Rainbow Dreamland, the playground at East Palestine City Park, can be seen through the construction fence that surrounds it as it is being dismantled. The playground will be replaced by a 3-playgrounds-in-1 concept that will feature a modernized area, a natural-themed area and an open-grass area to be constructed in Phase 3 of the $25 million park renovation project. A small community group will offer feedback this week related to the playground as the village looks to cut from the plans to stay within budget. (Photo By Stephanie Elverd)

EAST PALESTINE — The community feedback session meant to push the East Palestine Park project’s ballooned budget back under its $25 million cap has been set for Friday.

According to Village Manager Antonio Diaz-Guy, the meeting will take place between the design Firm Michael Baker International — the design firm overseeing the project — and a small group of community members “directly solicited” by the village to provide feedback. Those discussions will focus on the new playground which will replace Rainbow Dreamland and will feature a modernized area, a natural-themed area and an open-grass area.

“My intention for the playground was for people who actively have children ages 13 and below to be considered for participation in that group,” Diaz-Gut explained.

It was announced in February that cuts to the park plans would have to be made to stay within budget. That announcement came shortly after the village agreed to a $22 million settlement with the railroad for damages caused by the 2023 derailment and chemical spill.

The agreement between Norfolk Southern and the village reaffirmed the railroad’s commitment to the multi-million park renovations, which will include a new aquatic center and amphitheater, but with the project lagging way behind schedule, costs became an issue. The railroad attributed the rising costs to settlement negotiations between the village and Norfolk Southern. Work was paused on park designs during those discussions in which the village ultimately agreed to absorb a $3 million design fee that was not included in the initial budget of $25 million. The talks pushed the completion date back an entire year and the terms pushed the budget way past its cap.

The village, the railroad and Michael Baker regrouped and the village took a more proactive approach in the park project. Since then, the project has progressed, with Phase 2 finally getting started last month.

The village’s involvement has led to a more speedy process that includes changing the way the projects are completed in the three-phase timeline.

“As Phase 2 of the Park Project begins, we need to start looking at how we finalize designs for Phase 3 and get those things to start taking place at the same time,” Diaz- Guy said. “There’s no reason why all of the projects have to operate in sequential order.”

East Palestine councilwoman and Park, Rec and Cemetery Chair Erin Stauffer recently told council that demolition of the existing pool has been moved up to “help advance the project more expediently” with Phase 3 (upgrades to the playground, roads and brick pavilion) currently in the design mode.

“We are finalizing those plans and hope to have the designs ready for bidding in the coming months,” she said.

Stauffer said following the meeting on July 25 final designs will be developed.

Representatives of both Norfolk Southern and Michael Baker had previously offered recommendations that would trim the project and keep it within the budget. Those suggested cuts included eliminating upgrades to the community center and its parking lot, a parking lot with turnaround at the lower ball field, all improvements to the upper field and the ADA-accessible sidewalk to the brick pavilion. Revisions to the main parking were also suggested.

The village decided against those changes and had said it would gather public feedback before making any decisions as far as cuts to the park plans were concerned.

With the playground meeting seemingly the only meeting planned before final plans are developed, the public feedback appears to be limited to the pre-selected group with cuts coming to the playground plans.

selverd@mojonews.com