RJRD board finally allows open dialogue with Friends

by Sue Serdinak

Feb. 24 RJRD board meeting

The board of the Richfield Joint Recreation District had business to do, but more than 100 people attending the meeting (with a police officer in the back of the room), came to hear about ongoing issues involving the board and the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve.

A page attached to the meeting’s agenda had written responses titled “RJRD response” to questions and issues that arose at the previous meeting.

The Friends distributed an 11-page summary of their projects and activities since 2015, including their current financial report showing assets of $306,473, with restricted funds of $142,523 for the mill.

The report showed that the Friends helped prepare applications for the following grants: Pipeline Grant; LL Bean Programming; Rivers, Trails and Conservation technical assistance grant; the state budget grant, and a Nature Works Grant. In addition, they contributed money to purchase the park’s security system and to remodel the park office and renovate Amity House.

The Feb. 24 meeting differed from earlier meetings in that the Friends were on the agenda to speak. For the past few years, they were permitted to present a written report only. There was no dialogue between the group and the board.

None of the current board members served in the early days of the park, when several projects were started and agreements were made. Some board members said they were not aware of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         earlier agreements.

At the December meeting, the board voted to discontinue negotiations to create a memorandum of understanding with the Friends. Following that meeting, the park director changed locks so the Friends could not access any buildings or supplies for latrine cleaning and trash pick up. Their invasive species, docent and guided hike activities were canceled, in addition to the 2025 Winter Wonders event.

Friends’ historian Lynn Richardson said it has felt like “open season” on the Friends. “Ask us some questions,” she said.

Questions and answers

Board member Holly Price asked about the status of the Kirby Mill.

Richardson said the Friends have spent $266,000 to restore the mill and the water wheel. They’ve estimated it will cost $125,000 to complete the work. Kirby’s shop (in the mill) might remain inaccessible to visitors because it is difficult to make handicap accessible.

The Friends received an estimate for engineering to replace the suspension bridge connecting the mill house to the hiking trail. They are exploring different designs to lower the cost.

Board member Mike Lyons later said the governance committee only recently became aware of an earlier agreement giving the Friends permission to work on the mill.

Richardson pointed out that the Friends and their contractor have been locked out of the mill since December.

RJRD Chairperson Anita Gantner said work on the mill could continue.

Richardson asked if she could call back the carpenters who had been working on the building, adding that they no longer have access.  

“If there is no agreement, how can we give out keys?” Price said.

Donate to the park

Price asked if the group would consider making a line item in their financial report of money restricted for use by the park, exclusive of the Friends’ projects.  

Richardson said they could discuss how that would work.

Other issues

Price asked the Friends to explain work they did on the Kirby house. The park director had reported the Friends worked on the house without permission.

Friends President Corey Ringle explained that when they were doing authorized evaluation of the older buildings with a structural engineer, they discovered water damaged walls in the Kirby house. They repaired the wall after removing cabinets and vinyl flooring that was installed when the Girl Scouts owned the building.   

Ringle read from a log that the Friends invited Park Director John Piepsny to hear the evaluation of the structural engineer when he inspected the house.

“I don’t want folks to think we do things without permission,” Ringle said.

Ringle also offered to explain a problem with permits that kept Amity House from being rented in 2024. However, no board member asked to hear that information.

“We have a lot of skills and we’re eager to help. We don’t need an MOU, but we need communication,” Ringle summarized, adding later that the Friends began requiring written information from the park director to avoid miscommunications.

She thanked Gantner for allowing the dialogue and opening up the meeting for discussion.

“You see a group of people from the community who have extensive skill sets,” said Gantner. “They operate in a manner they think is best. … The Friends have stated they want to be more project oriented. … We need a nonprofit fundraising arm that will serve the needs that we have. … The Friends have declined to serve in that capacity.”

Later, Ringle said completed projects can generate dollars for the park.  “Instead of a direct gift of dollars, these are projects that can generate more revenue, like the Amity House,” she said.

Board members speak

All board members were asked to speak. “Everyone in this room is dedicated to this park,’’ said Vice Chair Mile Selig. “Thank you for having that passion. We need to continue to improve our communication. We’ve dropped the ball on that. Thank you Lynn and Cory for standing up there and speaking. … The park would not be where it is without the partner organizations.

“If the Friends elect to not be our fundraising arm, that is OK. … We hope those communication gaps can become fewer and fewer.”

Board member Steve McPeake said he favors forming a second 501(C) (3) to apply for grants.

