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Home My Public Portal AboutAGENCY PROFILE 14 ^ Agency Profile The Greencastle Parks& Recreation Department was established in 1956 when an ordinance was passed by the Greencastle City Council. The Department was reorganized in 1992 under Indiana Code 36-10-4. Four members of the Board of Park Commissioners are subject to appointment by the Mayor. The appointments are 4 year terms that are in staggered succession so two terms do not expire in the same year. There are no more than two of one political party serving under appointment. Other Ex Officio members include one member appointed by the School Board and one member appointed by the Library Board. There is also a member of the City Council that is appointed as a liaison between the Board and the Council. Current Park & Recreation Board Members are: Kent Menzel, President (1999) Darrel Thomas, Secretary (2001) Mike Rokicki, Member(2002) Open-Member (2000) Ruth Ralph, School Board Bonnie Nealson, Library Board Mark Hammer, City Council Liaison The Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners meets regularly the first Wednesday of each month, at 7:00 p.m., usually at Putnam County Library. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Board of Commissioners Function The primary function of the Board is to establish and implement policies and objectives for effective administration and implementation of the park and recreation projects, activities and programs. In addition, it is the responsibility of the Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners within the framework of Indiana Park and Recreation law - I.C. 36-10-4 to : 1. Evaluate the department's activities to assure that its policies and objectives are being carried out. 2. Support the Director whose primary responsibility is to administer, implement and supervise the park and recreation employees and programs. 3. Work with the Director in the development of a sound financial plan, and preparation of an annual Budget that will enable follow-through on that plan. 4. Secure adequate budget support. 5. Authorize payment of bills and claims. 6. Inform the public and city administration about the significance and needs for open space, facilities and programs. 40 15 .-� 7. Provide liaison between other community agencies to assure coordination with and support from these agencies. 8. Encourage citizen involvement and support through various community and private organizations. The duties of the Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners as outlined by Indiana Code 36-10-4-9 include: 1. Exercise general supervision of and make rules for the department. 2. Appoint the necessary Administrative officers of the department and fix their duties. 3. Establish rules governing the use of park and recreation facilities by the public. 4. Require the Department of Public Safety of the City to detail Police Officers to execute the orders and enforce the rules made by the board. 5. Prepare and submit an annual budget in the same manner as other executive departments of the unit. 6. Appoint a member of the Board to serve on another kind of Board or Commission(i.e. Planning Commission), whenever a statute allows a Parks & Recreation Board member to do this. Progress Evaluation To properly plan for the future; a review of the past achievement must be taken. As a small community, Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department has made considerable improvements over the past few years. 1994-1997 1989-1993 Resurfaced Circle drive in the park Rebuilt Softball Diamond Improved overall maintenace of park Rebuilt Shelter#2 Increased programming Contructed new Aquatic Center Repainted stands at ball diamond Built Shelter#5 Constructed new restroom New play equipment installed Purchased new John Deere Tractor Remodeled bathroom in Park House Reconstruction of DAR cabins Planted new flower gardens and 35 trees Permanently closed Anderson Street entrance Installed and landscaped Heart Trail Constructed new playground (Shelter#2 and#5) Installed new gates at entrances Remodeled Park House Refurbished Shelter#1 16 Growth Trends The Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department has grown over the past five years. This growth is reflected in increases in the department's budget, the addition of several new programs, an increase in the number of people being served by the department, and an increase in the number of volunteers who are working to improve recreational opportunities in the community. Robe-Ann Park is currently the only park facility under the control of the Parks& Recreation Department. A new Aquatic Center, new playground equipment, a fitness trail, a new restroom facility and two new shelter houses have been added with in the last five years. The community has been very supportive of the changes that have occurred at the park. However, for this trend to continue the department will have to look towards acquiring new park lands in order to meet the community's needs. From 1993-1997 the budget increased a total of 37%. The largest percentage increase was in the areas of capital