Ward events kick off in Barberton to meet, greet

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA McCUNE | BGNN

Toby Lisle and his granddaughter, Ariana, 5, enjoy swinging at College Park during a community picnic for Ward 3 hosted by Councilman Dallas Moore. 

Councilman Dallas Moore and his son Vinny, 12, at the Ward 3 picnic at College Park.

Adam Tassile, Megan Tassile, Kylie Leicht and Corey Schurko helped with the Ward 3 community picnic July 12.

Corey Schurko grills hot dogs and Megan Tassile helps to refill the container for the Ward 3 picnic.

Brittany Crisp and her daughter Jer’Ney, 8, enjoy College Park regularly and also checked out the ward picnic.

By CHRISTINA McCUNE | BGNN managing editor

BARBERTON  On a warm sunny Sunday, fun upbeat tunes from the 1980s rung out at College Park, which some local residents have affectionately called “the Purple Park” for years.

The aroma of hot dogs grilling wafted toward the playground where generations of families were represented.

Councilman Dallas Moore was engaging with some of his constituents in Ward 3 and Chris Stoll, council member at-large also was meeting with residents. Later, council members Julie Miller and Bryan Poorman also came by.

Members of the Hooker family, who own and run Hooker’s All Ohio Recovery, were in attendance and friends of Moore volunteered to grill hot dogs and help set up the first of a series of community events hosted by council members. City council members are hosting picnics and parties this month in their wards to celebrate America 250 and the city’s 135th birthday.

Toby Lisle who was swinging with his granddaughter, Ariana, 5, said he would like to see more opportunities like the ward picnics for families to get together.

Brittany Crisp was planning to take her daughter, Jer’Ney, 8, to the park anyway and saw the ward picnic advertised.

“I think this is good for Barberton,” Crisp said. “I think they should have more community days.”

Moore said his ward picnic wouldn’t have been possible without Hooker’s All Ohio Recovery. They worked to get donations from other businesses. Other sponsors included Rich’s Cuts, API (paint supplies), Wilbert’s Auto Parts, Tasty Wing Machine, Pro Masters Only, S & L Lumber, ABC Supply, Bub & Jim’s Auto, South Side Barberton Mini Mart and Chuck’s Auto Wrecking. Barberton Parks & Recreation Department provided water, snacks and supplies.

Moore said he hopes the ward picnics bring back a sense of community and build trust and help people feel good to be in Barberton. Moore also plans monthly meet-and-greets and he plans to keep the momentum going with resuming the meet-and-greets in the fall. He said he hopes people see that all the council members are passionate and care about the city and that they’re showing up for residents outside of meetings.

If Ward 3 were to have a motto it might be: “It’s the place where families want to be.”

“There are a lot of generational homes and families that are connected down here,” he said. “I think the unique thing about Ward 3 is that we have Austin Estates, we have the Southeast Side and we have New Haven. It’s like getting the best of all of Barberton. I think it’s the best ward for sure.”

Moore said that council members plan to attend each other’s ward picnics.

Councilwoman Emily Beck said Parks and Recreation asked each ward rep to host a picnic in a park in each ward to celebrate America 250 as well as Barberton’s 135 birthday. Council members were not provided a budget, but they were able to take in-kind donations from businesses and fund things themselves, Beck explained. Her Skate Park Picnic will have DJ SoundDeVice doing mash up style songs. Kyle Mowery, the owner of Need Skate shop in Akron, will have a few individuals come and give a skate demo and help teach a few basics and tricks. He also is donating 50 skateboards to give away, Beck said.

“I was so incredibly touched by that,” Beck said in an email. “He lives in Barberton in the ward as well.”

Charly Murphy, the owner of Bob’s Hamburg and Stray Dog will be there with his food truck offering hot dogs, chips and a drink for a $1 each.
Beck said she plans to make up 50 grab bags to give to kids. Parks and Rec is providing bottled water, chips, cookies, fruit-flavored snacks, paper plates and napkins, she said.

Councilwoman Rebecca Gearheart said the West Side Picnic she is hosting for wards 5 and 6 includes award-winning magician Bill Bishop, DJ providing music, Magic Pedal Company Bike and more.

UPCOMING EVENTS INCLUDE:
• 5-8 p.m. Saturday, July 18 Ward 4 Park Party at Decker Park – Councilwoman Emily Beck hosts the Ward 4 event with skateboard and grab bag giveaway, skate demos, DJ SounDeVice; $1 hot dogs
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 25 Ward 5 and 6 at Edgewood Park – the West Side Picnic includes food and fun and features award-winning magician Bill Bishop.
• 1-4 p.m. Sunday, July 26 Ward 2 picnic at Tuscora Park — Council members Julie Miller and Bryan Poorman host the ward community picnic.