We all want a place to belong. It’s a deeply human need — woven into the fabric of who we are. As mayor, that question is on my mind daily: How do the services and programs we offer help our residents feel that they belong?
It’s not a simple task. But I’m proud of the ways our city administration — and in particular, our Parks and Recreation team — continually find ways to bring that feeling to life for people across our community.
This summer, I had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the dedication of the new Kleckner Park Adaptive Sports Field, a fully turfed field designed for residents with disabilities. It now serves our Challenger League baseball players and includes an outfield lined for adaptive soccer. This field isn’t just a new amenity — it’s a message. A message that says: You belong here, just as you are.
As a father of a child with disabilities, I can tell you, my daughter Katie didn’t ask for a ballfield. Most of the kids out there didn’t, either. They just know that it’s fun. But we, the parents, know what it means when your hometown carves out a space for your child. It’s not just a field. It’s an affirmation.
We’re also focusing more on serving our senior residents. Like the rest of Ohio, Green is aging. More than 20% of our residents are over 60, and I’m not far behind. Many of these residents helped shape the community we’re now building on. Some have called Green home since before our youngest Parks staff members were even born.
That’s why we’re expanding programming to support them. And in November 2025, we’ll open The CORE, Green’s Center of Recreation & Education. This facility will be a community hub for all ages. I’m especially pleased that The CORE has been designated a SilverSneakers facility, offering free fitness classes and year-round access to an indoor walking track for eligible seniors.
These investments aren’t just about amenities; they’re about belonging. They’re about creating spaces where people see themselves — because when we create spaces of belonging — for the young and old, the typical and the extraordinary — we all thrive.
That’s what makes Green more than a city. That’s what makes us home.
— Mayor Rocco Yeargin
