Click on above image for application.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION

Visit the web site for the Recreation Center at www.stcrec.com.

2010 SUMMER CONCERT SCHEDULE

Click here for a printable schedule

2010 Spring Program Brochure

2010 Summer concert
Event Date
Blue Hayze June 22
John Adams & Friends - Tribute to John Denver June 30
No Concert Scheduled July 6
Aftermath July 13
Ron Retzer July 20
Rachel Beck July 27
Chrisagis Brothers August 3

Recycling Bins Moved

The recycling bins located on the fairgrounds have been moved to St. Clair Street by Neff Street. The public is invited to deposit recyclables at this location.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

None at this time.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE COMMUNITY GARDEN

In May 2009 the initial plots of the St. Clairsville Community Garden were planted. All 41 plots were quickly reserved and gardeners had great success. The transformation the garden made from a bare lot in early spring to a bountiful garden was astounding. Demand for a garden plot exceeded available plots and a wait list for 2010 was created. Community gardeners from the previous year have the opportunity to keep their plot for the next year. This year several gardens decided not to purchase their plot again. This was not because they were unsuccessful, but because they gained enough confidence and knowledge to plant a garden on their own property. These available plots were quickly reserved by those waiting from last year. Anyone interested in being added to the wait list may do so by calling Kathy Kaluger at 695-1324.

The community garden includes (31) 10' X 10' garden plots, (10) 5' X 10' garden plots, a children's garden, a demonstration garden by the Master Gardeners of the Ohio State University Extension Office, composting bins, and educational sessions. Anyone wanting more information please contact Bev Goodridge, Community Garden Coordinator, at 740-296-5052 or email begooder@comcast.net.

Applications are available in the City Building or by clicking the application link below. The yearly fee is $15 for a 5' X 10' plot and $30 for a 10' X 10' plot. Payments can be made in person or mailed to: City of St. Clairsville, Attn: Kathy Kaluger, PO Box 537, St. Clairsville, OH 43950. Donations to help sponsor the demonstration garden or children's garden will be gladly accepted.

The community garden is one feature in the master plan for the construction of a park on the city-owned fairgrounds. The master plan can be seen in the J.B. Martin Recreation and Senior Center or by clicking on the community page.

Guidelines and Application for Community Garden

PLANS FOR FUTURE PARK ANNOUNCED

Mayor Robert Vincenzo introduced a future project to City Council members and the public that will merit the magnitude of other projects throughout the City, such as the National Road Bikeway. The Mayor introduced plans for the renovation of the former fairgrounds to a community park.

The Mayor first prefixed his unveiling by explaining that back in 1869, 7.63 acres of property was deeded to the Belmont County Agricultural Society as a gift to hold an "annual meeting" which became known as the annual Belmont County Fair. The deed further stipulated that this 7.63 acres could not be sold but would revert back to the City of St. Clairsville should the Agricultural Society no longer use it for its "meeting".

Over the course of time, the Belmont County Agricultural Society purchased additional property both to the north and south of the original 7.63 acres as the fair grew. Four years ago, the City of St. Clairsville bought the additional property to the north of the original deeded property for $1,000,000 dollars. The school district purchased the land to the south and the original property was deeded back to the City as the Belmont County Agricultural Society was making plans to move the fair to the new fairgrounds west of the city.

The City agreed to allow the fair to continue its annual operation of the fair for four years. The Belmont County Fair planned for September of 2009 will be the last fair held at the original fairgrounds. With this in mind, the City and the School District began to make plans for the property for after the fair.

One situation encountered was that the City owned the property to the north which is adjacent to other school-owned property such as the football field, the school complex itself as well as the press box. The School owned property in the southern end closer to property already owned by the City such as the old electric shop and property across St. Clair street. An agreement was reached between the two so that the school now owns the upper property and the City owns the lower property making the future plans more viable for the community.

With this in mind, the City began to explore options for the property with the help of Gabe Hays and Phillip Cole of Hays Landscape Architecture Studio, LTD. A design for a multi-faceted community park was unveiled to City Council. This project is expected to take several years to fully complete with sections of it beginning as soon as this coming spring.

Included in the design are several specific areas such as:

(Click on the image for a larger, more detailed view.)

  • A picnic grove located close to the main entrance off of S. Sugar St. This is an area intended to allow residents, students or workers in the downtown area to perhaps enjoy their lunch in an outdoor setting.

  • An Events Hall - The current 4H building will be renovated to a banquet events hall that could possibly hold 500 to 600 people.

  • Designated Parking - The parking area which is now gravel with no markings, will be organized with a specific traffic pattern and designated parking spaces.

  • A Community Garden - The first project slated to begin this spring will be a fenced-in area with individual plots of land available for residents to rent for gardening. The design includes a gazebo with raised planting beds for the handicapped.

  • A Pedestrian Pathway - As with the bikeway, the pedestrian path running through the park will be wide enough for emergency vehicles but will be designated for pedestrian traffic only. Ballasts will be installed on either end to prevent vehicle traffic.

  • An Amphitheater - The amphitheater is designed to hold approximately 2,500 people on the inner most circle and up to 3,500 when the outer areas surrounding the amphitheater are included. The staging area will be closed in on both ends allowing use for large events and weddings. There will be more shelters and restroom areas here also.

  • Large Fountain - There will be a large fountain which will be the focal point of that area. The fountain will be large enough for children to play in during hot summer days.

  • A Green Area located past the amphitheater will allow an area for play and relaxation.

  • A Sports Green is planned for the lower end of the park. This area is intended to have two basketball courts, a roller hockey court and a sand volley ball court. There will be additional parking close to this area for easy access with sports equipment.

  • A Dog Park similar to what is currently in existence in bigger cities is planned for the park. This would be an enclosed area where people can bring their dogs and allow them to run freely and interact with other dogs. This is a great social gathering area for pet lovers.

  • An Additional Picnic Area on the eastern end will tie the park together acting as a "book end" with the picnic area slated for the entrance area.

  • Additional Parking will be located off of St. Clair Street.

The plan unveiled this evening is a proposal of what could be based on the type of services people would like to see available in St. Clairsville. Hays further explained that "private sector assistance is key" to a project of this magnitude. The public has expressed a desire for this type of recreational area and there are those people who will come forward to assist with donations or fund raising.

The park, referred to today as "St. Clairsville Central Park" would be a "means to an end". Once the entire park is completed, it should be a revenue generating area. Two areas that will be slated for first-pick projects would be the events hall and the community garden. The community garden, slated to open in the spring of 2009, will generate funds sooner than the event hall. Work on the events hall cannot begin until after the last Belmont County Fair in September of 2009. Once completed, the events hall would also become a revenue generating arena for the park.

The "St. Clairsville Central Park" project is considered to be a "menu of items" contained in one recreational park. This project, once completed, will be the pride of St. Clairsville to last for generations to come.

Anyone interested in further information should contact the Director of Public Services office at 100 N. Market St., St. Clairsville, Ohio, 740-695-0156. Click here to send an email to the Director of Public Services.