By Jerry Sowden - Bill Trypus, a retired Rocky Grove High School chemistry teacher, fishes in the Allegheny.

A planner with a Pittsburgh firm got an earful Tuesday from a small group of Oil City residents intent on ratcheting up the community's recreational offerings.

The residents' prime concern is public access to two waterways - the Allegheny River and Oil Creek.

Pashek Associates of Pittsburgh is conducting a countywide survey of recreation, parks and open spaces in an effort to "take a big picture look" at what is available and what should be added, said Ted Morus, a company representative, at a public meeting in the Oil City Library.

The study, coordinated by the Venango Regional Planning Commission, will be beneficial in numerous ways, Morus said.

Those benefits include: development of recreational venues will not be done haphazardly if a long-range plan is in effect; an inventory of what exists and what may be added will avoid duplication; and, a community with a plan in place is more likely to obtain state funding than those that do not.

While the project is county-wide in scope, four communities are getting closer attention because they have recreational, park and open space plans in place. The new study will enhance those existing plans in Oil City, Franklin, Cranberry Township and Barkeyville Borough.

To date, Pashek Associates has scanned recreation-related questionnaires; talked with representatives from school districts, communities and various organizations, including baseball leagues and the YMCA, about cooperative ventures; inquired about multi-community and multi-agency cooperative efforts; examined financial information as to what the county "can afford or not afford," and more.

Morus said the information will be used to develop recommendations and strategies on how "to improve recreation, finances and programming" throughout Venango County. That plan will be completed in late fall.

On Tuesday, it was Oil City's chance to chime in about its recreational opportunities as well as the state of its parks and open spaces.

"We've done the county-wide ideas and now we're asking specifically: What does Oil City want?" Morus told local residents. Attending were Mayor Sonja Hawkins, Councilman John Bartlett and city zoning officer Rick Cook. Media representatives and Will Thomas, an intern with the Venango Regional Planning Commission, also attended the 90-minute session.

Some two dozen Oil City-specific priorities were offered as a wish list for inclusion in the county recreation study:

Open up public access to the waterways from specific points - Siverly, Justus Park, the marina, and the former city incinerator site.

Showcase the city's wildlife resources, especially the aquatic life.

Completion of the bicycle trail from Petroleum Center through Oil City and farther to connect the West End trail in order to create a full link

Removal of silt from the West End Marina boat launch by dredging to improve access.

That topic prompted Hawkins to note that some reports suggest the launch cannot be repaired.

"Are the rules going to be, 'Oh, we can't do that,' or are they going to be 'We want to do that and so we will find a way?' I prefer the latter," Hawkins said.

Ensure continuous maintenance of existing recreational equipment and plan for updates

Improve the Oil Creek and Allegheny River banks for purposes of stabilization, aesthetics and public viewing

Develop an area at the West End Marina for camping and a canoe livery and install a pier

Capitalize on the Allegheny River to create a park-and-play, recreational water park for canoers and kayakers. Emphasis should be on all phases of the river within the city limits, from rapids to shallow inlets

Develop an ecological plan for Hasson Park to address drainage problems, tree damage, the rhododendron arboretum, wildlife habitat and more

Entice businesses specializing in fishing and boating to locate within the city

Identify ways to financially maintain existing city recreational facilities, paid for by city taxpayers but used by individuals and groups from throughout the region

Compile an inventory of city playgrounds, ball fields, tennis courts and more to determine if they are adequate

Create a community calendar to prevent duplication of events and overlapping dates

Consider how some obsolete play areas can be creatively adapted for re-use

Explore the possibility of locating an indoor hockey/skating rink in the downtown

Develop a multi-use athletic field for soccer, rugby, lacrosse and other activities

Add waterway trail signage along the river and creek

Preserve and maintain the city's Gateway Gardens

Plan a river walk that extends from Siverly to Main Street

Maintain open space corridors and viewing areas throughout the city

The ideas associated with Oil Creek and the Allegheny River will also be incorporated into the city's pending waterways study.

Oil City was tapped last spring to receive a state grant to study how the community can best capitalize on the waterways in its midst. The $75,000 study will focus on access, recreation, potential riverfront development, river walks and more within the city.