Board member Mark Rosen said he has always been impressed with the support for the park. He suggested a formal agreement, even a simple license, is needed for each project that Friends does. “As part of the agreement, there should be a formal communication channel,” he added.

Board Treasurer Dave Wehner agreed, saying no one can deny what the Friends have done, and the board needs to offer a simplified MOU.

Lyons, chair of the governance committee, said the board was unaware of some pre-existing agreements and approvals.

“Lets take a step back and lower the temperature,” he said. He explained that the board is not permitted to hold discussions outside of a meeting setting. “That is a disadvantage. I ask you to take that into consideration,” he added.

Price said she wants to see defined projects to build up a certain level of trust. “What I’ve observed has been a little shaky,” she said.

Added Gantner, “We never said we would move the monies away from the mill. We regret that the MOU has expired. … There is no reason why the Friends’ projects can’t continue.”

Audience response

Gantner said audience members would be restricted to three minutes, and anyone being disruptive would be asked to leave.

Kelly Clark, a member of the original RJRD board, said the Friends lack transparency. “We need to see where their money goes,” she said, adding several claims of hostility, conflict of interest and lack of respect by the Friends.

When Gantner advised that her time was up, Clark continued to speak, reminding Gantner that she had asked her to come and speak. When she finished, she stormed from the room. Gantner said others could speak for five minutes.

Another former board member, Meg Slicak, said, “I’m so impressed. The Friends group has $300,000 in the bank with all of the spectacular projects that [they] have done. I’m so impressed with the board. … When I was on the board, there was so much disorganization. … We knew we needed to raise millions of dollars.  We had no money. … the community has gotten into fights over this park. The MOU was always at the heart of it. Forget about the MOU. You need project agreements because they are clear.

She ended by adding, “The park has never looked better.”

Marty Kruszynski, Richfield Village councilperson, suggested the Friends change their name to the Conservancy of the Richfield Heritage Preserve to better reflect the work that they do. He suggested that only three people from the group communicate with the board. 

Paul Swan, president of the Richfield Historical Society, acknowledged what the board expects from the Friends. “The burden of proof is now up to the board,” he said, adding that he appreciated the board finally allowing questions and answers at a meeting.  

Gary LaGuardia said he has worked thousands of hours in the park. “(Now) we can work only when park personnel are there,’’ he said. “We work after our normal jobs. That is often in the evenings. Sometimes it involves heavy equipment. … In the past we had keys to many of the structures.”

Bill Ridgeway said he has a construction management background and has enjoyed working in the park. He said restoring Amity House involved “a bunch of folks with a lot of skills. … To be able to work on that [Amity] House was a big thing … putting that thing back together.” He added that with older buildings, there are a lot of unknowns, and it is essential to have a direct contact person available.

Karen Smik said she wanted to clarify that the Friends did volunteer at park events and donated prizes. She said when they were asked to use their nonprofit status to acquire a liquor license for a park event, the liquor agency said it was too late.

“Where do we go from here? The Friends have projects that we want to do,’’ Beth Sanderson said. “They are not in the [park] books. Our events are not on the calendar. We can’t fundraise if we can’t have our membership meeting at the Lodge.”

Gantner responded that the Friends asked for approval of their projects when the MOU was about to expire. “We have to take that up as a board,” she said.

Said Ed Luther, “We have a jewel in the middle of our community. … I feel this was built upon the countless hours and the fundraising of this group. … I hope that together the board and Friends can keep this progress going. Actions speak louder than words.”

Christine Naizer said that several structures that would have worked as rental facilities for scouts were removed without approval of the board. She said approval steps should be followed before structures are demolished.

Additional speakers complimented the Friends and the board for trying to move forward.

Volunteer LaGuardia asked to read a quote to end the meeting: “A society is great when old men plant trees under which they will never sit.”

Official Business

In the business portion of the meeting, Lyons, as chair of the governance committee, said they are reviewing existing work agreements with affiliates to look at the relationships contractually. “It led to questions about existing working relationships that we need to follow up on,” he said.

The board approved a resolution to authorize Selig, as grant committee chair, to file an application for financial assistance under the Recreational Trails program of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. At an earlier meeting, Selig explained that they would like to make the trail leading to Amity and North houses ADA accessible.

Responding to a question from Price, Piepsny said that he had not authorized any work on gas or water lines in the park, although volunteers did install meters and tracked down where the underground water lines exist.

Piepsny also advised that the 2025 park program guide is online, with some printed copies. ∞