Budget hearings are taking place in Wadsworth for the 2025 spending plan. One major improvement on the drawing board is a $1.9 million fix-up of Freidt Park, including a lighted baseball/softball field.
“The adult softball league was probably most impacted by the shutdown (closing of Memorial Park). The uniqueness of this field was that it was a lighted field…and that was the only lighted field they (adult softball league) could use,” said Interim Service Director Matt Hiscock.
The Freidt Park field would replace the lighted field at Memorial Park. The Friedt Park field would also be the home of Wadsworth youth lacrosse — and include two half basketball courts, parking lot improvements, a walking trail and turfed fields.
“In addition it does not have a restroom facility that uses city utilities…so we would need to build and include city utilities and restroom facility, modeling it after Memorial Park restrooms, standardizing our restroom facilities and that’s part of this potential proposal,” Hiscock said.
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More improvements are coming to Memorial Park. Next week, work will begin on water lines, sanitary sewers, and grading to allow for the splash pad to be installed. It’s anticipated the work will be wrapped up just before Thanksgiving.
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If you have driven through Downtown Wadsworth recently, you may have noticed work has begun on the Pocket Park. That work will be wrapped up by early-to-mid November. The pergola that will cover the stage area, and galvanized steel benches, won’t be completed until sometime next year.
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Wadsworth is also looking at redesigning and improving the parking lot directly behind the police department. A redesign of the lot would allow for more parking spaces to be created. Plus, city officials say there’s a need to make that lot more secure for police officers, court personnel and city hall workers. The cost of the project is slightly more than $500,000.
