PORTAGE - The village's own version of "Extreme Makeover, Park Edition" will soon begin to take shape.
During last week's council's meeting, members heard a report from Cheryl Magrum, a member of the park committee, about plans to help Enright Park reach its full potential. After she completed her report, council approved the plans so work could begin right away on initial improvements.
Magrum noted the park is rarely used because the playground equipment is unsafe and needs to be replaced. Park improvements could add property value to residents' homes, encourage a sense of pride in the community and attract young families.
The committee identified seven areas where improvements should be made:
¥ Playground: remove old equipment and replace it with a brand new structure, plus add good safety surfacing;
¥ Prairie and wetlands restoration: add walking path, get help from Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited in reseeding and wetlands restoration;
 

¥ Baseball diamond: remove current ball diamond to its original location;
¥ Picnic area: install handicapped-accessible portajohn for summer, fix tables, update and fix electricity;
¥ Driveway/parking: install sidewalk from driveway to gazebo;
¥ Flagpole: maintain bricks and weed area;
¥ Sledding hill: cover rebar and other hazards with dirt and hydroseed hill.
With council's permission, the parks committee can now begin work on the playground. The slide will be removed and the bolts on the swing repaired. Council approved $4,000 for the removal of the old mulch (estimated at a semi load's worth), the purchase of 170 cubic yards of new safety mulch, along with the spraying of weed killer. These improvements were encouraged by the town's insurance carrier.
During fall, the plan is to move the ball diamond to its original location. This opens the area for planting by Pheasants Forever in the spring of 2010 and wetlands restoration by Ducks Unlimited. The committee will also research new playground equipment and potential grants to pay for it.
Magrum said it is hoped the new playground can be installed in the summer of 2010. "I think that would be a really exciting thing for the village," she stated.
"It's awesome," responded Councilman Jay Sockman when Magrum finished the report. "That's all I've got to say."
Council approved $250 to update the electric service at the park, $100 per month for the portajohn, along with the finances for the safety mulch.
"This is a quick fix," stated Administrator Ron Sharp.
Mayor Mark Wolford announced which residents have been selected by the state auditor's office to serve on the committee to help the village move out of fiscal emergency with a five-year plan. They are Ron Amos, Judy Amend and Lisa King.
He said the first meeting, on June 4 at 6 p.m. in the town hall, is an informational one which is open to the public.
Wolford said he spoke with the representative from the auditor's office. "She asked me to remind us the auditor can only make suggestions that need to happen in the village," he said.
Among options being considered to save money are annexation, which Wolford said is on hold, and possibly disbanding the police department to go with coverage by the Wood County Sheriff's Office. The mayor explained different options for deputy coverage.
Councilman John Jividen warned that if council disbands the police department, then later wants to re-form it, the town would be subject to a dispatch fee of $40,000.
"One thing that keeps us a village is the services we provide," said Councilwoman Marcia Wolford. "We have to be careful. We can be dissolved by the state. Bowling Green can annex us." One possibility is that half of the town would be part of Portage Township, and the other half a part of Liberty Township.