HomeMy Public PortalAboutFISCAL PLANNING 43
"--N, Fiscal Planning
Good fiscal planning with public funds is the responsibility of a Parks &Recreation Board. In
Greencastle, as with other communities in the State, the stress of demands and needs with budgets
restraints can be felt. It is crucial that every dollar received is utilized to the maximum benefit of the
residents of Greencastle. Proper fiscal planning would require scrutiny of each program, facility,
operations and expense while attempting to increase revenue.
Parks and recreation departments, over the past 25 years, have been experiencing a process
towards charging more fees to generate additional revenue. Today, there are only a few major
departments that do not have some type of revenue-producing activity within their program. If managed
properly, these departments have produced more and better services. To achieve this, parks and
recreation departments had to re-evaluate and possibly modify several of their traditional policies and
practices.
The Parks & Recreation Department, one of many departments within a community, plays a vital
and supportive role. Parks do contribute to a community more than most realize. Parks are aesthetic,
greenspace areas that contribute to the well-being of a community and its residents. The benefits are
endless. They provide recreation opportunities for the young and old alike. Parks can help add the color
and spark to a community, they tend to draw people and businesses to settle down and enjoy the area.
Parks are for people and people make a community.
While the needs and demands from other city departments are growing, as well as the needs and
demands of the Parks & Recreation Department, the available funding is getting tighter. The Parks &
Recreation Department is fortunate in that it is one of the few departments that can generate revenue to
r help offset budget needs. The challenge for the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department is how to
meet the expanding needs as tax-based resources diminish, and fees, charges, concessions, and other
revenue generating activities and programs become increasingly important. The question facing the
Department is no longer whether revenue-producing programs and facilities should be developed, but to
what degree such programs and facilities shall be developed.
1998 Budget Summary
Trying to balance increased demands for recreation and facilities with available monies will be the
challenge in 1998 for the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department. There will be greater pressure to
raise revenue and reduce expenditures in order to balance the budget.
The 1998 budget is $334,638.00 which is a 11% increase from the 1997 budget. Personnel
services, supplies, and all other areas have increases with capital outlays being the major increased area of
the budget.
In order to meet budget requirements, the Parks & Recreation Department will need to control
expenses and raise income at the same time to meet the demands of the community. Possible suggestions
include:
1. All existing programs should be evaluated to their effectiveness and cost. Make
as many recreational programs self-supporting as possible.
2. Review all fees and rental schedules.
3. Increase solicitations for gifts, donations and volunteers.
4. Work to obtain grants for future projects.
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Existing Parks and Facilities
An inventory of existing recreational areas and facilities is the starting point in identifying the
needs and demands of the community.
Recreational needs are compared to existing sites and facilities to identify potential areas for
expansion, development or improvement.
Robe-Ann Park
This is the major park for the City of Greencastle. It is 28 acres located on the south side of
Greencastle on State Rd 231. The park contains all the major sports facilities. There is a lighted softball
diamond, 5 tennis courts, outdoor basketball court, horseshoe pits, a volleyball area, fitness trail, the
aquatic center, and playgrounds. The park has three pavilions or shelters that are rented for family
reunions and other meetings. There is a bandshell that is located in the park. This is the site of the
Summer Concert Series that is sponsored by the Civic League and the Park Department.
Jaycee Park
Jaycee Park , which is located on Airport Rd., was developed for the city by the Jaycee
organization and then leased back to the Jaycees. Currently, the Jaycees maintain the park and have built
a meeting facility there, which they also rent to the public. They have hired a groundskeeper, who lives in
a trailer on the property. The Park's main purpose is outdoor recreation. There is a small pond and
marked trails through the woods. There is also a playground and picnic shelters. Further development of
the park is under the control of the Jaycees.
School Sites
City Schools
There are three elementary schools within the City of Greencastle. Each has an adequate to large
size open area and playgrounds. At the present time all the facilities are open to the public but not
programmed. Each facility has a gym and classrooms that could possibly be used for programming.
Because of school programming, gym space is at a premium. For arts, crafts, or other non-active
programming the classrooms would be very sufficient.
The Middle and High School facilities are in excellent shape. The facilities consist of sports
facilities, one shelter house in an on-grounds wooded area. Facilities are mainly used for school functions
and are not readily available for community use. The school's swimming pool has been offered for
various community aquatic programs. The community has been able to use the school facilities for single
time uses during the school year, and for extended times during the summer.
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' DePauw University
DePauw University is located within the city and has extensive sports facilities. An indoor facility
contains a metric/yd. capability swimming pool, a multi-use gym, practice courts, dance room, 2 weight
rooms and classrooms. Outdoor facilities consist of sports/practice fields and a campus square area with a
small pond. Use of these facilities by the public requires an annual membership fee. During the summer,
week-long youth sports camps are available at a fee. A university astronomy observatory offers programs
open to the public for free at various times of the year. The newest facility is an Exercise Trail.
Other Recreation Areas and Facilities
Big Walnut Sports Park
This park is operated by a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is the development of eighty
acres of land for a sports park for the county. The facility includes 5 soccer fields, 3 girl's softball
diamonds (1 lighted), a Babe Ruth diamond, 2 sand volleyball courts and 2 Little League Baseball
diamonds. The facility also includes a maintenance barn, a concession stand with a restroom, and three
picnic shelters. The park is planning to add two adult softball diamonds and a walking path. The Park
Board and People's Pathways are hoping that sometime there will be a walking,jogging, biking path that
connects with their site.
