Growing up in Amherst, Ohio, there was always one thing my friends and I would experience: there was nothing to do. Now, as a parent of a 13-year-old, I see my child encountering the same issue. Despite the potential for adventure and play, Amherst lacks the facilities and infrastructure to keep our youth engaged and active. Other than aimlessly riding e-bikes around town, there are very few recreational activities for kids to enjoy. With no recreation center, most basketball hoops without nets or in disrepair, and the absence of a skate park, our children have no place to safely unwind, socialize, or nurture their talents.
This absence of facilities resonates with the age-old remark: "These kids need to get outside more." How can we expect our children to cherish the outdoors and relish an active lifestyle when there is no solution in sight?

From the age of 9+, it is no longer "cool" or interesting to just go outside and play with sticks, having fake battles with friends, etc.

 Investing in a recreation center complex is more than just building a facility – it's about building a community where children can learn, grow, and explore in a safe and structured environment.
A recreation center complex could offer various amenities, such as basketball/tennis courts, another swimming pool, fitness areas, skate parks, and spaces for after-school programs. A glaring absence is a hockey rink - we have one of the best high school hockey programs around and their home rink is in Elyria, instead of right here in Amherst. 

I have previously brought this up to one of our council members - which subsequently lead to a very brief pursuit of council-at-large on my end - and it was clear: Without the backing of the community, tax dollars coming from new houses are more important.

I based my idea on the land on North Lake - across from the police station - as this was previously up for sale. However, the sign has been taken down, but hope still lives to get a backing from the community to hopefully lead to a new place to hang out and enjoy friends.

The attached photo is a very rough outline of how this space could be better utilized than for housing. A rec. center does not take up much space if planned out. All the amenities are pulled from Google Maps, at scale, from other towns.