HomeMy Public PortalAboutCHAPTER TWO SUPPLY ANALYSIS . •
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CHAPTER Two
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Man-Made, Historical and Cultural Features
Natural Features
History
Parks and Recreation Facilities Inventory
Programming Inventory
Progress Evaluation
Growth Trends
Maps
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MAN-MADE, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES .
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The City of Greencastle has evolved since its establishment in the early 1800's into a
desirable and bustling community. Capitalizing on it's natural features and location,
Greencastle, as the Putnam County seat, has earned the prestigious recognition as One of
the Best 100 Small Towns in America, an All American City, a Tree City, U.S.A. and most .
recently, the Indiana Green City of the Year three years in a row (2008, 2009 and 2010).
The downtown district has also been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Many community facilities are represented in Greencastle, which include: the Putnam •
. County Public Library, located in downtown Greencastle; the Putnam County Airport,
located on the east side; the Putnam County Hospital, located south of town; Putnam
County Operation Life, the•local ambulance service; several community churches;
DePauw University, a prestigious private college housing approximately 2,400 students;
. Ivy Tech Community College; .the Greencastle Community School Corporation
consisting of Deer Meadow Primary (K-2 grades), Ridpath Primary (K-2 grades),
Tzouanakis Intermediate (3-5 grades), Greencastle Middle (6-8 grades) and the
Greencastle High (9-12 grades) Schools; and a few alternative schools such as New
Pathways Preschool(Preschool—K) and Peace Lutheran(Preschool-5 grades).
Governed by a Mayor and City Council, the Greencastle community boasts municipal
facilities that house the services of Administration,Public Works, Police, Fire, Water and
III Waste Treatment, Cemetery, and Parks and Recreation personnel. Public parks within
the City of Greencastle include Robe-Ann Park, Calbert Way Park, Jaycee Park, Maple
Berry Park, Mary Rogers Field Park, Big Walnut Community Park, Big Walnut Sports
Park (privately owned, but publicly accessible through a maintenance agreement),
Westside Park (owned by Putnam County, but maintained by the department as a public
park), Rokicki Community Park which is the home of the new and expanded Ivy Tech
Community College, as well as the People Pathways system. Additional recreational
facilities in the City area outside of those provided at municipal and educational
institutions, include: Windy Hill Country Club and Old Hickory Golf Course both private
9-hole golf courses; the Putnam County 4-H Fairgrounds; the Putnam County Playhouse;
the Putnam County Museum; Putnam Park Road Course, located southeast of
Greencastle; and five State of Indiana recreational parks located within 40-miles of
Greencastle.
Strip commercial and light industrial facilities are predominantly located on the east and
south sides of the City along the major transportation thoroughfares. The City's
downtown square, home of the Putnam County Courthouse, is located in the northwest
central portion of the study area, which provides several retail shops, service businesses,
and community service offices. A variety of housing, which consists largely of single-
family structures dating to the early 20th Century, are located throughout the City in a
traditional grid pattern layout. New residential subdivisions are located on the periphery ,
. of the community.
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io .. NATURAL FEATURES .
Within the corporate limits of the City of Greencastle, we are limited on the amount of
open spaces with park potential. There exist several small and privately-owned lots of
land scattered throughout the city that could be used for smaller neighborhood recreation
' areas.
Greencastle's natural environment is largely comprised of predominantly rolling terrain,
mixed with some sloping land. The Big Walnut Creek Watershed area transcends the
northwest to southwest quadrants of the community. A U.S. Geological Survey reveals "
that the ravines etched along the Creek have, for the most part, curtailed development in
that vicinity yielding-a topography that contains woods and wetlands mixed with some
• level plots of vacant land, which provides an important drainage management role for the
community. Some of those small and flat parcels may provide adequate access and
expansion points for future development and that could serve to responsibly provide
opportunities to actively integrate the Creek into the community's character and park and
recreation system.
The City is also home to two facilities that have great potential and have seen
development through their governing bodies. These include DePauw University's Nature
Park located on the west side of town and Big Walnut Sports Park on the east. DePauw
University was given an old rock quarry, which they have developed into a nice nature
park complete with a visitor's center, in-door and out-door classrooms, restrooms,
411 primitive campsites, miles of walking trails, and most recently the Janet Prindle Institute
for Ethics. Big Walnut Sports Park is privately-owned by a volunteer youth sports board,
but,is accessible as a municipal park through a maintenance agreement with the
Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department. The latter'agreement also provides the
avenue for matching land donations to be used toward federal and state recreation grants;
i.e. Land & Water Conservation Fund and Recreation Trails Grants through the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources.
The department has recently been approached by citizens in regards to developing a park
in a vacant lot located in the northeast section of town. This parcel of land is centrally
located between a low income apartment complex and three retirement villages. In
accordance to information gathered in these discussions, the parcel used to be part of a
golf course and cannot be developed due its location on a limestone shelf located a few
feet under ground. Further housing development of this area has been stopped, since it
would involve blasting to set foundation forms. Blasting would be impossible due to its
proximity to the other existing homes in the area.
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0 HISTORY
Greencastle's public park .system was established on the merits and hard work of
. continuous community input, volunteerism and foresight. Greencastle's eight vibrant.
parks, the recent addition of the Clearwater Property to Robe-Ann Park and the People
Pathway pedestrian and bicycle trail system, in conjunction with numerous other private
and public facilities provide a vital community-wide parks and recreation system for the
Greencastle area.
