Volunteers stabilizing Garfield Hall, replacing famous springs
by Sue Serdinak
June 24 RJRD meeting
The Richfield Joint Recreation District board held a short meeting with no committee reports, but the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve had a lot of information to share regarding their stabilization and restoration of Garfield Hall.
At their May 20 meeting, the RJRD board approved a 90-day plan for the Friends to evaluate and stabilize the building that James Kirby designed with springs under the floorboards. Kirby used the building as a dance hall because of the bouncy floor, and later the Girl Scouts used it as a dining and dance hall.
Corey Ringle, president of the Friends, reported on the extensive work the Friends have done on the building since May. They removed damaged portions of the floor and joists and determined that the porch’s broken concrete pad and footers were creating water problems. The concrete pad was not part of Kirby’s original structure and was likely installed by the Girl Scouts. It had to be removed so a porous hardscape could be installed.
They also evaluated the condition of the central floor beam, coil springs and floor joists and are searching for replacement materials. They found that the three-inch springs under the floor were still workable, but should be replaced.
A leaking roof had created some problems, and Hinckley Roofing offered to supply the labor and shingles to replace it.
To further protect the building, Friends removed fallen tree branches.
The Friends have asked the Akron Community Foundation for assistance with Garfield Hall restoration.
Utilities
Doug Wisnieski used old diagrams of the park to locate buried utility lines. He found that water lines to Coach House and Amity House were damaged, probably during road and culvert repairs a few years ago. The Friends have offered to finance minor repairs to the water line and determine if an additional well on the south end of the park can be repaired.
Amity House
Friends’ volunteers painted the gables on Amity House and did finishing work on the basement of the building, working around the building’s rental events.
County building inspectors gave final approval of all work on the structure.
Online store
Park Director John Piepsny reported that an online store has been established to sell park related products. The park will receive a portion of the sales from the store. The site is richfieldhp1.itemorder.com.
Spending limit
The park board approved raising the upper limit for purchases not requiring legislation from $50,000 to $75,000.
Board member Mike Lyons said the state is recommending the change.
Next meeting
The next board meeting will be July 29, rather than July 22, the regular date. ∞
The concrete porch that was built against
the outside wall of the Garfield building,
caused the wooden wall to rot, so the volunteers
ripped out the concrete. Photos
provided by Friends of RHP.
Gary LaGuardia and Doug Wisnieski
discuss how to proceed after the bottom
several inches of the outside wall of the
Garfield Hall was cut off because of moisture
damage.
Half of the floor of Garfield Hall was removed
and the famous springs were found
under the main beam.
Clive Fetzer looks at one
of original springs that
were found under the floor beam.
Volunteer Ursula McVey talked to children
attending day camp about the diverse
plant life in Richfield Heritage Preserve.
Volunteer Gary LaGuardia is excavating the area where the concrete porch was removed, to prepare the area for a new brick porch.
The Friends found replacement springs for the building. They are springs that are used in Honda vehicles. Photos provided.
Photo (main/above): Park volunteers Mike Horgan, Gracie Horgan and Karyn Aguilar worked on a section of the Buckeye Trail with Scout Troop 575. Photos courtesy of S. Czaplicki.