Message from Mayor Richard L. “Ike” Stage

Looking ahead to warm summer fun

Hello, summer!

It might seem a bit premature to talk about summer when our calendars have not yet flipped to the months that bring the most sun and warmth to a barefoot time of year. Yet, it is actually the best time to set our sights on the summer season.

The Grove City Parks and Recreation Department works all year on plans for activities to keep our community engaged, especially for long summer days when we can gather outside. From annual celebrations and concerts to summer splashing and youth sports, each year proves more exciting than the last.

The 2021 Grove City Little League baseball season was highlighted by the 12U AllStar Team representing Grove City in the Ohio District 6 Little League Tournament. Little League hosts an international tournament each year, which is the most widely known youth sports tournament in the world. The team finished second in the district with a 3-2 record, the best finish for a Grove City team since rejoining Little League in 2013.

With a proud youth baseball history dating back to the early 1900s, Grove City was one of five central Ohio communities that joined Little League in 1950 with four teams for boys ages 9-12. In 1998, the City took over organization of local youth baseball and reestablished affiliation with the Little League organization in 2013. Each year more than 700 boys and girls ages 5-17 participate in our spring-summer Little League baseball program. Baseball season kicks off this year during the Friday Night Grand Slam at Windsor Park, 6 p.m., Friday, April 29.

Grove City Buddy Ball welcomes another year of baseball fun for kids and adults of all abilities when the first pitch is thrown this spring. The nonprofit organization gives more than 160 children and adults from all over central Ohio a chance to make friends and play baseball on a specially designed field at the Mirolo Dream Field at Mount Carmel Stadium in Windsor Park. The league welcomes players, buddies and volunteers. Visit GCDreamField.com for more information.

We can’t talk about summer without mentioning The Big Splash! Crews are working on improvements for the 2022 swim season, including painting the water slides and installing a television. The City will continue its partnership with SwimSafe Pool Management for 2022 and currently plans to maintain season pass-holder and guest entry policies in place last season for the safety of all residents and staff. And finally, one of our most visited playgrounds is undergoing an exciting upgrade. Work has begun at the Discovery Frontier Playground at Fryer Park and will continue through the spring and summer as new play structures and climbing equipment are installed. Late last year, the City submitted a detailed capital Mayor Richard L. “Ike” Stage interacts with players during the 2021 Little grant funding request to League opening day. Ohio through State Senator Stephanie Kunze and Ohio State Representative Laura Lanese. If approved by the Legislature, the funding will greatly support the project and finance additional play structure upgrades for the enjoyment of all who visit. While I’m not wishing away winter or intentionally fast-forwarding through spring, I am looking ahead to summer and all the fun it brings to the community. Mayor Richard L. “Ike” Stage

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