REALTORS® Park — It Took a Village

Written by Dale Meller, Association Executive, Beaver Creek Area Association of REALTORS®

In the Fall of 2019, I approached Lisbon, Ohio Mayor Roger Gallo to present a copy of "On Common Ground" and discuss how the Beaver Creek Area Association of REALTORS® (BCAAR) might serve the community. Not long after that visit, Village Councilman (and now Mayor) Peter Wilson contacted me to follow up. Wilson explained that the village owned under-utilized land near the trailhead of the Greenway Trail that might be put to better use. The Trail is a pedestrian and bike trail currently running 12.5 miles from Lisbon to Washingtonville and attracts 200,000 hikers, runners, and cyclists each year. We discussed some rough ideas for a placemaking project on this property and decided to create a pocket park as a gathering place for village residents, visitors and users of the trail.

Photo courtesy of the Beaver Creek Area Association of REALTORS®

Although BCAAR's members serve the area where the Trail is located, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Youngstown Columbiana Association of REALTORS® (YCAR). I contacted YCAR CEO Julie Larson to discuss the project and to see if our association could apply for NAR's Placemaking Grant to help fund the project (note NAR's Territorial Jurisdiction policy). YCAR not only gave permission to proceed, but also agreed to be a partner in the project. This partnership would provide more volunteers and potential additional funding.

BCAAR and YCAR formed a joint committee to work on the project. The committee included representatives from the village council, the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce, and members of BCAAR and YCAR. Early on, the committee decided the pocket park would be named REALTORS® Park. Both BCAAR and YCAR, and the Chamber of Commerce, represented by Susan Shank, agreed to contribute $500 to the project.

Photo courtesy of the Beaver Creek Area Association of REALTORS®

YCAR CEO Larson found an Eagle Scout candidate, John Cagnina, who wanted to pitch in on the project. Not only did John encourage the Ohio Rotary Club to donate $1,000 to the project, he also agreed to design and oversee construction of part of the project. The village lent a hand by having village employees, who worked for the street department, perform some site preparation and grading. The Columbiana County Career and Technical Center agreed to build a sign for the site if we could purchase the materials. The project was off to a good start with an engaged committee and a budget of $7,500.

The County Fairgrounds provided a space in an unheated building for us to use in the Winter of 2019 to pre-cut the wood that would be used to build pergolas and benches for the park. Volunteers worked in 20° temperatures to do this work. Meanwhile, the site preparation was completed and contractors were engaged to provide concrete and the finishing work for a 20 by 20-foot pad where the pergolas and benches would be installed. The pad would feature one pergola at each corner.

Photo courtesy of the Beaver Creek Area Association of REALTORS®

Photo courtesy of the Beaver Creek Area Association of REALTORS®

One pergola was constructed in early 2020, and then the coronavirus hit and everything came to a halt.

Photo courtesy of the Beaver Creek Area Association of REALTORS®

Work on the project resumed in the Summer of 2021. The remaining pergolas and benches were built, landscaping materials were purchased, and volunteers spread topsoil, mulch, and rock, and planted shrubs, trees, flowers, and grass. The final touch will be completion of a large sign which welcomes people to REALTORS® Park, credits the financial contributors and the volunteer associations, and provides a map of the village so that visitors can find where the local businesses and restaurants are located.

Soon REALTORS® Park will be dedicated and residents, visitors, and trail users will have a great place to meet up and relax. All thanks to our village of partners.

Photo courtesy of the Beaver Creek Area Association of REALTORS®