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HomeMy Public PortalAboutFebruary 2004 Master Plan Update Master Plan Update February 2004 On In January 2004, the Park Board held two retreats where the Implementation Schedule in the 2003-2007 Master Plan was reviewed and revised. Due to budget constraints and the 2002 Property Tax Reassessment Issue (no cash draws from the County Assessor's Office due to a delay in property reassessments.) the department, along with all other city departments, did not have the cash available to implement several projects. Therefore several items scheduled for 2003 were not accomplished and the board has included them in the attached new Implementation Schedule. Even though the department's activities were curtailed due to monetary restraints, the department was very active especially in the area of special interest projects. These projects are described below: People Pathways: In 2003, the City of Greencastle and the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department were awarded two grants. A Recreational Trails Grant was received for People Pathways: Phase V (formerly known as Phase 2B), the Big Walnut Sports Park Loop. Construction of this phase will begin in the Spring of 2004 to be completed by Fall of 2004. In December 2003, an ISTEA/TEA 21 grant was awarded to the city for People Pathways: Phase IV: The Health Link Trail,which will connect the campuses of Depauw University and Putnam County Hospital. The Parks &Recreation Department and People Pathways Committee are working to secure the matching funds needed for this project. Ifeik Maple-Berry Park: The Maple-Berry Park property was purchased by the Parks & Recreation Department in 2003 and public input sessions were held to assist in site planning the property. The Board decided that the property will consist of passive green space with a small playground on the eastern most section of property and a basketball court on the western end. A recycling grant of$5,000 was obtained to assist in the purchase of the recycled plastic playground equipment, park benches, picnic tables and trash receptacles. A phase 2 environmental study was conducted and discovered petroleum residual inside the perimeter of the eastern portion of the property. The Parks & Recreation Department, in conjunction with the city engineer,will be applying for a Brownfield Reclamation Grant through the Indiana Development Finance Authority to pay for the clean-up of the property before development. Rokicki Community Park: In late 2003, the City Council gave permission to the Parks & Recreation Department to develop a park on 40 acres of city property currently zoned for light industrial use. The city,with permission from the family, has named the park Rokicki Community Park in honor of Michael Rokicki, a councilman and community leader who passed away in August 2003. The Parks & Recreation Deparmtent hired Gove Associates to site plan the facility and held a public input session as the first step in that process. Currently, the acreage is mostly trees and grassland. The department plans on developing foot trails throughout the natural landscape with a 10-foot asphalt People Pathway surrounding the edge of the property. An ADA Accessible playground will be installed along with a community 1111114 room building. The property will also contain the "Yard Waste Site", which will serve as a Amendment-page two drop off point for leaves, and 3 acres have been set aside for a future fire department sub- station. ly The timeline for development of this park is 5 to 7 years. Big Walnut Sports Park: Late in the Fall of 2003, the Board of Park Commissioners signed a maintenance agreement with Big Walnut Sports Park, allowing the Parks &Recreation Department to take over day-to-day maintenance of the facility. This will serve as a first step in the eventual ownership of the facility by the City of Greencastle. The maintenance agreement took effect January 1, 2004. The Department plans on using the gift of the property as a match for future grant applications. In 2003, the Board of Park Commissioners also underwent changes with the resignation of Mace Terry, Board President, and the appointment of Dr. John Hennette to complete his term. The list and new officers for the Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners, for 2004, are: Leslie Hanson, President Tim Trigg,Vice President Becky Harlan, Secretary Dr.John Hennette, Member Russ Evans, City Council Liaison Margot Payne, Ex Officio Member -Putnam County Library Jeff McCall, Ex Officio Member - Greencastle Community Schools The Board is excited about the upcoming year and is enthusiastic about the city's support of its mission statement.