Perry County Tribune:
Does Perry County Have A Park Board?
This article, written by Ben Carpenter, was first published in The Perry County Tribune on January 30, 2017.
The Perry County Park Board was formed in 1995-96 through the foresight of Probate Judge Luann Cooperrider. County Park Districts are authorized under chapter 1545 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Judge Cooperrider knew that without our own local Perry County Park Board, a neighboring board of park commissioners “may by agreement with the legislative or other public authority in control of parks or park lands either within or without the park district, assume control of all or a portion of any existing parks or park lands or otherwise contract or cooperate with such public authority in connection with the use, development, improvement, and protection of parks or park lands.”
“In such event, such parks or park lands may be developed, improved, and protected as in case of lands otherwise acquired by said board. This section does not authorize said board to acquire or control any park, park lands, parkways, playgrounds, other lands, or boulevards owned or controlled by any other public authority except by agreement as provided in this section”. (ORC)
In a nut shell another park district, (for example Columbus Metro Parks) could have had the ability to come in and assume control of park land in Perry County. With our own Park board this cannot happen without our consent. With a Perry County Park Board, we are assured that any County parks are governed by local people that have Perry County’s best interest and the interest of all Perry County residents at heart.
The Primary purpose of the Perry County Park board is the development, management and promotion of Outdoor recreation and tourism in Perry County. It is the goal of the board members to take advantage of all our local resources of people, destinations, and activities to improve outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities throughout Perry County.
The Park board has always consisted of three board members. The current board members are Theressa Snyder, John McGaughey and myself Ben Carpenter. On January 24th, the Park board met. Judge Cooperrider also attended. The Board elected to increase the size of the board to the maximum of five members. The Park board voted to appoint Steve Glade and Jenny Larue to the Board.
Steve Glade is a native Ohioan who, after teaching in public schools for 36 years, retired and started working on his bucket list. In August, he finished a two-year stint in the AmeriCorps Program while in service at the Perry Soil and Water Conservation District. He is a currently President of the Perry County Chapter of Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists organization. He also recently received his interpretive guide certification and kayak instructor’s certification. In college, Steve backpacked the Adirondack Mountains, becoming an Adirondack 46er by climbing the 46 highest peaks. He has also been a YMCA Adventure Camp counselor for 4 years in the Catskills mountains. Steve lives by a simple motto, “Life is better with a park in it.”
Jenny LaRue resides in Somerset with her husband William and our golden retriever Bo. Jenny states: My childhood was in a very rural area and we were allowed to roam as long as we finished the chores before our parents got home from work. So my environment was like a park. I grew up on a 160 acre farm in Coshocton County with a wonderful creek to walk, splash and play. I enjoy quiet walks in our parks quite frequently. My work included the newspaper business, circulation department in Coshocton and Tuscarawas Counties before moving to Somerset in 1993. Opening a bakery in Somerset and was co-owner for five years. I began working part-time at the PC Health Department in 1997 and have enjoyed many different roles at the Perry County Health Department in the Health Education department through grant funding. I currently manage the Creating Healthy Communities grant and my work involves Active Living, Tobacco Free policies and fresh locally grown produce availability in Perry County.
My husband and I enjoy camping, canoeing, hiking, golfing, swimming and travelling to State and National parks on the east coast. And I have a degree in Optometry.
