State funds help million-dollar dreams come true at Boardman Arts Park

A $1 million award from the state of Ohio has moved Boardman Arts Park one step closer to putting a dream into action.

Allotted the money from the state's One-Time Strategic Community Fund , park staffers have earmarked it for a purpose some might call "whimsical." However, their idea is hardly a whim; it's a project that's a long time coming.

With the state's funding, Boardman Arts Park is 93% of the way to the $1.07 million needed to complete Phase 1 of the Whimsy Venue, a 2-acre performance area on its festival field facing William Street.

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There will be two phases to complete the venue, with a total estimated cost of $2.5 million.

Phase 1 of the project includes:

• Building a 50-feet-by-30-feet stage that will look like a towering structure growing out of the ground and featuring a canopy made of colorful steel and iridescent resin. The size of the stage is intended to accommodate large bands, symphonies, dance troupes, theater productions, comedy shows, movie screens and other presentations
• Enhanced grounds including an ornate, wrought-iron fence (replacing the current chain-link) with walk-in and drive-in gates; a community-designed/created mosaic entrance from William Street, landscaping and paths connecting the features of the space and additional parking

"We will break ground in the fall of 2024 and expect to complete Phase 1 before our 2025 season opens in late May 2025," said Roxanne Amidon, director of Boardman Arts Park.

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Boardman Arts Park has served as an art and event space since 2017, hosting happenings like the Delaware County Beer & Wine Festival . The Delaware Music Festival will debut in September.

Other offerings include an outdoor gallery with more than 100 art pieces and the Imagination Space, which features a wildflower maze and other attractions. The park also boasts both a little lending library for books and a leave-one, take-one plant library.

bpaschal@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: State funds help million-dollar dreams come true at Boardman Arts Park