Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

I want to spend a moment to discuss a topic that is important to our Parks and Recreation department. This is a follow up to the discussion that began last night at our Joint Recreation Board meeting. At our meeting, I informed our board that we had received some great news in the mission to install six AED Towers in our Parks (Myeerah, Rutan, Blue Jacket, Harmon, Ratleff and Southview).

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been proven to be astonishingly effective in the event of a cardiac situation. When used within the first minute of collapse, survival can reach up to 90%, and within three minutes, survival for shockable rhythms can reach 50–74%

There are very few things we could invest in that would be as effective as these devices.

In addition to the value, providing them is now the law.

As of October 24, 2024, House Bill 47 amended Ohio Revised Code §§ 3701.85 and 3701.851 to require AEDs in public schools, youth sports organizations, and public recreational facilities, and to create a model emergency action plan for their use.

We have had AED's in our parks for years, but the challenge is where to safely and appropriately house them. We currently are forced to use concession stands or buildings that spend the majority of their time behind locked doors.

Our parks are alive throughout the day, evening, weekends and holidays. The amount of time it would take to get our current AED's unlocked and to an event would be the most precious moments in our window to save a person in crisis.

As one commentator has already mentioned, the AED and permanent tower come at a cost. We met with representatives at Mary Rutan Hospital for guidance on how to go about choosing, purchasing and installing. We are very grateful for their guidance and were thrilled to find they are also willing to help in the funding of this purchase.

As noted in the Park Board recap, we were also thrilled to hear from Christy Myers and her message that the newly founded Kris Myers Foundation wanted it's first act to be a $12,000 donation to our project.

Our job is to ensure our parks thrive in a variety of fashions. None more important than the safety of it's citizens.

We are excited to see this project through this winter.

Thank You

Rick Reed
Bellefontaine Joint Recreation Superintendent

10/07/2026

Last chance! It's not too late to sign up! 🏃‍♀️💨🏃💨

Come out and showcase your Chieftain Pride‼️

We are looking for more runners for our first Chieftain Charge!

Get a friend and sign up for the one-mile fun run!

Prizes for first place finishers and most spirited!

What better way to kick off homecoming weekend than with a little workout and some Chieftain pride?? 🎖️💪🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️

10/05/2026

Still thinking about participating?? 🤔

It's not too late to grab a friend and get in on the fun! ❤️🖤🤍

We are looking for more runners for our first Chieftain Charge!

Get a friend and sign up for the one-mile fun run!

Prizes for first place finishers and most spirited!

What better way to kick off homecoming weekend than with a little workout and some Chieftain pride?? 🎖️💪🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️

10/02/2026

📌Skills Assessment information for 2nd and 3rd grade rec basketball players 🏀⛹️‍♀️⛹️

10/01/2026

Have you seen The Chieftain Charge advertisements and are interested in dressing up and participating, but aren't sure what to do with little children who can't run? ❤️🖤🤍

No worries! Bring the kids along to participate too!

We are recruiting walkers too! What could be cuter than your child dressed up in their best Chieftain spirit gear???? 🥳🤗

Most spirited and top finishers receive $25 gift certificates from the Chamber of Commerce! 🎖️

09/30/2026

Getting parts for playground equipment can be challenging, but Parks and Rec Master Maintenance man, Rusty Shields, can fix anything. Appreciative that he’s able to use his skills to give our youth high quality play equipment.

09/29/2026

We are looking for more runners for our first Chieftain Charge!

Get a friend and sign up for the one-mile fun run!

Prizes for first place finishers and most spirited!

What better way to kick off homecoming weekend than with a little workout and some Chieftain pride?? 🎖️💪🏃‍♀️‍➡️🏃‍➡️

09/28/2026