Robe-Ann Park- The Greencastle Public Parks & Recreation System originated in 1928
when John and Anna Robe donated a parcel of land to the City. The Robes wanted the
land to be used as a playground and recreation area for the citizens and particularly for
the children of Greencastle. In 1934, the City along with its citizens began planning and
development of Robe-Ann Park. Under the City guidance, in 1936 the High School
• Athletic Association assisted the community with building Robe-Ann Park's first major
facility, a softball diamond. To facilitate further development and maintenance efforts at
Robe-Ann Park, in 1937, the Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners was created.
The Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department was next established in 1956 by a City
Council ordinance,to officially identify Robe-Ann Park's role as a significant component
of the Greencastle municipal structure.
Over the next 50-years, the board, department and the Friends of the Park Association of
• Putnam County, Inc. developed facilities at Robe-Ann Park that include the basketball
and tennis courts, picnic shelters, Greencastle Aquatics Center in 1992, Castle
Playground in 1995, modem restrooms in 1996, Emerald Palace Playground and GPRD
Administrative Office and Maintenance Building in 2001, the Putnam County Skatepark
in 2003, and most recently the acquisition and addition of the Clearwaters property to the
park in 2006.
In 2007, IWM Consulting Group, from Indianapolis, conducted a Brownfield Assessment
of the Clearwaters addition to Robe-Ann Park, which was funded by a Brownfield
Petroleum Remediation Grant through the Indiana Finance Authority. It should be noted
that the property was found"clear"in a Final Assessment Report dated January 23,2008.
Jaycee Park — In the mid 1970's, Jaycee Park was created and donated to the City of
Greencastle by the Greencastle Jaycee's organization. In 1981 and due to a tight local
economy, the park was leased back to the Jaycee's organization. Jaycee Park was then
maintained by the Jaycees and offered public accessibility, with the exception of the
community building which was made available on a stringent rental basis. In 2004, the
local Jaycee's group disbanded ending the lease thus turning maintenance of the property
back to the City of Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department. Many aesthetic repairs
have been completed in the park, including the removal of the grounds caretaker and his
' unsightly mobile home, removal of the entryway gate and fence opening up the entrance '
. to the park, removal of the unsafe playground structures,renovating the outdoor primitive
. . . restroom.facility, cleaning of the shelters, and repairing or replacing the picnic tables.
6 . Each day park personnel make a number of tours of the park to clean the shelters and to ' .
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clean up trash, litter and twigs. During the growing season, the park receives a regular
mowing every two weeks. This continued "presence" helps deter "unwanted" use of the
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park.
In 2006,the community building and park was adopted by DePauw University's Hartman
House for the site of Iheir annual"Make A Difference Day"project. Over 110 volunteers
from DePauw University and the community helped paint the inside of the community
building and walk the surrounding forest area for old appliances, trash and debris. Also
in 2006, the roof to one of the shelters was replaced due to damage received after a tree
fell on the shelter during a thunder storm. The repairs *ere financed through an
insurance claim. ,
In 2010, following specifications designed by the City Engineer, a contractor was hired to
complete the replacement of the inlet controlling the level of the Jaycee Park pond. This
included a slip lining to the drain pipe,new trash rack, and additional rip-rap around the
inlet. This was in accordance to directions received by the Indiana Department of
Natural Resources.
Calbert Way Park—In 2002 and named after the drive that it is located on, Calbert Way
Park and the Greencastle-to-Fillmore Trail was donated by the Friends of the Park
Association of Putnam County, Inc.'s People Pathways Committee. Created as a
trailhead start to the first phase of the committee's pedestrian and bicycle plan, the park
offers a picnic shelter, parking lot, and greenspace. Many trees were moved and
Srelocated to the park, due to a water and sewer line improvement project along Veteran's
Memorial Highway. Later that same year and with donations from area businesses, the
Domestic Violence class from DePauw University, Putnam County Family Support
Services, and the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department constructed a 5'x 5'
memorial in the park in dedication to victims of domestic abuse. Since, we have received
donations of benches,picnic tables and additional trees.
Westside Park—Also in 2002, Westside Park (a.k.a. Putnam County Courthouse Annex
or the Jones School Playground) was established through a maintenance lease agreement
between the Putnam County Commissioners and the City of Greencastle Board of Park
Commissioners. Westside Park consists of the old greenspace baseball and soccer ball
fields from the old Jones School playground. The Putnam County Commissioners agreed
to allow the parks&recreation department to maintain the area in exchange for making it
available as a neighborhood park for the citizens on the west side of town.
Maple Berry Park — This property, located along Berry and Maple Streets, was
purchased in 2003 by the Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners in a joint effort with
- other City departments to clean-up same less-than-attractive lots. Goals for the project
, , were five-fold: .
• • • Preserve existing greenspace.by creating.a small municipal park to serve '
neighborhood children
0 . . . . • Provide a potential trailhead for the People Pathways trail system . •
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S . Provide additional parking for the businesses and restaurants located in the
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• Purchase privately-owned land currently used as a public roadway .
• Address safety concerns with the intersection of Maple, Broadway
(Berry), and Sycamore Streets
In 2004, Maple Berry Park saw some major improvements with the completion of the
Maple Berry West Project. Development began with a grant applied for and received
through the City's Engineering.Department for Brownfield testing. Petroleum residual
was discovered in the eastern portion, so the development of the western end was
developed using E.D.I.T. funding. The installation of curb, gutter and sidewalks around
the parcel helped define the park. A concrete pad for a basketball court and drinking
fountain was included in the project.
Many other organizations contributed to the development of the park, as well. Kiwanis
Club purchased a goal for the basketball court, Greencastle Civic League donated a
variety of ten trees to the park, picnic tables were purchased with a Recycled-Content
Purchasing Grant through the Indiana Department of Commerce, and benches were
purchased by the family of Clifford and Dorothy Monnett.
