Boardman Township Park announces that free Wi-Fi is now available to park visitors.
      “The new network will enable visitors to get online and will enhance their park experience, while offering patrons the benefit of extended connectivity. The Wi-Fi will be accessible to everyone with a smart phone, laptop, or any Wi-Fi enabled mobile device. The name of the Wi-Fi access is Boardman Park WiFi,” the park’s executive director, Daniel Slagle Jr., said this week.
      Internet access will be available in the northern portion of the park, where all of the recreational facilities are located. The Wi-Fi access will start at the Rt. 224 entrance and extend southward to the Chester Long Pavilion. There will be no Wi-Fi access in the wooded, natural areas of the park. Additionally, there is Wi-Fi access in the Lariccia Family Community Center and the Georgeanna Parker Activity Center.
      “In today’s digital world, internet access is not a luxury, but a necessity as we move further into the 21st century,” Slagle said, adding “This service to improve connectivity in our park helps us further our efforts to expand park amenities and enhance the park experience for the benefit of our community.
      “Whether you are reading a book on your tablet while having lunch, hiking along the North Trail playing Pokémon, or checking your email or text at a family reunion picnic, there will be free Wi-Fi available. People will be able enjoy the outdoors while staying connected.”
      Taking a proactive approach concerning the safety of visitors and the protection of park property, 32 outdoor security cameras have been installed throughout the park.
      “This is part of our ongoing efforts to provide visitors with a safe and comfortable environment. These new cameras bring security to all outdoor facilities at the Park, and this will contribute greatly to the safety and security of our visitors,” Slagle said, adding “The installation of security cameras is another step to deter crime and assist police during their investigations”. The cameras will provide video surveillance for the playgrounds, walking trails, parking lots and other outdoor facilities.
      With pickle-ball being a popular and fast growing sport, Boardman Park now has two pickle-ball courts (set up on one of the park’s two tennis courts) available on Saturday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
      Another sport growing in popularity is disc golf. Disc golf is a social sport that everyone can play, regardless of age, ability, or gender and gives people an opportunity to enjoy nature while playing a competitive game. A committee of volunteers has researched and assessed the interests of the community regarding the establishment of a disc golf course in Boardman Park. The results indicate that there is a very high interest in the sport; therefore, plans have been developed to construct a nine-hole course at the park.
      However, because of the park’s limited budget, volunteers are reaching out to local businesses, organizations, and individuals to secure the necessary funding in order to build among the first ‘disc courses’ in Mahoning County. Disc golf has been a very popular sport at the national level since 1975, with over 1,700 courses. There are 54 courses in the state of Ohio. Any individuals or companies that would like to sponsor the disc golf course can do so by calling the park at 330-726-8105 to receive more information about sponsor levels and recognition.
      When deciding and planning on new improvements to the park, Slagle says he looks to the Park’s mission statement: “We are committed to creating wholesome opportunities to live and interact with family, friends and neighbors, which are opportunities for living, learning, and leading full and productive lives as well as avenues for people to experience purpose, pleasure, health and well-being.
      “The realization of our new improvements will facilitate the Park’s mission, and most definitely be an asset for the community.”