SIDNEY — When Sidney Rotary Club President Duane Gaier rang the bell at the start of a recent meeting, he announced that he would be pulling double duty: not only would he preside at the meeting, but he would present the program for the meeting in Sidney’s Tawawa Park in the shelter house the Rotary Club constructed atop Bertsch Hill last year.
Gaier noted that Tawawa Park is the “crown jewel” of Sidney’s 450 acre park system. He said next year would be the 70th anniversary of the park and gave credit to individuals who purchased the original acreage and then turned it over to the city to be used as a park.
“Most of the great cities in this country do not have anything equal to this park,” Gaier told the Rotarians.
Shortly after Gaier’s presentation began, walnuts falling from a nearby tree came crashing to earth, narrowly missing Gaier. He jumped and then quipped, “Food for the squirrels,” as he began talking about the Parks and Recreation Department’s summer food program.
“We provided a total of 7,012 meals that were served from June 5 through Aug. 11 at eight different locations throughout the community,” Gaier said. He added that 2,014 meals were sent home with children through the Summer Backpack Program. “The meals are provided though funds provided by churches, organizations and individuals,” he said.
Gaier highlighted the 27 programs provided for the community’s youth this summer. The free programs ranged from a fishing derby for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, during which prizes were awarded for the most fish, the largest fish, and the smallest fish to Storytime in the Park, sponsored in conjunction with Amos Memorial Public Library.
“The program moves to a different park every week,” Gaier said.
“Another session kids look forward to year after year is Art in the Park. Cosponsored by the Gateway Arts Council, participants make a different project each day,” Gaier said. “From hiking to finding creatures in the creek to making bird houses, there is a huge variety of programs for kids during the summer months.”
Gaier recited statistics: “We have 450 acres of parkland, 45 shelters, 24 play structures and 18 neighborhood parks. But my department is also responsible for maintaining the Senior Center, Graceland Cemetery and nearly 200 acres of nonpark land we mow but do not own or own but is under the jurisdiction of another department, such as the water treatment plant, the fire stations and city hall.” Gaier specifically mentioned land owned by CSX along Lincoln Street that the city mows and then bills CSX.
Gaier expressed appreciation to Emerson, who provided five play structures for park use during the recent recession, and Honda, who provided an additional play structure.
Gaier also expressed appreciation to the Dayton Power & Light Co., who provided grant funding last year for trees.
“The Emerald ash borer killed more than 1,000 ash trees in Tawawa Park alone. The grant allowed us the opportunity to replace about 10 percent of the trees lost,” Gaier noted.
He praised the park ranger, who patrols the city’s parks on an alternating schedule.
“Sometimes he works four 10-hour days; sometimes he works five eight-hour days, and sometimes a combination, so that no one can know for certain when he will be at any specific location,” Gaier said. “He has full police powers and occasionally has backed up the police department’s officers, just as they occasionally back him up.”
Gaier briefly discussed the Zenas King bridge that will be relocated to the park and placed across Amos Lake. “The bridge is historically significant,” Gaier said, “and it will be a welcome addition to Tawawa Park.”
Gaier commented on the recent expansion of Graceland Cemetery before answering questions about when a dog park might be constructed, the biennial Civil War Living History Weekend, the Mayfest Soccer Classic and other park-related topics.