In 2007, IWM Consulting Group, from Indianapolis, conducted a Brownfield Assessment
of the Maple Berry — East site, which was funded by a Brownfield Petroleum
Ill Remediation Grant through the Indiana Finance Authority. It should be noted that in a
Final Assessment Report dated, January 15, 2008, IWM makes the following
recommendations of which were completed in 2009 ...
• two years of quarterly groundwater sampling
• monitoring for(<3 years) of the dissolved hydrocarbon plume to determine
if there is a need for additional assessment
• all of which should qualify for funding through the IFA PRG program
Rokicki Community Park—In 2003, the City of Greencastle was granted permission to
use the Old Industrial Park site for community facilities. With permission of the City
Common Council,the site was dedicated a municipal park in the memory of the late City
Councilman and park advocate,Mike Rokicki. In 2004,Rokicki Park was targeted as the
location for an expanded Ivy Tech Community College Campus, which would bring a
whole host of benefits to the Greater Greencastle Community. Thirty (30) acres were
dedicated for the campus, preliminary State of Indiana funding was granted for the
project, building designs were submitted, and constructions completed. Ivy Tech
Community College opened for operation in the fall of 2009. Although early plans
reserved a portion of the remaining 10-acres of property for a secondary fire station and a
• small neighborhood park, Ivy Tech Community Campus has made an offer which was •
accepted, and the property sold for an expansion of their campus: The funding received
• .. will be earmarked for "the improvement of existing and/or purchase of additional .
4, municipal park lands'', i.e..7aycee Park. - • .
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Walnut Community Park — In. 2004, a maintenance agreement was established
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between the Big Walnut •Sports Park Board, the City of Greencastle Board of•Park
Commissioners and City of Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department for the everyday •
maintenance of Big Walnut Sports Park. In exchange for maintaining all green spaces,
water lines, trash receptacles, maintenance shed, picnic facilities, and the centrally
located restroom facility, the agreement made the privately-owned youth sports facility
accessible to the general public as a municipal park. The agreement has worked out well
for the department with many compliments received in regards to the aesthetics of the
facility. The agreement also provided an avenue for improvements to the park by
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providing matching land donations to be used toward federal and state recreation grants; •
i.e. Land&Water Conservation Fund and Recreation Trails Grants.
Also in 2004, People Pathways saw a big addition with the construction of the People
Pathways Phase V: Big Walnut Sports Park Loop Trail. This 1.2 mile, 10-foot wide
asphalt trail encircles the 78.8-acre sports park and includes a new parking lot on the
southern side making use of the two existing shelters more attractive. This project'was
funded by a Recreational Trails Grant from the State of Indiana Department of Natural
Resources.
In October of 2005, the Greencastle Parks &
Recreation Department received a $129,342 1 ,xg
Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant from ,!rs.-,,-,7
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the Indiana Department of Natural Resources '`'' t F. ,t
for the development of Big Walnut Community s,..,i LA• war 1 t,- =ier '�-; rf
Park. The grant funded construction of
playground equipment, a wildflower&butterfly a '
garden,pathways, and a 9-hole disc golf course. ,
The grant was matched with acquisition of 23.5- 11
£- ,, Y_ ,tom 1:,
acres of land and infrastructure donated by the
BWSP Board to the City of Greencastle. In 2007, the land match was deeded over to the
City of Greencastle, creating Big Walnut Community Park. Late in 2008, the asphalt
pathways and the playground were completed. The parking lots and drives, 9-hole disc
golf course, and the wildflower and butterfly gardens were finished in 2009.
In addition,the Land&Water Conservation Grant stimulated local support and other
contributions,which included$600 from Marathon Pipeline for the purchase of new trees
to replace three removed from a top the gas pipeline, $1,000 from Cinergy PSI for any
aspect of the project, and approximately$450,000 from the Greencastle Economic
Redevelopment Board for the paving of roadways and parking lots within the BWSP.
Through the winter months of 2009-'10, the Greencastle Redevelopment Board allocated
• funding for an additional parking lot which borders the Putnam County Youth Soccer
Association's'soccer fields. In 2010, The Greencastle Redevelopment Commission
• graciously fmanced a two-sided directional "Big Walnut Sports Park" sign, which now
directs visitors off of Highway 240; as well• s funded the planting of 10 —5".maple trees
40 • that have•been. planted in the vicinity of the Little.League Baseball•and soccer fields. '
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These trees should be large enough to provide shade to small groups of users during .
' ID , practices, games and tournaments. . ' .
Mary Rogers Field Park — In 2006, the �g' '}
"Mary's Field" Committee of the Friends of the ,� ,
Park Association of Putnam County, Inc. raised r ' 1,' ? A '�� .
over $20,000 toward the development of Mary " ' , 'f 4 - m µ :.
Rogers Field Park in memory of their dear _
friend and park advocate Mary Rogers Field.
Developing a park from a vacant lot located' E ,t Ar,-. �,..
next to Greencastle City Hall, the improvements q. 1- _0. Z 4, ..
which included a brick walkway and bench,tree - ,
and flower plantings were completed in 2007. _ ., a ..,
The installation of a split rail fence border and new park sign were completed in 2008.
People Pathways '
• Phase I: Greencastle-to-Fillmore Trail connects the City of Greencastle to
the Town of Fillmore with a 3.1-mile crushed aggregate tail that was totally
funded and constructed by community volunteers on an unused railroad right-
of-way and sewer line easement. A Putnam County Community Foundation
Challenge Grant, donations and contributions of in-kind services help develop
the trail that has been actively enjoyed by the community since opening in
May 1999.