outlays which jumped 110% in a 5 year period. There were also large increases in the areas of repairs and maintenance and professional services. Recently, the City Council approved a non- reverting capital fund to help the department save money for major repairs or improvements to the park. In 1997, an ice skating rink was purchased and the 1998 budget includes $28,000 for resurfacing of the tennis courts. The community understands that it must continue to financially support the department in order to provide quality recreational experiences. The number of people being served by the department has grown over the last few years. S.P.A.R.K. (Summer Program of Awareness and Recreation for Kids) has experienced growth both in the number of children participating and in the number of teenage and adult volunteers that assist in the program. There have also been increases in participation in the Learn to Swim programs, Tot Day, and the 5K run. With maintenance being a top priority, Robe-Ann Park's appearance has improved and more people are using the playground facilities or just coming in for a leisurely lunch at one of the picnic tables. The Concert in the Park Series (co-sponsored with the Greencastle Civic League) has also brought more people to the park. The Aquatic Center has also been a major draw for both children and adults in the summertime. More swim lessons have had to be added to the schedule and there are currently plans to increase the amount of deck space by moving one of the fences back. A recent focus of the department has been to increase programming year-round. New programs added in the past two years include the Halloween Trail of Fear, a costume and pumpkin carving contest and a turkey shoot. Over the next 5 years this trend will continue as more and more people come to rely on the department to provide them not only with well-maintained facilities but with affordable quality programming for their families. One of the most important growth trends affecting the department concerns the increase in the number of park volunteers. Four years ago, a Friends of the Park association was formed. In 1995-1996, they were instrumental in the acquisition of new playground equipment. Also, People Pathways, an organization dedicated to connecting the green spaces in the community has been very active over the past two years. Along with the community members who volunteer for S.P.A.R.K., the 5K run, the Halloween Trail of Fear and other programs the department can expect more assistance from the community as it grows. Y • • 17 Natural Features The City of Greencastle as it is today had limited open spaces with park potential. There are however, several small, privately-owned lots of land scattered throughout the City that could be used for small neighborhood recreation areas. One proposed area contains Big Walnut Creek which could be developed into a passive recreation area. The city is also home to two facilities that have great potential. One area that has already begun to be developed but has yet to reach its potential is Big Walnut Sports Park. The other facility (as yet untouched) is a quarry just east of Robe-Ann Park. If the two mile fringe area is included in our analysis that would increase the amount of land that has park potential. Some of the areas include abandoned rail lines north, south and east of the City near the Green Acres County Home. The surface features of Greencastle are characterized by some hilly areas, steep sloping lands in the drainage ways and the level glacial plains. Soils data suggest that lands with 10-12% slopes may cause problems. The standard slope used to separate prime building land from marginal land is 15%. Generally, the change in elevations in the planning area are gradual so that there are no broad areas of marginal land, although the Big Walnut River Valley displays an abundance of relief. The areas in the northwestern quadrant of the planning area and those in the SW quadrant are areas of steep slope or areas where the topography is etched out in a network of numerous short gullies and ravines which terminate into sinkholes into which surface water drains. This type of topography could limit the type and amount of development that may take place in those areas. However, this does leave several plots of vacant land situated on the more level glacial plains making them candidates for development. Man-made Features The Greencastle Parks & Recreation is always looking to create more recreational opportunities to its citizens. Since we do not have any indoor recreational areas we are continuously looking for other sources outside Park property. We are currently using the facilities at the Greencastle Schools, Putnam County Schools, Depauw University, and the Putnam County Library for some of our activities. The following three pages have information on the City/County population, Lobor force in Putnam County, Major Industries, Transportatiion options, Utilities, Vocational Colleges/Schools, Colleges/Universities, Educational Facilities, Medical Facilities, Housing, Government and Services, Taxes, Recreation, Financial Institutions, and where locate