Creating Healthy Communities Project Paves Access Pathway in Middleport Park

Creating Healthy Communities Project Paves Access Pathway in Middleport Park

MIDDLEPORT, Ohio – A new path will make accessibility at the Middleport Village Park easier.

A paving project has made Middleport Park a little easier for park visitors and folks with mobility issues. Thanks to funding from the Ohio Deptartment of Health’s Creating Healthy Communities (CHC) Program, which is administered locally by the Meigs County Health Department (MCHD), Middleport Village Park recently was upgraded with paved access from the Art Lewis Street entrance at the concession stand, back to the tennis courts, turning left, and ending at the dugout near the basketball courts.

“The paved trail within the park means that folks with mobility issues have much better access to the park facilities and a safe place to walk,” said Rebecca Zuspan, CHC Program Director. “The trail is approximately 600 feet long, and the Meigs County Health Department is thrilled we could collaborate with Mayor Hoffman and the Village of Middleport to make this happen for the community. Myers Paving (Henderson, WV) also did a great job. This project will benefit the Middleport community for years to come,” said Zuspan.

Anyone visiting the Middleport Park for ballgames or other outdoor activities over the years knows that getting around within the park was a challenge. With steep hills bordering two sides of the park along Broadway and Ash Streets, the primary access and parking is located along Art Lewis Street. Until now, getting to ball fields and courts in the park meant a trek from Art Lewis Street on an uneven gravel path.

The MCHD CHC Program is committed to preventing and reducing chronic disease statewide. Through cross-sector collaboration, CHC partners with stakeholders in Meigs County communities to improve access to healthy and affordable food choices and increasing opportunities for physical activity where residents live, work and play. More information about CHC can be found at https://meigs- health.com/public-health/ or by emailing [email protected].

Photos of the paving project below.