Stow · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Stow public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Maple Tree Contest
17 trees entered so far with entries open through September; members will pair up to measure drip lines starting mid-September.
Board Role and Meeting Format
All three committees are advisory with no budgets, and Twinsburg meets only six times a year. Twinsburg's year-long single-use plastic bag ban effort went nowhere because state law keeps bag bans out of cities' hands.
Fishcreek Elementary holiday tree project
The commission will decorate a tree for Akron Children's Hospital (theme: Urban Woodlands) and is planning supplies for the Fishcreek Elementary holiday tree.
Fox Den Golf Course fuel costs
More rounds played at Fox Den mean more fuel use — the committee approved up to $50,000 for gas and diesel from Port Petroleum.
Rare Disease Day event presence
A member is helping organize an Akron Children's Rare Disease Day event that may move to Cleveland and grow, possibly with an NFL player speaking. The commission may want a presence there.
Little free art boxes maintenance
Residents keep mistaking the little free art boxes for book libraries. A new parks staffer now stocks them with craft kits regularly, and the commission wants a rebranding push so people know what they're for.
City Center fence replacement
A deteriorated fence along the City Center complex near Valley Forge gets replaced for up to $40,471.20, with work possibly starting August 10.
Recreation Assistant appointment
Brooke Walburn's appointment as Recreation Assistant in the Parks & Recreation Department was sent forward for council confirmation.
Fourth of July parade participation
The commission will appear in Stow's July 4 parade on a float featuring a mini amp, fire pit, and music, with a lift available so all members can board. Members can walk alongside or ride.
Community film project proposal
A commissioner pitched making a movie as a community, learning filmmaking together week by week. Copyright, staffing and venue questions are big hurdles, so the idea remains in the exploratory stage.
Warm Up America blanket project
The annual Warm Up America program returns this year, with kits assembled after the June meeting and distributed through city hall, nursing homes, and schools. Lakeview crochet participants will be reminded to keep submissions at the required size.
Evergreen Park apartments game room for residents with autism
The family of an autistic resident at Evergreen Park apartments wants to create an accessible game/sensory room. The commission chair is connecting the family with Summit DD for design and support help.
Community literary anthology project
The commission's first-ever literary event will collect written submissions through a call for writers, without a public reading event in year one. A digital anthology may be produced depending on response — organizers expect anywhere from five to 500 participants.
Retirement of Parks Director Linda Nahrstedt
The board honored Linda Nahrstedt at what appears to be her final meeting, thanking her for years of leadership shaping Stow's parks and recreation.
AMP pop-up events move to new site
This year's park pop-ups are shifting to the AMP site — six Wednesday-evening events on the reclaimed grassy area, with a backdrop, sand play area, and blue construction fencing around the space.
Adopt-a-Spot City Hall planting
The commission will plant flowers in the six City Hall planters on Saturday, May 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. — plants are provided by the city, and anyone can pitch in.
Fox Den Golf Course renovations
The city is hiring GolfSense Inc. to renovate Fox Den, which brought in over $2.5 million in revenue last year — the city wants to keep the course competitive.
Urban Forestry Commission appointments
The Urban Forestry Commission wants faster pruning cycles, GIS-based tree tracking, an updated Tree Management Plan, and possibly an opt-out street tree program. It also flagged invasive Callery/Bradford pears along Route 91 and Route 8 for gradual replacement with native trees.