40. Community Need The City of Vandalia and the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services have determined that there is a regional need and desire by the greater community for inclusive park features that enable children and adults of all abilities to develop physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. The applicants seek peer review to strengthen funding requests totaling $400,000 (28.99% of $1,380,000 project cost) to build an inclusive playground, splashpad, and restroom at Robinette Park on Enola Court in Vandalia, OH. An inclusive playground incorporates designs that allow people who have mobility impairments to recreate with individuals who do not generally require assistance moving. The project is not possible without outside funding. The location is ideal because Robinette Park is already owned by the City of Vandalia and many of the park’s amenities are past their expected useful life. Robinette Park abuts an established neighborhood, grocery store and medical offices. There are also locally owned restaurants nearby. The park is easily accessible as a regional destination because it is situated six-tenths of a mile from the I-75 / National Rd. exit and 1,500 feet from the Vandalia Bikeway Connector, which will connect to the great Miami River Trail system and is scheduled to be built in 2024.

In November 2021, the City of Vandalia allocated approximately $100,000 to conduct the city’s first professional Parks & Recreation Master Plan with Pros Consulting and OHM Advisors. The purpose of the Parks & Recreation Master Plan was to assess the needs of the community, to explore best practices in the field, to identify opportunities, and to engage community stakeholders to achieve the appropriate balance of community programs, facilities, and amenities. The Parks & Recreation Master Plan included significant community engagement and was directed by a steering committee of Vandalia residents of varying backgrounds, Vandalia City Councilmembers, members of the Vandalia Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, parents, teachers, a police officer, a firefighter / paramedic, city staff, the Vandalia Butler City School District Athletic Director, and the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities Services Superintendent. The community engagement and factfinding portion of the plan included resident focus groups at city parks that were facilitated by city staff, a scientific mail out survey that yielded statistically valid and representative results, an online survey, virtual community meetings, and a park-by-park inventory assessment conducted by the professional consultants to evaluate inventory compared to community needs and industry standards. The Parks & Recreation Master Plan results indicate a regional need and strong desire for inclusive play structures and a community splash pad to provide an admission-free water feature in town. The Robinette Park Splash pad will be built to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and achieves several goals set forth by the community in the master plan. The master plan is in the process of being finalized and is scheduled to be adopted by the Vandalia City Council in January 2023.

Prior to installing an inclusive playground and splashpad, the applicants determined that the park would require a restroom facility that would include an adult sized changing station to accommodate the needs of families and groups. The applicants have budgeted $300,000 to build the restroom facility. In addition, the City of Vandalia plans to make parking improvements to accommodate group transportation and vehicles with accessible ramps.