"People don't like turns on a trail."

That was one of the first comments heard as people began Northwestern Recreation Commission's annual spring walk-around.

The walking path was mentioned several times during the examination of the community park and fields.

The path is being considered for improvement along with a fitness trail.

One possible change is a perimeter path with the mile-markers moved onto the new sites. Loops could take off from the main path to make shorter walks possible.

LeRoy Sorensen said there should be loops in the area of the playing fields so parents could watch their children.

An aerator that loosens the ground deeper than the one presently being used was discussed. The recreation commission would like the school district to share the cost and the use.

Ron Morrison asked about the horseshoe pits. He said the game is something he enjoys doing at picnics.

Beyond placing sand in the pits, there is nothing planned because people have to bring their own equipment.

New sand would improve the appearance of the area and make them more useful.

The clamps on one of the swings is loose and will be repaired. The faucet at the pavilion will be repaired. Water is still shutoff for winter.

As light bulbs tend to be broken, they will not be replaced in the pavilion built by the Lions Club. In addition, the park closes at dusk.

There are potholes to be filled on the road over to the lower auxiliary fields. Turf is poor in one and will be challenging to repair. Someone had driven on the lower fields leaving deep ruts.

Dan Terrell, Northwestern Youth Athletic Association soccer director, will be asked about use of the soccer fields.

The area that had been originally planned for a skating rink will be ready for field play this year. The lower parking lot needs more stone.

Several dead branches should be pulled down before they fall and one live one that leans over the field has to be cut.

Also, there are wires which may belong to PPL will have to be relocated before soccer can be played on that field.

Frank Chukoskie said lacrosse is looking for a field. They are presently practicing at Applewood.

"What can we do long-term on the basketball courts," asked Justin Smith.

Sorensen said Quikrete has a crack filler that will run down to the bottom of the cracks. Rob Serulnec said he could find another material to use.

The 6-foot by 6-foot boards at the ends of the volleyball courts will be removed and sand filled to the depth of mounds surrounding the courts.

An alternative is to remove the boards and make the sand area about 6 feet larger on all sides. New posts and nets will be added. The commission has nets to be used.

The first improvement is to remove the boards before someone is injured.

Don Link said they should have someone come in and do the entire job.

Katelyn Morrison said the high school uses the volleyball courts a great deal.

On field 5, areas were found where drainage is creating ditches. They will have to be hand-filled and raked to bring the areas up to the surrounding area so the water sheets across the field.

As the walk continued the same types of areas were found on other fields. Because of the sheeting due to the slight slope, the fields can be used while neighboring ones cannot.

Some minor fence repairs are needed as happens every spring.

Sorensen suggested the commission place stone the parking lot behind the garage along Route 309 because the owner lets the rec commission use the lot.

The owner is helpful by allowing parking in the area and crossing it for Night in the Country.

It should be fixed as a matter of courtesy, he said.

Field 4 is the hardest used but still holds up the best.

At field 4 is a monument stating "In Memory of Michael Lee Kemmerer."

No one on the commission remembers why the marker was placed, though two possibilities were offered.

The recreation commission is asking for anyone with information on Kemmerer to contact them.