Another combined Public/Private Partnership has resulted in an improved Smith Park.

Middletown Youth Soccer Association has spent many thousands of dollars to upgrade the Smith Park playing areas. The City of Middletown helped by removing old baseball backstops no longer in use. The Soccer group then contracted with SK Construction to redesign that area for use as much-needed soccer fields and installed drainage in a formerly wet area. These days, the soccer volunteers, led by Pete Robinson a board member, take turns keeping the newly planted grass watered until it is established enough to withstand the heavy use in the park.

The result of the project is that Middletown Little League baseball organization now has a more compact set of ball diamonds in one section of the park complete with new baseball equipment.  Community events using Smith Park now have a more useable area to set up booths and, with the new drainage system, can avoid muddy spots when it rains.  Soccer gained several more useable playing fields for the growing number of soccer teams and tournaments held in the city park. And, since Middletown Youth Football moved its entire operation to Douglass Park the Rathman Building is available as a storage and garage area for the Division of Recreation.

The nearly 100 acre park includes a fishing pond, skate park and splash pad as well as several picnic shelters, hiking trail and space for many impromptu sporting games. The busy park is in constant use through the seasons for soccer and baseball tournaments. It is also home to the MidFirst Ohio Challenge hot air balloon festival slated for July 18-20, and the Light Up Middletown drive-through light display set for November 28 through December 31, 2008.

Middletown Mayor Larry Mulligan said, “It is this kind of cooperation across our entire community that makes Middletown a great place to live and raise a family. This same soccer group also redeveloped Jacot Park as a much more heavily used public facility.  Light Up Middletown  has invested many thousands of dollars in Smith Park throughout their 10 years in the form of electrical service which is used by other events. When groups work with each other and the City, much can be accomplished. We thank all our volunteers.”

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Ann Mort

513-649-4506

RMort@cinci.rr.com