In spring before the sports season starts, members of the Northwestern Recreation Commission walk around the park fields to see what is needed to repair winter damage. This year, many of the fields were in use for practice.

Some items came from last year’s list. This included cleaning the mile markers on the hiking trail.

Lynn Township representative to the rec commission Justin Smith said he would arrange to have someone come over for pricing the new trail.

The cost may be split between the Northwestern Youth Athletic Association, the school and the rec commission to purchase and share the use of an aerator.

This is expected to be discussed at the March 30 meeting.

Todd Leiser estimated it would cost $20,000 and asked how the amount would be split.

In other matters, the horseshoe pits have been restored but users have to bring their own stakes.

Jim Hughes, maintenance person, said he needs more playground mulch on the lower playground.

The green paint on the monkey bars and swing sets need painting. Smith called someone to come over while the commission was there and submit a bid for the work.

Hughes suggested blacktopping the road across the creek to the newer fields. Drainage is a problem and paving would be needed only as far as the water ran. One spot is deeply eroded at the end of the section that needs ppaving.

Near the pavilion, water is going around the grate. It has to be funneled into the drain tank.

The blocks on the end of the bathroom are deteriorating. Members tried to go inside the lower level but the locks would not open. It is believed dampness is coming out from there as well as from the weather because that end of the building does not receive much sun.

Hughes asked if he could remove two dead trees near the roadway because they eventually will fall across the guide rails.

He was asked if anyone is using the fields across the bridge as they are seldom used.

The two are an odd size. “Should we fix it,” asked Link. If they are repaired it will be one at a time.

Hughes wants to plant forsythia along the side and end of the new field which was supposed to be a skating rink but never held water.

There is a dropoff behind the net and the forsythia would keep the ball from running off the field.

A small road ends in an area considered worth fixing for parking on the new field.

Cracks in the basketball courts held up better than in previous attempts to fix them.

The volleyball court is finished with sand placed and wood removed.

Hughes filled in some of the areas with poor drainage on the baseball fields. Field 3 still has some problems. A Grasshopper team was practicing at the time of the walk-around.

“The fields look great for spring,” Link said. He asked if anyone had ideas for use of the Potato Barn.

Leiser said roofing the barn, building the proposed trail and buying equipment are on the schedule when the money is available. Requests for bids for the barn roof will be requested.

They were pleased to see lighter-weight drags that will make care of the fields easier.

Hughes said the fences need some top rails.

As talk about where the hiking trail will go continued the questions were inside this, outside that, is there room here, and it was finally decided some of the new trees will have to be moved. No firm decisions were made.

Smith said since it will be a costly project, it should be done right.

The skateboard park is getting used. When it was built the measurements were those of a basketball court in case it did not get used. It is in good condition.