cost. The provider finally got back to him again and said it would have to reach back out later this week about total cost.

Keith Niederkohr said he is going to reach out to Upper Sandusky Law Director Ben Buckland about park regulations and a waiver that campers can sign when they decide to rent a camping spot for the eclipse.

Keith Niederkohr said he and John Blackburn attended the recent meeting of the Wyandot Classics and Cruisers car club. Niederkohr said $24,000 was raised from the Autumn Cruise car show. He said it was a record-breaking year for cars registered and donations given out by the club.

Niederkohr said with the money earned, he hopes to replace the retaining wall in Bicentennial Park. He said it will be the first step in terms of future projects. Niederkohr mentioned inclusive playground equipment and accessible flooring for wheelchair users as potential projects.

“We’re very thankful for the car club,” Niederkohr said.

Niederkohr mentioned the recent pickleball tournament, which was held at Harrison Smith Park, noting it raised $610 to be donated back to the park for anything pickleball in the future. He said the parks department may look at putting up new netting.

McColly suggested the money raised could be used for the pickleball courts project at Bicentennial Park to replace the old, unused basketball court. He said the Nature Works grant through ODNR got approved in the amount of $11,021.

“It’s all the rage,” McColly said.

 Niederkohr said pickleball courts are always full on Tuesday morning and he thanked McColly for applying for the grant. McColly noted that Niederkohr put hard work in too.

Niederkohr also mentioned the Upper’s Winter Fantasy of Lights setup being ahead of schedule because of good weather. Upper ‘s Winter Fantasy of Lights walkthrough is 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30. The attraction will be open 6-10 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 6-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday from Dec. 1-30. The suggested donation amount is $10. Keith Niederkohr said Harrison Smith Park is mostly closed currently but is open to walkers. Parking can be found around the pool and pond. Proceeds will go to local food pantries.

McColly told the board the park department still needs roughly $3,500 for the digital sign project at Harrison Smith Park. He was contacted by someone who attended a meeting and is part of service organization. The attendee took the matter to their service organization to bring up the possibility of making a donation. McColly said the board may have word soon on a potential donor. Keith Niederkohr said he is getting a quote for an aluminum sign with all donors who made the sign possible recognized.

Clerk Sarah Bennett provided the shelter house income for 2023 and the previous years for Bicentennial Park, Harrison Smith Park and Stepping Stones Park. She said it has been the second highest year of earning. The current rate to rent a shelter house is $30 per day. Keith Niederkohr said the cost of renting the shelter houses is to cover cost of bringing in someone for the weekend to clean them and to act as a placeholder so renters knows they have the space.

The next meeting is Jan. 8.