Additional
Surrounding Greencastle and in Putnam County are several recreation opportunities for the public
to enjoy. Roachdale and Cloverdale both have small parks for the community. Located nearby Putnam
County are Lieber State Recreation Area, Shades State Park, Turkey Run State Park, McCormick's
Creek State Park, Hall Wood Nature Perserve, Fern Cliffs Nature Perserve, Cataract State Recreation
Area, Heritage Lake and Van Bibber Lake.
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/„.. GREENCASTLE PARKS & RECREATION INVENTORY
Publicly Owned Facilities
Robe-Ann Park
Control: Municipal
Classification: Park and General Recreation
Service Area: City
Size: 28 acres
Activities: Playground Areas 3
Aquatic Center 1
(50 meters, zero depth, 151' slide, 1 and 3 meter diving boards, kids pool)
Softball Diamond 1 (lighted)
Horseshoe Courts 2
Picnic Shelters 3 (electricity)
Band Shell
Tennis Courts 5 (lighted)
Historical Buildings 2
Fitness Areas 3
Restrooms
Jaycee Park
n Control: Municipal, but currently leased to Jaycees Organization
Classification: Natural Area
Service Area: County
Size: 25 acres
Activities: Small Lake
Club Building
Wooded Area with trails
Shelter House 2
School Recreation Facilities
Jones Elementary
Control: Public School System
Classification: Play Area
Service Area: Neighborhood
Size: 5 acres
Activities: Apparatus Area 1 acre
Open Play Area .5 acre
Open Space Acres 1
Basketball Goals 6 (not lighted)
Softball Diamonds 1 (not lighted)
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Tzouanakis Elementary
Control: Public School System
Classification: Play Area
Service Area: Neighborhood
Size: 12 acres
Activities: Apparatus Area 1.5 acres
Open Play Area 1.5 acres
Open Space Area 4 acres
Basketball Goals 4 (not lighted)
Softball Fields 2 (not lighted)
Ridpath Elementary
Control: Public School system
Classification: Play Area
Service Area: Neighborhood
Size: 5 acres
Activities: Apparatus Area .5 acre
Open Play Area 1 acre
Open Space Area 1 acre
Basketball Goals 2 (not lighted)
Softball Fields 2 (not lighted)
Greencastle Middle School
Control: Public School System
Classification: General Recreation
Service Area: City
Size:
Activities: Volleyball Courts 2 (indoor)
Basketball Courts 2
Football Fields 1 (not lighted)
Open Space
Craft Room 1
Greencastle High School
Control: Public School System
Classification: General Recreation
Service Area: City
Size: 10 acres
Activities: Baseball Fields 1 (lighted) Open Areas
Football Fields 1 (lighted) Swimming Pool
Softball Fields 1 (lighted) Gymnasium
Tennis Courts 6 400 m. Track 1
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DePauw University
Private-Facilities available to public for membership fee
Control: DePauw University
Classification: General Recreation
Service Area: City
Facilities: 400m Track Indoor Facilities:
Tennis Courts Pool
Field Hockey Field 1 Basketball Courts 2
Baseball Field 1 (lighted) Weight Room
Softball Field 1 Multi-Purpose Room
Exercise Trail
Other Recreation Facilities
Big Walnut Sports Park
Non-Profit
Control: BWSP Board of Directors
Classification: General Recreation
Service Area: City/County
Activities: Soccer Fields 5 Volleyball Courts 2
Baseball Fields 3 (1 lighted) Concession Stand
Softball Fields 3 Football Field
Shelters 3
Facilities Used by :
Girls Fast Pitch Softball League Greencastle Babe Ruth League
Greencastle Youth Soccer League Greencastle Women's Softball League
Girls Slow Pitch Softball League Greencastle Youth Baseball League
Greencastle Youth Football League
Old Hickory Golf Club
Control: Private-Facilities availible at a daily fee
Classification: Golf Course
Service Area: City/County
Activities: 18 holes, Par 72 5,600 yards
Pro Shop
Restaurant/Lounge
Windy Hill Country Club
Control-Private (members only)
Classification: General Recreation
Activities: 9 holes, Par 36, 5,765 yards
Pool
Pro Shop
,�. Clubhouse/Dining
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State Parks
Turkey Run State Park: 2,300 acres; sandstone forges, campsites, inn, cabins, pool,picnic
shelters, playground, fishing, canoe rental, naturalist, nature preserve, horse and bike rentals, tennis,
hiking, restored 1841 house, covered bridge. 40 miles northwest of Greencastle.
McCormick's Creek State Park: 1,800 acres; canyons, ravines, camping, inn, pool, court
games, cabins, playground, nature center, nature preserve, naturalist, hiking, horse and bike rental. 30
miles southeast of Greencastle.
Shades State Park: 3,000 acres; virgin forest, natural springs, primitive deep ravines, campsites,
canoe rental, sandstone cliffs, picnic shelters, playground, fishing, hiking, nature preserve, airstrip. 30
miles northwest of Greencastle.
Lieber State Recreation Area: 8,000 acres; 1,500 acre lake; campsites, beach, picnic shelters,
playground, fishing, foraging, trapping. 20 miles south of Greencastle.
Owen-Putnam State Forest: 6,200 acres; privitive campsites, hiking, bridle trails, hunting,
fishing, foraging, trapping. 30 miles southeast of Greencastle.