City of Youngstown unveil reimagined park alongside students who inspired design
When sketching designs for the new playground at Lynn Park in Youngstown, the city’s parks and recreation department went to a nearby school to get students’ direct input.
Clemate Franklin, executive director of Youngstown’s parks and recreation department spoke with students at Montessori School of the Mahoning Valley and Paul C. Bunn Elementary.
While reopening the park, Franklin held up one of the drawings made by a student. He said the student’s rendering was used for the playground design and thanked them for helping the department.
“You are our future,” Franklin said to the students. “I want to let you guys know that I heard you. We’re going to add even more great memories and fun, but also a safe experiences.”
New additions to Lynn Park include the upgraded playground and fitness area, as well as new basketball and pickle ball courts.
Upper elementary students at Montessori got to explore the playground on Sept. 10 during the reopening of Lynn Park, also known as the ‘Blue Park.’
The students helped cut the ribbon at 11 a.m. alongside Franklin and Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, and were invited back for a grand opening celebration at 6 p.m. the same day.
“This park right here is a true testament of dedication and making sure that the seventh ward, the citizens of Youngstown and the next generation have somewhere to play,” Mayor Brown said. “We listen to the citizens, we listen to the children and the needs of the community, then we learn.”
According to Chuck Shasho, deputy director of public works in Youngstown, the total cost of the Lynn Park project came to $740,000.
“Over the last 25 years, the public works department have put up hundreds of millions of dollars in projects, and most of the time it’s something under the ground you can’t see, like a big sewer or wastewater treatment plant or maybe a bridge,” Shasho said. “When I drove up today and got to see all the kids playing on the playground, that hit me pretty hard. I loved it.”
Architects from Environmental Design Group “took Director Franklin’s vision and put it on paper,” according to Shasho.
Lynn Park’s playground was built by Youngstown-based Marucci and Gaffney Excavating Company, who have been in business since 1977.
“They were outside of their wheelhouse, building a park, because they’re usually building 25-feet-deep sewers,” Shasho said. “I thought, let’s give them a shot and I think they did a great job.”
After completing Lynn Park, the city’s parks and recreation department will shift their focus over to the park at Ipe Field, according to Franklin.
“There’s going to be a track that goes around the actual playground and zip lines,” he said. “Parents will able to walk around while your kids are playing in a safe environment, and we have our first responders there at Youngstown Fire Station Nine. We’re looking to expand the parking lot as well, so this is coming soon.”
