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Home My Public Portal AboutRECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING 50 �1 Recreational Programming The Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department currently provides limited recreation programming, limited only by available staff, instructors and facilities. The Parks &Recreation Director, as the only full-time employee is responsible for all programming. The Department is open to ideas and is willing to try new programs. The success of programming is dependent on the staff, cooperation with other agencies, and the residents of the community. It was through the public input, information gathering and work sessions that suggestions were made for potential new programming. The survey results indicated a need for more programming for school age children. Recreational opportunities currently provided by the Greencastle Park and Recreation Department include: Costume Contest Ice Skating Tennis Lessons S.P.A.R.K 5 K Run Tot Days Phone calls from Santa Trail of Fear Pumpkin carving contest Red Cross Learn to swim Birthday Parties Pool Rentals programs ARC Lifeguarding ARC-CPR classes ARC-First Aid classes co-sponsored events Safety Day Fourth of July events Farmers Market Parkfest `97 Easter Egg Hunt Celebration of the Season Backroad Bike Tour Arbor Day Spring Clean '97 The following is a listing of proposed recreation program ideas that came from public requests, survey comments and residents. Youth Tumbling 3 on 3 basketball Tennis Tournament 1 mile Run Turkey Shoot Art classes Family, Teen, and Senior Programing Aerobic/Fitness classes Christmas Festival in the Park r kato 51 ^ Maintenance Practices In many instances, Greencastle's Parks & Recreation Department image is developed on how well parks and facilities are maintained. Parks are known to be the front door to many cities, and first impression to visitors and guests is critical. The Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department is fortunate to have beautiful parks and a dedicated staff and Board. Current Park Maintenance Procedures: • Centralized • Maintenance reviews conducted daily • Trash pick-up • Grass mowing - at Robe -Ann Park - Northwood Boulevard - Fallwood island - Sherwood Dr. island • Work orders given by Director • Weekly inspections on play equipment Current Maintenance Facility • Small shed behind Park Director's house at Robe Ann Park Current Maintenance Staff • (2) Seasonal Maintenance men(March-November) Current Maintenance Equipment • 1900 Kubota Tractor • 1995 John Deer 425 Tractor 10 u u 52 INDIANA OUTDOOR RECREATION 1989 The State of Indiana has adopted Indiana Outdoor Recreation1989 -An Assessment and Polic Plan as its five year recreational master plan for meeting recreational needs throughout the state. Their priorities are based on objectives by providing for a broad range of recreational opportunities and experiences that will reinforce and support positive social and cultural values. These opportunities should be available to enrich the lives of all Indiana's residents and visitors. It is important to recognize and identify Greencastle priorities and opportunities and their relationship with the State's priorities. Any support that Greencastle can provide in assisting the State meet their priorities and goals will improve the overall recreation opportunities statewide and enhance its position in competition with federal and state funds, such as Land and Water Conservation Fund, Indiana Waters and Hometown Indiana. A majority of the state priorities reflect goals and objectives that closely parallel to those of the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department. The priorities for the State of Indiana identified in Indiana Outdoor Recreation 1989, prepared by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Outdoor Recreation, are as follows: Environmental Quality • Maintain and improve Indiana's air, land and water quality. Natural and Cultural Resources • Identify, conserve and protect the state's natural and cultural resources. • Protect wetlands through enforcement of existing federal and state regulatory programs, enactment of state wetland legislation, development of an accurate and comprehensive database, expansion of private/public partnership programs, and increased public education. • Identify, preserve, and protect the state's natural heritage, especially significant natural areas, plants and animals, and natural and scenic rivers. • Conduct research to expand information on the state's natural and cultural resources. • Conduct special studies to evaluate the state's natural and cultural resources and to develop strategies to conserve and protect them. Funding and Financing • Provide consistent and adequate funding for outdoor recreation and resource conservation at the federal, state, local government levels for acquisition, developemnt, operation, maintenance and staffing. • Provide assistance through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Indiana Waters, and Hometown Indiana grant programs to meet local recreation needs as described in local park and recreation master plans. • Expand recreation opportunities by more effective and efficient use of existing resources wherever possible. • Promote implementation of the recommendations of the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. i i 1 More Land for Recreation and Natural Resource Conservation 53 • Provide more lands for public recreation and/or natural resource conservation. • Provide more regional (over 200 acres) resource-based recreation areas, especially in central Indiana. • Provide more opportunities conveniently located for class-to-home, day-to-day recreation. • Encourage the acquisition, q , management, and development of non-traditional outdoor recreation lands, such as schools, sidewalks, surplus public lands, military lands, highways, streets, • Establish greenway corridors of private aand pb li nds, ands anfights-of--way. Indiana's communities and countryside. d waters throughout • Acquire wetlands with Land and Water Conservation Funds, according to the criteria established in the wetlands policy of the 1989 Indiana Outdoor Recreation - An Assessment and Policy Plan. • Acquire natural resource areas of national, state, regional, or local importance. Local Public Park and Recreation Issues • Expand and strengthen park and recreation boards, especially at the county level. • Provide recreation and resource conservation technical assistance to local units of government. 011ik Managing Public Recreation Lands • Develop, operate and/or maintain recreation lands, facilities, and activities that are compatible with a site's natural resources and that minimize adverse environmental impacts and user conflicts. Conservation Education and Outdoor Ethics • Provide and expand oppotunities throughprogramming h develop, among the general population, greater arness understandingd facilities , and appreciation of Indiana's natural and cultural resources, the environment, and their proper use and management. Access to Water • Increase and enhance access to the state's lakes (that flow throughout the year) for recreation and aesthetic enjoyment,particularly Lake Michigan, the Ohio River, Wabash River, Kankakee River, Maumee River, St. Joseph River, Little Calumet River, White River, urban waters, lakes greater than 50 acres without existing public access, and lakes and reservoirs at least 500 acres in size. • Clarify and redefine the legal issues, regualtions, and jurisdictions impacting Indiana's waters. I I 54 Trail Opportunities • Provide a diversity of trail opportunities. • Provide walking and biking tails for close-to-home, day-to-day use. • Provide a statewise system of coordinated regional and local trails. • Maintain, improve, and expand trail opportunities on recreation lands. Economic Development, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources • Improve and expand the development of tourism in Indiana. • Strengthen cooperation and coordination within and between federal, state and local governments and the private sector. • Maintain and improve public road access and highway signage to recreation areas. Responding to the Future • Improve and expand cooperation, coordination and planning within and betweeen federal, state and local governments and the private sector to provide recreation opportunities and to conserve natural resources. • Include recreation as an integral part of community and economic development. • Involve the public throughout the receation and resource conservation decision making process at all levels of government. • Ensure that everyone, including persons with disabilities, older persons, minorities, and those with low income, has access to a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities.