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SALEM -- Former city council president Mickey Cope Weaver stepped up at Wednesday's Parks Commission meeting to offer her services to help the city solve the ongoing algae bloom and sediment buildup issues at the duck pond at Waterworth Memorial Park.
"People are complaining about the pond because they care and they don't like what has happened to it," Cope said. "I know it got away from all of us, but I think about when I worked in the water department, getting rid of sludge was a daily event. Yes, it's expensive but it is possible. I know it's a mess. I would do anything, and I am volunteering here today, to help in fundraising activity, to supplement any grants you may have, to go to people through community involvement. Maybe we can help save it, not through a bond but through donations. I have no problem asking people for money."
Cope stressed she believes the condition of the pond was no fault of the department while presenting the commission with several ideas to cleaning the pond, including the involvement of Kent State's Environmental Studies and the high school's biological classes.
Last month Little Beaver Creek Watershed Coordinator Sophia Sorboro said that both the algae bloom and sediment buildup, which is also known as succession, are natural occurrences over the lifespan of a pond, but have been accelerated by a combination of factors present in the park and carried potential risks to the overall well-being of the duck pond as a result. Those factors include high amounts of sunlight, warm temperatures, slow moving water and excess nutrients. She cited stormwater runoff, yard fertilizer runoff and a high concentration of goose waste in the water as causes for this spike in nutrient sources for the algae.
The department wants to use dredging to address the matter with the hope of removing the accumulated muck and restoring the pond to its previous state,; however, an application for a grant to fund the project from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for a Natureworks grant was rejected and no other grants exist to fund such a project.
The commission welcomed Cope's help and asked her to put together a committee and spearhead the efforts to restore the pond.
In other matters, the commission heard that the Salem City Lake operated at a loss this year and would have to receive upwards of $5,000 from the department. Parks Director Shane Franks said the lake was underutilized this season, placing the blame on the low water levels. Little snow last winter and reduced rainfall in the spring had a drastic effect on the water levels, Franks explained. He said the commission may have to consider not opening the lake next year. The commission agreed closing the lake may be necessary but would wait until February to make that decision which will heavily rely on weather conditions during the offseason.
In other matters, the commission agreed to a raise for non-bargaining employees to submit to the city in preparation of the budget and reported that the source of the leak at the Centennial Pool still remains a mystery. The commission also accepted and approved the September expenditures totaling $9652.15.
The commission also announced upcoming events. Story Trail will be held this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring "Pete the Cat's Groovy Imagination." The annual Scarecrow Shenanigans is set at the library from 8 to 10 a.m. on Oct. 14. A Build A Rock Snake, where park visitors are asked to bring a painted rock to construct a makeshift snake in Waterworth, is planned at 2 p.m. on Oct. 15. Trail of Treats is planned 3 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 22 in Waterworth, with a costume contest for children 12 and under starting at 2 p.m. Also at Waterworth, Gourd Golf (a gourd is used in place of a golf ball) will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 5 and "Raptor Hallow Sanctuary," an educational demonstration with live animals, is set for 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.
selverd@mojonew.com