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• Phase II: Sports Park Link is a 2-mile asphalt paved trail connecting the
eastside residential neighborhoods with Big Walnut Sports Park and
Greencastle's Industrial Park. Grants from the Lilly Endowment through the `
Putnam County Community Foundation, Cinergy/PSI, Indiana Gas, and Wal-
Mart supported this project. Phase II opened in May,2002. _
, • Phase III, Part 1: Albin Pond Trail — Completed in 2010, the Albin Pond
Trail addresses longstanding safety concerns by providing connections to four
local schools, a nature center, ties to the Phase I and II trails, and creates ties
to a recently completed City-funded sidewalk improvement project. Funding
for Phase III was generated through combined sources, which include a
$72,000 grant from the Putnam County Community Foundation, $125,000
appropriation by the City of Greencastle leveraged against 80% of the
construction costs from an INDOT TEA-21 Transportation Enhancement
Grant for $469,917.00. The TEA-21 Grant was received in 2000. The
engineering design of the trail, appraisals, and land acquisition for right-of-
. way was completed in 2009, bid letting through construction of the project
• was held during 2010.
. • Phase III, Part 2: Safe Routes to'School picks up where the Albin Pond
Trail leaves off_Early in 2006 and due to delays and increased costs, the City
of Greencastle and INPOT scaled back the Albin Pond Trail Project. At
about the same time,the State of Indiana announced the Safe Routes to School
• . • Grant Program. The City of Greencastle.submitted an application for•the
SRTS Program and on November 20, 2006 received a grant for $159,487.00.
Also known as the "Connector Trail Project", the proposed SRTS trail will
construct a shared use path from the south end of Deer Meadow Primary
School to the campuses of the Greencastle High and Middle Schools. This
project was "linked" to the Phase III, Part 1: Albin Pond Trail Project, which
saw bid letting through construction during 2010.
• Phase IV: The Campus Link Trail, involves the future construction of a
dedicated 3.95-mile paved multi-use trail. The Campus Link Trail will
provide significant community access from Greencastle's-central business
1 district to DePauw University's intramural athletic fields, DePauw's Nature
Preserve/Arboretum,the proposed Veteran's Memorial Park, Middle and High
. School campuses of the Greencastle Community School Corporation, Rokicki
Community and the new Ivy Tech State Community College campus, linking
directly to two existing phases of the People Pathways network and the Area
30 Career Center. The Campus Link Trail will also offer an important
connection to the development of the National Road Heritage Trail, a 150-
mile cross-state continuous system of multi-use trails. The Phase IV grant
will be funded in part with an INDOT TEA-21 Transportation Enhancement
Grant in the amount of$905,410.00.
014 • Phase V: Big Walnut Sports Park Loop Trail is a 10-foot wide asphalt trail
paved around the perimeter of Big Walnut Sports Park. The Sports Park Loop
provides a connection with the already completed Phase I: Greencastle-to-
Fillmore Trail and Phase II: Sports Park Link. The cost of the 1.28-mile trail
was $184.067.50. Funds for construction were generated through a partnership
with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Grant
Program, the Greencastle Redevelopment Commission, Big Walnut Sports
Park Board, Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department, and the People
Pathways Planning Committee. The Big Walnut Sports Park Loop Trail was
opened in March, 2005.
. Recreation Programming — In the late 1980's to early 1990's, the focus of the
department changed from just park maintenance to offering various recreation
programming opportunities to the citizens of Greencastle. At that time, a full-time park
superintendent was added to the department, along with seasonal assistance staff, in an
effort to more effectively manage the recreational needs of the community.
Concurrently, in 1992,the park board reorganized under Indiana State Code 36-10-4.
Under the. management of the restructured park board and the new full-time park
• department director,the Greencastle Aquatics Center was built in Robe-Ann Park. Under . .
both of their guidance, new playground equipment was•donated by the newly created
. Friends of the Park Association of Putnam County, and a new restroom facility was
Ai • added next to the softball field in the park. In addition, new shelters were constructed `
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• within the park and a significant increase in community volunteerism and revenue
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• ' sources.assisted with much needed improvements to the park.,
Since then, many recreation programs have been introduced. The most popular summer
program is the highly successful Summer Program of Awareness and Recreation for Kids
- Program or S.P.A.R.K. Program. S.P.A.R.K. has experienced growth both in the number
of children participating and in the number of teenage and adult volunteer leaders who
assist with the program. Increases in participation have been seen in the Learn-To-Swim,
Water Babies, Tot Days, and 5K Run programs, as well. The Greencastle Civic League's
' Parkfest concerts-in-the-park series, which is co-sponsored by the department, has also
attracted more people to the park. In addition, the Celebrate 4 and National Night Out
Committee Programs have also provide great opportunities for enjoying Robe-Ann Park.
Other programs have been established that continue through the present day. The Tennis ,
Instruction for Youth Program draws a wide number of young participants each year. In
1998, the Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department began organizing the Greencastle .
Youth Basketball Program, which utilizes the Greencastle Community Schools and
replaced the Parke County YMCA program. On average, 265 children have participated
in the youth basketball program each year. During the last 8-years, the department has
increased its programming significantly, dropping some and adding some as trends
change.
Friends of the Park- The mission of the Friends of the Park I-' '----±-'' --:'''ga 'F't- A
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Association of Putnam County, Inc. is to provide healthy t , z- �'
• recreational opportunities and to promote the enjoyment ofx `
our community parks for all citizens, as well as promote the i Y •
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health,and physical education of children and families in the x .:
Greencastle and Putnam County communities. �...1,4i`�- ,"- = '
Founded in 1995, Friends of the Park of Putnam County, Inc. was formed by a committed
group of citizens dedicated to providing positive recreational options for all citizens. The
Friends' first project was the Castle Playground located in Robe-Ann Park.
With the success of the initial project it has inspired others in the community to
contribute to the municipal parks system by completing additional projects, such as:
• People Pathways Trail Program - i
• Emerald Palace Playground =.
