Park and road improvements included in Brunswick's proposed 2026 operating budget

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick's proposed operating budget for 2026 includes funding set aside for road projects and park upgrades along with other capital improvement projects. Approximately $2.5 million is allocated for the neighborhood road and concrete panel replacement program in the proposed budget. Finance Director Todd Fischer said that includes costs for concrete, asphalt, engineering, inspections and catch basins. "We can expand well beyond what we get in property tax dollars because of interest revenues, general fund transfers and gas tax dollars, and that's how we can get to this $2.5 million," he said. The Center Road waterline improvement project is also part of the budget. Brunswick was approved for a water main replacement grant to be used for Center Road from Garfield Avenue to 400 feet west of Troon Avenue. The total estimated cost of the project is around $1.2 million, which is included in the proposed budget. The city expects being reimbursed for the waterline improvement through an approximately $712,000 grant, while Brunswick is solely responsible for road repairs to the site. The Laurel-Maxwell intersection project is expected to be finished in 2027, and it comprises reconstructing Laurel Road from Pinewood Drive to Coventry Drive and installing a roundabout at the intersection of Laurel Road and Maxwell Boulevard. About $1.5 million is allocated for this project in the budget proposal. Brunswick has been approved for a $720,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant for the Laurel-Maxwell project, while the local share is anticipated to be around $806,000. Right-of-way and easement acquisitions still need to be finished prior to bidding the construction. On the other hand, future park improvements are being guided by the city's recently developed parks master plan. The following park improvements are included in next year's proposed operating budget: The installation of two new baseball fields at the new park at Grafton Road and North Carpenter Road for $1 million. Parking lot improvements at Bridgeport, Hopkins, Mooney, North Park, Pumpkin Ridge and Shenandoah for approximately $608,000. Bathroom improvements at existing parks for $100,000. New playground equipment at Venus Park for $60,000. A new tennis/pickleball court at Pepperwood Park for $50,000. The replacement of a light pole for field lights at Neura Park as part of an annual replacement program for $28,000. There are about $260,000 additionally included in the budget for various other park improvements and equipment that are each less than $25,000, Fischer said. Projects include fencing, paving, basketball courts and lighting upgrades. New vehicles are also part of the proposed budget. For example, a $2.5 million replacement ladder truck for the division of fire is included alongside approximately $319,000 to be used for a medic unit chassis and other miscellaneous equipment. "The division of fire has been requesting (a ladder truck) internally for years, but we wanted to focus on the fire station," Fischer said. "Now that is coming to fruition here, we're looking to replace a ladder truck." There is $242,000 allocated for three marked vehicles and one unmarked vehicle for the division of police as well as about $51,000 for pistol replacements. There is also $45,000 earmarked for a replacement animal control vehicle and about $38,000 for a Kubota tractor for the parks department. Fischer said the capital improvements are achievable because of a financial plan the city bought into 15 years ago in which department heads were encouraged to save more. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.