City transfers park to district

Council votes 7-0 for ownership change of Petrikis Park despite ex-mayor’s protest.

BELLBROOK — Despite a 30-minute attempt by former Bellbrook mayor Dave Buccalo to talk Bellbrook City Council out of transferring ownership of the city’s 1.5-acre Petrikis Park to the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District, the council voted 7-0 to make the transfer at its Oct. 11 meeting.

During the public hearing, Buccalo repeatedly told council “you’re giving away your culture, your heritage. You’re giving up ownership of this park to a third party. These parks help define Bellbrook.”

Former Sugarcreek Twp. Trustee Ben Rader also said he saw “no reason to give them this property,” while township resident Joan Gallagher said, “we need to start cooperating on some level.”

A separate ordinance introduced by council, that would transfer Bellbrock Park to the park district, will have a public hearing at council’s 7 p.m. Oct. 25 meeting.

That park’s deed states the land would revert back to Evelyn J. Brock, its former owner, or her heirs and assigns if it is not maintained as a park.

The deed for Petrikis Park states it would revert back to Bellbrook if deed conditions are not followed by anyone.

Bellbrook City Manager Mark Schlagheck said the city and park district have a memorandum of understanding giving the city the right to place underground utilities on Petrikis Park.

The park district has always maintained the parks and can more easily get state and federal grants for improvements, Mayor Mary Graves said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2341 or kullmer@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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