American Structurepoint Director of Landscape Architecture Mark Underwood introduced a plan for Belpre’s Civitan Park during a Monday evening meeting at Belpre City Hall. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

BELPRE — Belpre city officials and residents gathered Monday to review the proposed master plan for revitalizing Civitan Park, a 41-acre community hub in Belpre.

The plan was developed in partnership with engineering firm American Structurepoint.

The project, now in its planning phase, incorporates feedback from community members, focus groups, and a local steering committee. The plan outlines a multi-phase redevelopment that modernizes park facilities, upgrades ball fields, improves accessibility, and introduces new amenities while maintaining the park’s role as a social and recreational anchor for the city.

“Our goal is to make Civitan Park a more relevant and accessible space for current and future generations,” said Mayor Susan Abdella. “Just to have this plan, to give us a road map, so everyone can be on the same vision, so that no matter who comes next…all of our groups will now have the same vision, and we can all work together.”

Mark Underwood, Director of Landscape Architecture at American Structurepoint, presented the plan

Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella thanked the community for their support of the Civitan Park Project and welcomed them to the presentation of the park’s master plan Monday evening at Belpre City Hall. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“We’ve worked closely with the community and city leadership to understand both the park’s context and its potential,” said Underwood. “From athletic fields to walking paths, we’ve looked at how to elevate what’s already working and enhance areas that need more attention.”

Key components of the proposed plan include:

* Modernized athletic fields, potentially with turf for multi-purpose use, to support growing demand for youth flag football and other sports.

* Expanded and relocated inclusive playgrounds, with updated equipment and accessibility considerations.

* New courts for pickleball and tennis, consolidated near the existing high school field.

Haddie Fund representative Travis Williams discusses the design of accessible playground equipment for Belpre’s Civitan Park at Monday evening’s meeting at Belpre City Hall. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

* Improved lighting and public safety features, supported in part by So-Pak, a project partner.

* Future potential for riverfront enhancements, such as a performance stage or barge-based restaurant, pending further feasibility studies.

Due to the site’s proximity to wellhead protection zones and its location in a floodplain, certain uses, such as a dog park, were ruled out to maintain environmental compliance. The plan also takes into account infrastructure elements like parking, restrooms, and trail connectivity, as well as ongoing wastewater treatment upgrades nearby.

Underwood emphasized that while the plan reflects community priorities, it is designed with flexibility.

“We’ve created a roadmap, but it’s built to adapt as funding and community needs evolve,” he said.

A new all-abilities playground is also planned for Civitan Park. Travis Williams, who represents The Haddie Fund, named after his daughter, teamed up with American Structurepoint and the city of Belpre to ensure the playground aligned with the rest of the park project. The Haddie Fund’s mission statement is “to bless and equip children and families in the Mid-Ohio Valley with medical handicaps and disabilities.”

The playground, designed to serve children of all abilities, is part of a larger, phased master plan to redevelop Civitan Park into a more accessible space. Designs for the project are finalized and according to Williams, the “check is already in the mail” and he anticipates progress on the project will begin in September.

City officials say the plans for Civitan Park will soon be made available to the public in PDF format at www.cityofbelpre.com in the coming weeks.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com