Strickfaden Park sees upgrades

PERKINS TWP. — Strickfaden Park, Perkins Township's flagship green space property, recently received several new amenities to help maintains its top-tier ranking. Not too long ago, the park on Bell Avenue, between Columbus Avenue and Campbell Street, received many new additions. This would include swings, a shade structure, picnic tables and sidewalks near Strickfaden Park's existing playground structure. "The trustees have made the parks and the park equipment a priority to keep in good working order whether it is maintenance of existing structures or replacing old, outdated areas and adding new equipment that is safer and friendly to people of all ages and skill levels," township public works director Brad Link said. Officials completed these enhancements for $30,000, an amount fully covered through local funds. History lesson Perkins Township officials host many community-oriented events — Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, reunions, movie nights, yoga, camps, baseball games, concerts and more — at Strickfaden Park in part to honor its legacy. For the past 15 years or so, township trustees steadily built up the once-empty site on Bell Avenue, formerly home to Strickfaden's garden center and Christmas store, into a premier park property evident with a baseball field, walking trails and an all-inclusive playground. In addition, the 28-acre area features a pavilion, back patio, restroom and kitchen facility as well as a parking lot. People can rent out the pavilion for parties, meetings, gatherings and the like. During this 15-year period, the park's overall investment exceeds $1 million through a combination of federal, state and local financial sources. "For years, people said, 'Perkins Township doesn't have a place of its own for people to gather.' Well, now, it does," trustee Jeff Ferrell said during a special ceremony at Strickfaden Park in 2019. "Perkins Township has so much momentum." During this ceremony, Ferrell in addition to fellow board members Tim Coleman and Jim Lang recognized their predecessors: former trustees Jerry Baumgardner, who died in 2015; Robert Kowalk, who died in 2006; and Tom Pascoe, who died in 2017. These three bought Strickfaden Park in 2003 specifically for park development. They also initiated a plan to develop the space. "These three men had the foresight to see that this property could be made into something great," Lang said. "We also want to thank the citizens and all of Perkins Township for this." The current trustees honored each one by presenting plaques to their living family members. The text recognized their efforts to create Strickfaden Park. Trustees also vowed they'll remember these three men and make decisions always in the best interest of Perkins Township. "Strickfaden's advertisement, back in the day, was if you enjoy Christmas, you'll enjoy Strickfaden's," Coleman said. "Well, to paraphrase from Strickfaden, my hope is if you enjoy parks and recreation, then you'll enjoy Strickfaden Park."