• The Greencastle Skatepark .-- - -' -
• Eggfest—Evening Egg Hunt for Teens ,
• Celebrate 4 Celebration j
• Mary Rogers Field Park =z.
• Robe-Ann Park.Flag Pole e,.... '
• Shelter#1 &# 5 Renovations _.: . - . .
. • "Light the Park"holiday project .
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gii' t ' Visit the following two websites for. mere information on the Friends of the Park
' Association of Putnam County, Inc.: ,
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—' or
fg c ie ccm/docu ents/Fri en cls%20c 17A2C Park%,20broc_us e.pdf
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People Pathways - People Pathways is a planning and implementation group under the
Friends of the Park Association of Putnam County, Inc. Their goal-is to improve the
quality of life in Greencastle and Putnam County by developing connections within and
between our communities.
People Pathways has successfully developed a multi-use recreational trail plan after
soliciting opinions from community members through a series of presentations and open
meetings. The pathways will connect public spaces such as schools, parks, libraries, and
community resources. Primary users of the pathways are pedestrians, joggers, runners
and bicyclists. This includes children traveling to and from school, people seeking
F exercise and recreation, and commuters. •
People Pathways has established a set of goals for the community. They are:
• Build bridges rather than walls between neighborhoods to help create a sense
of belonging and community.
• Enhance the small town appeal of our community.
• Foster the mental and physical health of the citizens of our community.
• Create accessibility to our community's green spaces by developing linear
• exercise trails using existing and future infrastructure.
Implementation of the People Pathways plan will be completed in phases as the
opportunities develop. Visit the People Pathways website for more information:
http://mywebpage.netscape.com./peoplepathways%20/
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PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES.INVENTORY ,
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The City of Greencastle and its surrounding area includes a mix of both. public and
• private recreational facilities, ranging from, public parks and school athletic fields to
privately owned golf courses and church recreation facilities. For the purposes of
determining the provision of total community-wide recreational services, this plan is
based on the recognition that not only the City of Greencastle, but also other private and
semi-private entities currently contribute to the provision of parks and recreation
facilities. It is further recognized that non-public facilities will continue to be provided in
the future in the same proportion as they are now. Therefore, the Community-Wide Park
& Recreation System Inventory is thoroughly documented in the following chapter,
providing an accurate depiction of the recreational services available to the entire
Greencastle community. .
The City of Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department consists of eight municipal
parks,which include:
• Robe-Ann Park
• Jaycee Park
• Calbert Way Park
• Westside Park
• Rokicki Community Park
• Maple Berry Park
• • Big Walnut Community Park
• Mary Rogers Field Park
The park and recreation department's greenspace inventory also includes the People
Pathways trail system, a public system of pedestrian and bicycle pathways planned to
connect major community facilities with neighborhoods and schools. The People
Pathways trail system is managed in cooperation with a volunteer committee,by the same
name, of Friends.of the Park. The People Pathways trail corridors include:
• Phase I: Greencastle-to-Fillmore Trail
• Phase II: Sports Park Link(Robe-Ann Park to BWSP)
• Phase V: Big Walnut Sports Park Loop Trail
• LWCF: Big Walnut Community Park Trails
• Fawnview Lane-to-Judson Drive
• Brentfield Drive and Brentfield Lane Connection
• Fawnview Lane-to-Glenview Lane Connection(asphalt sidewalk)
• Under the maintenance care of the parks and recreation department are a number of •
additional green areas, which include: .
• Franklin&Spring Street parking lot(acquired with city hall)
. . • Columbia Street parking lot 4
•• • Northwood Boulevard islands (3) •
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. Highfau &Highwood triangular island . .
ill • Highwooa& Shadowlawn triangular island . .
• Sherwood Drive cal-de-sac island
• Maple,Main&Apple Street triangular island
• Maple & Ohio Street property (a.k.a. Maple Berry Park- east or old street
garage property) .
• Lot at corner of Arlington and Walnut Streets (old standpipe)
Robe-Ann Park - Robe-Ann Park is the Robe-Ann
main park in the City of Greencastle. It
consists of 28-acres and is located on the Total City Park Land(Acres) 28
south side of Greencastle on Bloomington
Street or State Road 231. The park contains Baseball/Softball Fields 1
several amenities including a lighted softball Outdoor Basketball Courts 2
diamond, tennis courts, outdoor basketball Picnic Shelter Area 4
courts, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, Playgrounds 4
playgrounds, skatepark, and the aquatics Football Fields 0
center. The park also offers an amphitheatre Soccer Fields 0
area that serves as the site for the summer Swimming Pool (Outdoor) 1
concert series, annual Easter Egg Hunts, and Swimming Pool (Indoor) 0
the annual July 4t' celebration. In addition, Gymnasium 0
the parks and recreation administration Tennis Courts 5
1111 offices and maintenance building, as well as Volleyball 0
the Daughters of the American Revolution Horseshoe Pits 2
(D.A.R.) Log Cabin museum are located in co unity Building 0
the park. i Skate Park 1 °
Amphitheater 1
= Multi-use Trails(Miles) 0
\,Y.-,-\\\ Nature/Historic Sites 1
\�`j!�` � ' Fishing Facility/Access 0
j L_L
—r, '. _ Wooded/Green Space in Acres 2
11® __ - Pond/River/Wetland in Acres 0
.,.-,„ - .,.‘: .. -__ ,„,,,_ :„
...., s_ - - -,. 5 : Restroom Facility 1
4
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Jaycee•
Park—Jaycee Park, located on the Jaycee Park 1
• southeast side of the city.on Airport Road,
was developed for the City of Greencastle Total City Park Land(Acres) 22
by the Greencastle Jaycee organization. •
Centered round a small pond, Jaycee Park Baseball/Softball Fields 0
offers many outdoor recreational features Outdoor Basketball Courts 0
like bank accessible fishing, wooded Picnic Shelter Area 2
pedestrian and nature trails, primitive pit Playgrounds 0
toilet facilities,picnic shelters,tables and a Football Fields 0
•
community building. The shelters and soccer Fields b
community building are available fora swimming Pool(outdoor) 0
rental fee. Swimming Pool(Indoor) 0
Gymnasium 0
0.•;"4 ` � = Tennis Courts 0c y:,* ' volleyball"a
•
` ` Horseshoe Pits 0
" Community Building 1
.11 . Skate Park 0
a f } - 0
� Amphitheater
' - •— Multi-use Trails(Miles) 0' .- Nature/Historic Sites
0
Fishing Facility/Access 1
Wooded/Green Space in Acres1 12 Pond/River/Wetland in Acres S
,, ' .,,,:, :,.:, ..: 'r_ '.: -",,,,:.,,1:.4,lil'-,,.:_t___:-,..,, r 1 Restroom 1
Maintenance BuildingFacility 0
.-L% 7 , .
