DAYTON, Ky. (WKRC) — Students returning to Lincoln Elementary School after Spring Break were greeted with an exciting surprise: a new GaGa Pit, installed at Gil Lynn Park by the City of Dayton. The GaGa Pit, an octagonal game area designed for a fast-paced ball game, was officially unveiled during a special ceremony on Monday. The addition is the first in a series of planned improvements to the city’s parks, part of a broader $500,000 enhancement initiative funded by Dayton’s Park Tax.
The City Council recently approved a $111,300 contract for upgrades to both Gil Lynn Park and Sargeant Park. Among the planned improvements at Gil Lynn Park are four new pickleball courts, modern playground equipment, and resurfaced basketball courts. Mayor Ben Baker expressed his enthusiasm for the project in a press release, noting the importance of revitalizing the city’s park spaces.
“We are very fortunate to have seven great public parks in our City,” Mayor Baker said. “Gil Lynn is one of our largest and most active parks, but it is starting to show its age. These improvements will make it a more inviting public space for our children, our residents, and our visitors.”
The revitalization of Gil Lynn Park is part of a larger effort to enhance recreational spaces throughout Dayton. Superintendent Rick Wolf of Dayton Independent Schools highlighted the significance of the partnership between the city and local schools.
“The new GaGa Pit, along with the other planned improvements, means the world to these kids,” Wolf said. “It’s especially meaningful to them that they had the chance to voice their opinions and be heard by the City administration.”
In addition to the upgrades at Gil Lynn Park, Sargeant Park is also receiving attention. Recent trail improvements at Sargeant Park were funded by grants, and a major stream restoration project is underway in collaboration with the Northern Kentucky Stream and Wetland Restoration Program (NKSWRP). Currently under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this project is expected to cost around $1 million, with funding provided entirely by NKSWRP.
The improvements across the city’s parks aim to provide a lasting impact on Dayton’s outdoor recreational spaces, benefitting both residents and visitors alike.
