PERRY TWP. – Trustees have agreed to seek estimates on a series of upcoming improvements to A.D. Fasnacht Farm Park.
The township has about $170,000 remaining from an approximately $250,000 state capital grant aimed at funding park upgrades. Officials met last week for a work session to discuss and mull options.
Work under consideration includes painting and replacing the roof of the old farmhouse on the property, 1126 Jackson Ave. NW, reinforcing the barn and potentially demolishing the former tenant farmer house that abuts the roadway.
Trustee Ralph DeChiara Jr. said it’s unlikely for the township to do a complete restoration of Fasnacht park due to cost. But preserving what buildings and amenities are there is a high priority.
“We can only do what we can,” DeChiara said. “We have to apply for grants and chip away at this monster.”
A drainage issue affecting the foundation of the park’s barn has to be fixed in the near future, said DeChiara, adding that dated outbuildings may also be torn down.
“It’s important to preserve the history out there while we can,” DeChiara said.
A new driveway and parking lot are upgrades that have already been completed at the park.
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Garnering a historic designation for the farmhouse and barn is a task worth exploring to help acquire future grant funding, Trustee Lisa Nelligan said.
Securing safeguarding the buildings at the park was mentioned by Police Chief Bryan Taylor.
Down the road ideas at Fasnacht include constructing a pavilion for park users and further developing a walking trail around the property.
Reach Steven Grazier at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Perry Twp. officials look to spend grant funds for Fasnacht Farm work…Read more by Massillon Independent, Steven M. Grazier