GAMBIER — Discussions have been under way for several months between the village of Gambier and two design firms to develop a parks plan for the village. Mayor Kirk Emmert said Edsall & Associates and Floyd Browne Group submitted proposals for a Gambier parks plan.
Councilwoman Audra Cubie said the Gambier Building and Grounds Committee decided to retain the Floyd Browne Group to develop the plan.
In December, Emmert and village administrator Suzanne Hopkins visited some of the projects done by the two firms. They confirmed the decision of the parks committee to use the services of the Floyd Browne Group. There is no timetable for the project to begin or be completed at this time.
The Floyd Browne Group has experience in land development, parks, trails, and greenways, surveying and environmental projects. The committee has been working with Matt Simpson of the Floyd Browne Group. Trained as a landscape architect and parks planner, Simpson grew up on Grove Church Road, just outside of Gambier, and is familiar with the village and its needs.
According to Cubie, chairwoman of the committee, it has developed a draft of a master plan for the parks. Cubie said the plan focuses on three main areas of development: The Community Center Park, South Park at Duff Street, and Ohio 229 and the trail system.
“We know that this process would not be complete without your ideas,” Cubie said on behalf of the committee, which consists of Betsy Heer, Tom Stamp and Cubie. “To plan for what best suits the village, we need to hear from Gambier residents. We hope you will be able to attend the meeting and share your thoughts with us.”
The committee will host an informal public meeting Monday at 7:30 p.m. to present the committee’s initial ideas for village park and trail system development. The meeting will be held at the Gambier Community Center. Sketches of the preliminary plans are available at the Gambier Village office at 115 Meadow Lane.