additional industrustrial information. e Greencastle, Indiana Greencastle,county seat of Putnam County, is Iocated 40 miles west ofIndianapolis and 35 miles east of Terre Haute,U.S.36 is 18 nine miles north and I-70 is seven miles south of the city. _ .pulation 1970 1980 1990 1995 Estimate • City 8,352 8,403 8,984 10,018 County 26,932 29,163 30,315 33,080 Labor Labor Force in County 19,200 Indiana Employment Security Division Office Western Indiana Private Industry Council, Inc. 620 Tennessee Street Greencastle, Indiana 46135 Major Industries Product Employment Union Lone Star Industries, Inc Cement Produce 145 LLGCW Lobdeil/Emery Metal Stampings ,7 5 UAW Shenandoah Industries Auto Door Trim Parts 900 None TechnoTrim. Inc. Auto Seat Covers 330 None F. B. Distro Women's Clothing • 194 None Heartland Automotive Auto Interior Parts 250 None I-ii.APPICO Auto Exterior Parts 520 None North American Capacitor Company Capacitors 140 None Wal-Mart Distribution Softiine Distribution 950 None Crown Equipment Corporation Fork Lifts New Company None Transportation RAIL • -. Conrail and CSX Railroads HIGHWAY Interstate 70,U.S. Highways 36,40 and 231 TRUCK Alpis,American Freight,Blazer,CC(Conway Central,Carter Transport,Central Transport,Crete, Desperado,Emery Air;FedEx,Fright Master,Gotah,Gully,Hall.Brothers,J.B.Hunt,Liberty,Logistics Partner,Mackie Transport,MKM,Overland,Owezx,Parker Motor Freight,Pegasus,Pioneer,Preston,Right 0 Way,Roadway,Schneider National,TNT Holland,UPS;Yellow Freight. AIR Putnam County Airport is presently undergoing an expansion which will handle mosr corporate jets commercial service at Indianapolis International Airport BARGE • 41111 None Utilities . ELECTRIC PSI Energy 19 GAS Indiana Gas Company,Inc. WATER Municipal service with deep well source TELEPHONE General Telephone Company of Indiana, Inc. • Vocational Colleges/Schools Pumam County Area Vocational District. Greencastle High School offers vocational courses and adult eduction. Indiana.Vocational and Technical College campuses are located in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, plus a satellite campus in Greenc stie. Colleges/Universities DePauw University Greeencstie.Indiana Wabash College Crawfordsville. Indiana 2;miles Rose-Huiman Institute of Technology Terre Haute,Indiana 30 miles Indiana Stare University Terre Haute.Indiana 35 miles Indiana University Bloomington,indiana 45 miles Educational Facilities Teacher Total Ratio Students 411) Elementary schools 1:17.5 351 One middle school 1:17.3 494 One senior high school 1:19.3 612 Medical Fa dl ities HOSPITALS BEDS Pumam County Hospital 35 PHYSICIANS DENTISTS 21 8 OTHER EACI ITES Three nursing homer,Putnam County Operation Life Emergency Ambulance Service; Life Line Helicopter Service minor emergency care clinic. Housing • Many subdivisions serve Greencastle and the immediate area offering both new and esistinng homes and available building lots.in all price ranges.Many apartment building,completes and condos are available in a. wide price range.Also available,an apartment bniidin;and one multiple unit complex for the retired and elderly. w • Government and Services ADMINISTRATION Mayor and five-member city council;third class city 20 PLANNING AND ZONING Planning Commission and City Zoning Board ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Frve-member commission for industrial expansion LAW ENFORCEMENT Chief and 12-man force FIRE PROTECTION Chief and 11-man force WASTE REMOVAL Weekly collection SEWAGE Municipally owned sewage treatment plant;22 MGD capacity WATER Present system capacity 2.2MGD (4.0 MGD expansion in progress) Taxes Payable in 1995,subject to approximately 17% Property Tax Repiacemenr Credit for City: PROPERTY TABS City 311.17 per S100 Township S 8.92 per S100 Local property taxes are assessed on a base of 1/3 true cash value...airrent rates for adjacent townships available on request. County Adjusted Gross Income Tax eauais 1.259% or-Gross Payroll for prone.-tv tax relief. State sales tax 5%on all sales at retail—food products ccemot. "'Recreation Greencastle has two city parks. including a public swimming pool, tennis courts,fishing, piaygrounds and picnic area. Big Walnut Sports Park offers 80 acres of recreational facilities. east of Greenmstie. Windy Hill Country Cub, private,with golf course and swimming pooi. Seven state parks within one-hour drive.Two lakes within 30 miles. Old Hickory, 18-hole public golf course. Financial Institutions Assets 'National City Bank(Greencastle) S35,000,000,000 ''Total Corporate Assets First Ciri7 ns Bank&Trust Company S 164,000,000 (Old National Bank Company) First National Bank(Cloverdale Branch) S 2,235,000 Industrial Sites For industrial site or other information,write or phone Revised 1/96 PSI Energy,Inc. William A.Dory,Jr,Director Economic Development Services Greencastle/Pumam County Development Center 1000 East Main Street 2 South Jackson Street,P. O. Box 572 Plainfield Indiana 46168 Greencastle,Indiana 46135 ,--,Phone 317-838-2000 Phone 317-653-2474 2oll-fry 800-688-0688 Fax:317-653-6385 I N OLIN A N A PSI• E R G Y PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT 21 Map 00 to