To the editor:

This week’s overwhelming denial of the parks levy leaves the board at a crossroads. Despite the board’s hope that a countywide vote would secure its passage, the levy was resoundingly defeated. As a resident who voted against it, I offer some insights into why. To be completely transparent, I was briefly a member of this board.

Columbiana County seems to overlook the tangible benefits of tourism. I’m not envisioning Carnival Cruise Lines docking in East Liverpool; I’m referring to the actual, measurable economic impact of events and attractions within our county. During my tenure with the resurrected and again short-lived Columbiana County Tourism Bureau, I analyzed data from comparable counties and local statistics. The results were clear: when given the opportunity, people spend money here.

Our county boasts a promising “agritourism” sector that remains underutilized. Moreover, our rich history draws visitors not only from within the county but also from neighboring regions. This doesn’t even account for the Greenway Trail and North Country Trail, which link several local towns and consistently attract visitors from the Pittsburgh and Cleveland areas.

The stark contrast between the commissioners’ laughable $15,000 parks budget and the multi-million dollar surplus carried year over year is a disservice to our community. While neighboring counties allocate well over $100,000 to their parks, we are expected to maintain and conserve our greenspaces with a fraction of that amount. Albeit, those other park systems often do utilize a levy in addition to budgeted funding.

It’s time to shift our focus to the Greenway Trail, the most utilized asset in our parks system. Financial prudence alone dictates that we invest in maintaining what we already have, rather than chasing the unattainable dream of a trail connecting Lisbon to the Ohio River.

The recent campaign for funds to maintain the Lisbon to Leetonia Greenway Trail is both justified and necessary. Despite the addition of parking lots and access points funded by grants and commissioner-awarded funds, the trail has suffered from years of neglect.

Yet, its value is undeniable. On any given day, the trail’s parking lots are filled with cars, indicating its frequent use throughout the year–especially during the pleasant spring and summer months. Moreover, the influx of cyclists from Mahoning and Trumbull counties via the Washingtonville Rd. connection to their trail system is a testament to its regional appeal.

If the commissioners continue to neglect the parks’ financial needs, it’s crucial to present them with a line-itemed budget–one that includes sensible timelines and precise estimates–and insist on progress. The arrival of a new commissioner who values the parks could be a turning point for the better.

However, if the current leadership remains indifferent, it may be time for the park board to take a stand. Walking away is a serious consideration, but it might be necessary to prompt a serious discussion about the future of our parks. After all, continuing to expect different results from the same actions is futile.

It’s time for the community to step up and question why these valuable assets, which have seen millions of dollars in investment, are being allowed to deteriorate. We must demand more from those in charge of our county’s greenspaces.

Neal Bayless,

Leetonia