Note to readers:
The following item is a written record of the Summit Metro Park Board of Park Commissioners meeting from May 12, compiled by Akron Documenter Brittany Nader. It is not a reported story.
Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
Summary
- The Summit Metro Parks Board of Park Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting a statewide public education campaign about the consequences of abolishing Ohio property taxes. These taxes fund about 90% of Summit Metro Parks’ programs and safety services.
- The board discussed its deer management program, which helps control local deer populations while providing additional recreation opportunities. Park officials donate venison to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
- Summit Metro Parks won an award from the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau for the cross-country course at Silver Creek Metro Park. Executive Director Lisa King said the trail brings visiting teams and tourism dollars into the area and also doubles as a public disc golf course.
Documenter follow-up questions
- How much annual funding could Summit Metro Parks potentially lose if property taxes were eliminated, and which programs or services would likely face cuts first?
- What measurable impact has the deer management program had on deer populations, vehicle collisions or ecosystem health over its 25-year history?
- Will the public education campaign include community forums, public meetings or online resources where residents can ask questions about property taxes and park funding?
Meeting notes:
Officials called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Roll call: All commissioners were present except Herb Newman, who was out of town.
- Commissioners approved the April 14 meeting minutes.
Commissioners support public property tax education
- King said a statewide coalition is responding to efforts to abolish property taxes in Ohio through a proposed constitutional amendment.
- According to the Ohio Municipal League: A public education effort is underway by Ohioans to Protect Public Services, a statewide coalition that includes the Ohio Municipal League, along with more than 65 partner organizations.
- The coalition came together in response to an effort to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that seeks to abolish property taxes in Ohio.
Resolution says eliminating property taxes is ‘reckless and unsustainable’
- King said Ohioans to Protect Public Services created templates and messaging materials for a public education campaign.
- She said property taxes fund parks, zoos, libraries and public safety services.
- King asked the board to support the educational effort, saying the campaign aims to inform residents about what agencies and services could be affected if property taxes were eliminated.
- She said state legislation is already moving to address concerns around property taxes.
- King added that sales taxes, income taxes or other taxes could increase if property taxes were abolished.
- She read a resolution outlining Summit Metro Parks programs and benefits. The resolution also stated the role property taxes play in funding approximately 90% of the park district’s budget. It also listed potential impacts to safety, senior and children’s programs if funding was removed.
- The coalition’s position is that eliminating property taxes would be a “reckless and unsustainable approach,” and members expressed support for property tax reform instead of outright elimination.
- Officials will send a copy of the resolution to the governor.
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Summit Metro Parks to coordinate with other affected organizations
- King said talking points, letters to the editor and other communication templates are being shared statewide to keep messaging consistent.
- She said Summit Metro Parks plans to coordinate with other Summit County organizations that could also be affected.
- King said if the board approved the resolution, a press release would be prepared for immediate release.
- She said the campaign would not focus on telling people not to sign petitions, but instead would educate residents about how public services are funded and what could happen if funding disappeared.
- One board member compared the effort to a “The More You Know”-style public education campaign focused on helping residents understand the importance of the funding until another solution is developed.
- The board unanimously approved the resolution.
Executive Director Lisa King presented the executive director’s report.
Summit Metro Parks receives Zenith Award
- Summit Metro Parks received the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Hospitality Impact Zenith Award. The award was for Silver Creek Metro Park’s cross-country trail.
- King said teams traveling for meets often bring visitors who stay overnight in the area, contributing to local tourism.
- She said the park district was surprised but pleased to receive the award.
- King also said the trail doubles as a disc golf course, which she described as a “little-known fact.”
- The course is located north of the existing Silver Creek trails and facilities and north of the intersection of Medina Line and Johnson roads in Norton.
Deer management program in operation for 25 years
- King shared statistics about the program.
- It has operated for 25 years and covers 3,200 acres.
- Officials donate deer harvested through the program to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank as venison.
- The program includes 51 archery units. According to the Summit Metro Parks website, the parks allow hunting by crossbow or bow and arrow by permit. Hunters enter a lottery to be part of the program.
- King said the program provides public recreation opportunities beyond traditional park uses.
- Commissioner Curtis Walker said many deer starve during winter and the district is trying to find a balance in managing the population.
Commissioners approve consent agenda
- Officials said construction season is beginning and equipment purchases come first during that period.
- Officials approved the consent agenda unanimously.
Meeting ends with executive session
- The board entered executive session at 11:47 a.m.
