McDONALD — Village officials are reminding parents their children are welcome to attend summer park activities, but they must cooperate and follow the rules.

Mayor Ray Lewis said at a recent council meeting that while park attendants provide supervision for children, they are not babysitters.

He said there have been a few recent incidents of children not cooperating and following rules, and if this continues, village police will be contacted.

“I am reminding parents that if you drop off your children at the park and they cause issues, we will call the police. ” Lewis said.

Lewis said a few park programs were canceled because of the behavior of some children.

Councilwoman Kerry Reckard said the park is unique in that it offers movies, storytimes, programs and crafts for the children.

“The park attendants are there to make sure the kids are having fun. We are asking the parents to talk to and make sure the children are behaving. We have never had issues before and want to be able to continue programs for children,” Reckard said.

Resident Kathy Miskell said if more adults were in the park, it could help stop any problems with some children.

WEARING HELMETS

Lewis said he is also concerned about the safety of children on e-bikes, electric scooters and regular bikes.

“We need to get an ordinance passed. These kids need to be wearing helmets. I encourage parents to get their children helmets,” Lewis said.

McDonald police Capt. Brandon Caraway said there have been lectures at Roosevelt Elementary School telling students the importance of bike safety.

He said when police are patrolling the village and they see children wearing helmets on bikes or e-bikes, they will give them a coupon for ice cream at the Village Creamery.

Council President Sean Schmidt said council will look into some legislation being in place regarding e-bikes and helmets being required.

“We want to keep the children safe,” he said.

Lewis said the village, with help from KO Consulting, secured matching funds of $27,500 for resurfacing the pickleball courts.

He said plans are underway to get a disc golf course set up at the park with the baskets to be installed in mid-July. Lewis said there are also plans for a millworkers’ walking trail to also be placed at Woodland Park, with work beginning in mid-July. The trail will highlight the region’s steelmaking roots and the area’s rich Mahoning Valley millworker history.

In other business, Schmidt said Flock cameras have been installed and are only used for license plate reading. He said this is to let police know who is in the village in the event a person is being sought by law enforcement.