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Calbert Way Park — Calbert Way Park is •Calbert Way •
ilocated at the intersections of Highway.240 Park
- and Calbert Way Drive. The park serves as
the trailliead for the Greencastle-to-Fillmore . Total City Park Land(Acres) 2.0
Trail. The park offers a picnic shelter, park Baseball/Softball Fields 0
• benches, open space and amply parking r for Outdoor Basketball Courts 0 '
those who want to enjoy the trail. Picnic Shelter Area 1
Playgrounds 0
Football Fields 0 .
Soccer Fields 0
Swimming Pool (Outdoor) 0
Swimming Pool (Indoor) 0
x >.
w Gymnasium 0
- - '� Tennis Courts 0
Volleyball 0 •
Horseshoe Pits 0
Community Building 0
Skate Park _ 0
Amphitheater 0
Multi-use Trails (Miles) 3.1
Nature/Historic Sites 0
Fishing Facility/Access 0
�.
Wooded/Green Space in Acres 2.0.
'77I , 1 Pond/River/Wetland in Acres I 0
= rs.
r g1�'"lilI T°0 Restroom Facility 0
f74461110M-1-r" ` ._ Maintenance Building 0
E
People Pathways sign and picnic shelter at Calbert R'ay Park.
Westside Park — Also known as the old Jones School ,
Playground, Westside Park is a 1-acre park located north of I "_:
the Putnam County Courthouse Annex at the corner of Jacob =� . r
and Madison Streets. This west side neighborhood park ,, -4%*
offers plentiful green play area, baseball backstop, soccer � ..▪ ...1-
..„,-,
goals and exercise stations. , .R,:;7 . ---▪ _•
Sports fields at Westside Park. I
Rokicki Community Park—Rokicki Community Park is a municipal park dedicated to
the late City Councilman and park advocate, Mike Rokicki. This community park is 40- '
. acres in size and is located at the intersection of Veteran's Memorial Highway (State
•
•. Road 240) and Zinc Mill Road. Rokicki Park is the home of the new Ivy Tech State •
. 40Community College. , •
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thiii
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• • Rolacki
Westside Community
• Park 1 • Park
•
Total City Park Land (Acres) 1.0 Total City Park Land (Acres) 0.0
- Baseball/Softball Fields 1 ' Baseball/Softball Fields 0
Outdoor Basketball Courts 1 Outdoor Basketball Courts 0
Picnic Shelter Area 0 Picnic Shelter Area 0
Playgrounds 1 Playgrounds 0 .
•
Football Fields 0 Football Fields 0
Soccer Fields 1 Soccer Fields 0
Swimming Fool (Outdoor) 0 Swimming Fool (Outdoor) 0
Swimming Pool (Indoor) '0 Swimming Pool (Indoor) 0
Gymnasium 0 Gymnasium 0
• • Tennis Courts 0 Tennis Courts 0
Volleyball 0 Volleyball 0
Horseshoe Fits 0 Horseshoe Pits 0
Community Building 0 Community Building 0
Skate Park 0 Skate Park 0
Amphitheater 0 Amphitheater 0
Multi-use Trails (Miles) 0 Multi-use Trails (Miles) .25
Nature/Historic Sites 0 Nature/Historic Sites 0
r Fishing Facility/Access 0 Fishing Facility/Access 0 .
Wooded/Green Space in Acres 0 Wooded/Green Space in Acres 2.0
Fond/River/Wetland in Acres 0 Pond/River/Wetland in Acres 0
Restroom Facility 0 Restroom Facility 0
Maintenance Building 0 Maintenance Building 0
Maple Berry Park—Maple Berry Park is 1-acre in size and is located at the intersection
of Maple, Berry and Sycamore Streets on the south side of Greencastle. Maple Berry
Park was designed as a neighborhood park and offers a basketball court, park benches,
picnic tables, and an open grassy play area. Development of the east end of the park
should be seen within the next few years, as funding has been included in the city's
E.D.I.T. Plan.
Mary Rogers Field Park— Mary Rogers Field Park is a small .5-acre park set up in the
neighborhood park style. Located next to Greencastle City Hall at the corner of Locust
and Washington Streets, this park offers a passive .park experience with a nice brick
walkway,picnic area, benches, community flower gardens, and plenty of green space. .
