Dover hopes to have pickleball courts finished this year

In his mayor’s report, Shane Gunnoe asked for a committee assignment to authorize the advertising of bids and entering into a contract for the construction of four pickleball courts added at Dover City Park. The courts will be located near the bocce courts off Wooster Avenue.

The project will not exceed $255,000 including engineering.

“We have that funding in place in large part, due to the private donations that we've received from local foundations and individuals,” Gunnoe said.

Donations have been received from $100-$50,000 for the project.

“We're excited for it. We want to get it in and get it done this year,” Gunnoe said.

In addition to the new courts, the project will include fencing. With future donations they would like to add a picnic area and improve the bocce courts. The city will keep the two pickleball courts on Deis Hill and plans to have them resurfaced at some point in the future.

City workers have already been clearing the area, and it should be ready for construction soon.

Adding recreational opportunities is a focus.

“The parks department is now obtaining estimates in preparation to apply for grants this year toward funding for a new splash pad at the city pool and for resurfacing of the protective surface around the playground,” Gunnoe said.

Grants are available that could help with the projects, as well as continuing with private fundraising.

The city has been awarded grant funding to help with projects. It recently received news from JobsOhio and the Ohio Department of Development that it was awarded an increase in the 629 Roadwork Grant for the public infrastructure related to the Schaeffler project in the amount of $400,000. The award is still pending approval from the Ohio Controlling Board, but the increase would mean total grant funding would reach $3 million.

The total of grant funding from all sources and encompassing all city projects in the last two years is approximately $5 million.

In other updates Gunnoe reported the IT department is expecting to begin with hardware installation, including in the downtown area, in the next month for the public WiFi program.

The wastewater department recently hosted employees from 70 communities and conducted training and plant tours as a part of a continuing education program through the Ohio EPA.

The city is working with Dover City Schools to organize facility tours for some eighth grade students in May.

“Students will walk through our various facilities and get the opportunity to ask questions of department superintendents,” Gunnoe said. “We look forward to the opportunity to talk with them about our city operations and how our local government works.”

Parade registrations are now being accepted for the Canal Dover Festival Parade. The festival will be May 23-25. The parade will kick off May 24 at noon. Registration is available online at the city website or Facebook page.

Dover Parks and Recreation also is accepting registrations for the youth and adult summer camps. These also can be made online.

Council approved Resolution 6-25, authorizing the distribution of bed tax money in the amount of $5,000 to the Tuscarawas Arts Partnership for the support of the Adelante Arts Camp’s Culinary Arts Program.

Prior to the meeting, a public hearing was held on Ordinance 11-25, which would rezone a parcel of property on 115 N. McKinley St. in Dover from H-1 to R-2. No comments on the ordinance were received. Council approved the ordinance during the regular meeting.

Safety Director Bob Everett noted concerns with e-scooters in the community.

“Recently, we've noticed an influx of e-scooters being ridden and driven throughout the community,” Everett said. “The problem is we have young teens operating these, and some are not following any traffic laws. They're riding without helmets. They're being very reckless in their operation.”

Everett announced plans to form a committee to determine if any regulation of e-scooters is needed.

“Frankly, before something tragic happens, we feel the need that we should investigate our options,” Everett said.

Everett said due to the difficulty pedestrians have crossing at Sixth Street and North Wooster Avenue, a pedestrian crosswalk system has been ordered. The system can be activated by pedestrians and has a flashing beacon to warn motorists to stop.

The next Dover Council meeting will be May 5 in council chambers, 121 E. Second St., Dover.