•
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•'Maple Berry Mary Rogers
Field Park
Park
Total City Park Land (Acres) 1.0 Total City Park Land (Acres) 5
Baseball/Softball Fields 0 Baseball/Softball Fields 0
Outdoor Basketball Courts 1 Outdoor Basketball Courts 0
Picnic Area 1 Picnic Area 1
Playgrounds 0 Playgrounds 0
Football Fields 0 Football Fields 0
Soccer Fields 0 Soccer Fields 0
Swimming Pool (Outdoor) 0 Swimming Pool (Outdoor) 0
Swimming Pool (Indoor) 0 4 Swimming Pool (Indoor) 0
Gymnasium•
0 Gymnasium 0
Tennis Courts 0 Tennis Courts 0
Volleyball 0 Volleyball 0
Horseshoe Pits 0 Horseshoe Pits 0
Community Building 0 Community Building 0
Skate Park 0 Skate Park 0
Amphitheater 0 Amphitheater 0
Multi-use Trails (Miles) 0 Multi use Trails (Miles) 0
Nature/Historic Sites 0 Nature/Historic Sites 0
Fishing Facility/Access 0 Fishing Facility/Access 0
Wooded/Green Space in Acres 1.0 Wooded/Green Space in Acres .5
Pond/River/Wetland in Acres 0 Pond/River/Wetland in Acres 0
Restroom facility 0 Restroom Facility 1
Maintenance Building 0 Maintenance Building 0
aet Y
14
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Basketball Court at Maple Berry Park looking east. Mary Rogers Field Park prior to development
•
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•
• Big Walnut Sports Park — Big Walnut Sports Park is a 78.8-acre privately owned <
ifacility that has been made public through
a maintenance agreement with the Big Walnut
Greencastle Parks and Recreation Sports Park
Department. Located east of Greencastle,
this park offers a lit NCAA soccer field, Total City Park Land(Acres) 78.8
unlit soccer fields in various sizes, NCAA Baseball/Softball Fields 8
baseball field, youth baseball fields, youth Outdoor Basketball Courts 0
softball fields, ASA adult softball field, Picnic Shelter Area 3
concession stands, picnic shelters, Playgrounds 0
restrooms, park maintenance buildings, Football Fields 1
pedestrian and bicycle pathways -inside Soccer Fields 9
and encircling the entire park, open grass
areas, and a large wooded area. In 2007, a Swimming Pool (Outdoor) 0
land match of 23.5 acres was deeded over Swimming Pool (Indoor) 0
to the City'of Greencastle as a match for a Gymnasium 0
IDNR Land & Water Conservation Grant, Tennis Courts 0
creating Big Walnut Community Park. Volleyball 0
Horseshoe Pits 0
r Community Building 0
,s`� Skate Park 0
Amphitheater 0
voice , , r. Multi-use Trails (Miles) 2.0
0 re,:;', , ,,41,i *:,#,4 f,-fij.71�Y r ti. t_ Nature/Historic Sites 0
" Fishing Facility/Access 0
Wooded/Green Space in Acres 10.0
Pond/River/Wetland in Acres 0
Restroom Facility 2
Maintenance Building 2
View of a park shelter with tables,drinking fountain, —"
adjacent parking lot,and access to the BWSP Loop
Trail and the 9-hole Disc Golf Course.
s'
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•
•
Water stop drinking fountain located on the eastern leg Young players practicing on one of the many soccer
of the Big Walnut Sports Park Loop Trail,overlooking fields .located on the northern portion of the park.
the soccer fields.
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People Pathways—The People Pathways system of pedestrian
and bicycle paths and trails is a city-owned system that was �"
first established by a community organization of interested
persons and volunteers in 1996. The system is a three-tiered
planned network of signed paths, trails, trailhead at Calbert
Way Park, and pedestrian and bicycle corridors that upon
completion will connect neighborhoods with schools,parks and
other community resources. Phase I of the Pathway plan, a `"`�:. ?
crushed stone trail from Greencastle's east side to the Town of
Fillmore, Phase II, an'asphalt route that connects a commercial -
area to Big Walnut Sports Park, and Phase V, an asphalt trail
• that encircles Big Walnut Sports Park have all been completed.
In 2010, Phase III: Parts 1 & 2, the Albin Pond and Safe Routes to School Trail,
accommodate walkers, joggers, runners, and bicyclists and provide alternate routes to
four of Greencastle's five community schools, neighborhoods, and the Indianapolis Road
business district. Funding has been received for the Phase IV: Campus Link Trail Which
will connect the campuses of DePauw University, Greencastle Middle and High Schools,
Wal-Mart, and the Area 30 and Ivy Tech Community Colleges. This three-tiered system
includes three types of pathways as listed below.
• Signed Paths—Signed paths are used to connect areas both inside and outside
of Greencastle. These signed paths are intended to provide a connection to
Robe-Ann Park, all of the public schools, Putnam County Library, and
• DePauw University, as well as a route to Jaycee Park and Big Walnut Sports
Park. Signed paths, in combination with the City's sidewalks and shorter path
segments, can provide easy access to these facilities from most
neighborhoods. The signs are intended to inform cyclists of useful mutes and
remind motorists that cyclists are present.
The signed paths are to be identified through several means depending on the
consistency of the travel conditions with American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Official's (AASHTO) Guide for the
Development of Bicycle Facilities, the American Planning Association's
Bicycle Facility Planning (Report#459), and the United States Department of
Transportation's Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. In locations
where vehicle travel lanes exceed 12-feet in width, "Bike Route" signs are to
be used. In locations where travel lanes are between 11 and 12 feet and speed
limits are 35-mph or less, "Share the Road" signs will be used to remind
motorists that bicycles may be present, but official bike paths will not be
designated. For the portions of the proposed system and those which included
vehicle lanes less than 11-feet,road widening should be included as part of the
• municipal street improvement project or new subdivisions. "Bike Route"
signs are to replace.the "Share the Road" markers as these segments of the
system are upgraded to meet safety standards. •
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• Trails-- The trail portion of the People Pathways network links tesidential•
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. 20" .
. . . . . . .- . . • . .
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•neighborhoods with Big.Walnut Sports Park, and the City of Greencastle with. •
411 nearby Fillniore. Eventually this trail system will provide a recreational route _
around the perimeter of the City. The trails are generally 8 to 10 feet in width, •
with an additional 2 feet of graded shoulder on each side. Lockable and
removable barrier posts are to be placed at five-foot intervals at locations
where the trail crosses streets and railroads. Trail construction meets .
AASHTO standards.
• Pedestrian Corridors When new roads are constructed, when major •
improvements to existing rights-of-way are anticipated, or when other
opportunities are presented along the identified pedestrian corridors,routes are
to be designed and implemented through one of the following methods: on-
street bi-directional bike paths, a separately constructed trail, or an 8'-10'
wide sidewalk.
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GREENCASTLE•COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION SITE INVENTORY .
Five public schools comprise the Greencastle Community School Corporation, Inc. Each
of the three elementary schools within the City of Greencastle has an adequately large-
sized open area and playgrounds. The facilities are open to the public at restricted and
designated times, but do not act as host sites for programming activities. Each building
facility has a gymnasium and classrooms. Because of school sports programming and
other extracurricular activities, gym space is at a premium.
The Middle and High School McAnally gym facilities are mainly used for school
•
functions and are not readily available for community use. The high school swimming
pool has on occasion been open for various community aquatic programs. Community
residents have also, at times,-been able to use the school facilities for special events
during the school year and during the summer.
Deer
Meadow Tzouanakis Ridpath Middle High Totals
Total City Park Land (Acres) 15 12 5 5 10 37
Baseball/Softball Fields 2 2 2 6
Outdoor Basketball Courts 2 2 1 2 7
Picnic Shelter Area 1 1
Playgrounds 2 1 1 4
Football Fields 1 1 2
• Soccer Fields 2 1 1 1 4
Swimming Pool (Outdoor) 0
Swimming Fool (Indoor) 1 1
Gymnasium 1 1 1 1 2 6
Tennis Courts 6 6
Volleyball 0
Horseshoe Pits 0
Community Building 1 1 1 1 1 5
Skate Park 0
Amphitheater 1 1
Multi-use Trails (Miles) .5 .5 .5
Nature/Historic Sites 1 1 1 1 0
Fishing Facility/Access 0
Wooded/Green Space in Acres 3 4 1 8
Pond/River/Wetland in Acres 0
Restroom Facility . NA NA NA ° NA NA . NA
Maintenance Building ° • 1 1 0 • '
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0 .. OTHER RECREATION AREA AND FACILITIES INVENTORY
DePauw University - DePauw University
is located along the southwest edge of the
municipality and has extensive sports A I.
facilities. An indoor facility contains a
metric/yard capability swimming pool, a " , _ 6'
multi-use gym, practice courts, dance : ► ';
room, dual weight rooms, classrooms and t p,- '`` ,_
offices. Use of these facilities by the Far
, 1:1
.public requires an annual membership fee, s
and has been restricted to faculty and - ---k-: 1"-'-•" '4 —""
students only, with no new public memberships being issued. Outdoor facilities consist -
of both sport and practice fields, as well as a campus square. During the summer,.week-
long youth sports camps are available at a fee. A university astronomy observatory offers
free programs open to the public at various times throughout the year. The newest
facility is the Indoor Track and Tennis Center, in which various public instruction
programs have been offered.
Windy Hill Golf & Country Club - Located just north of the City t: � _
along State Highway 231, sits the privately owned and operated 1104..
Windy Hill Golf and Country Club. Operating since 1953, the Club " `.,
i
410 offers an outdoor pool, a Par 36 9-hole golf course, pro shop, and
clubhouse with dining facilities on site. The course features 2,805
yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36, with a slope rating ' 316 e .ay e
of 114. '
Old Hickory Golf Course — Locate north of Greencastle on State
Highway 231, Old Hickory Golf Course features 18-holes, 5,805 yards
of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. Opened in 1992, the 'l//(( J/ ti//j�/ (/ y
course rating is 68.2 and it has a slope rating of 120. ! ,
Putnam County Fairgrounds - (No information at this time)
Indiana State Recreation &Park Sites
• Turkey Run State Park — Consisting of 2,300 acres, Turkey Run provides
sandstone forges, both modem and primitive campsites, inn, cabins, swimming
pool, picnic shelters, playground, fishing, canoe rental, naturalist, nature preserve,
horse and bike rentals, tennis courts, hiking, a restored 1841 house, and covered
bridge. The park is located 40-miles northwest of Greencastle.
. • McCormick's Creek State.park — Consisting of 1,800 acres, McCormick's
Creek Provides canyons, ravines, both primitive and modem camping, cabins,
. inn, pool, basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds, nature center', nature
• 40 .. preserve, naturalist, hiking, horse and bike rentals. The state park is located 30=
miles southeast of Greencastle. .
• 23 • •
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• Shades State Park —• Consisting of 3,000 acres, Shades State Park has virgin • •
• forest, natural springs, sandstone 'cliffs, primitive deep ravines, modern and
primitive campsites, canoe rentals, picnic shelters, playgrounds, fishing, hiking,
nature preserve, and an airstrip. Shades State.Park is located 30-miles northwest
of Greencastle.
• Lieber State Recreation Area — Lieber State Recreation Area consists of 8,000
acres of forested land, a 1,500 acre lake with beach, primitive and modern
campsites, picnic shelters, playground, fishing, foraging, trapping, and swimming
pool. Lieber State Recreation Area is located 20-miles south of Greencastle.
• Owen-Putnam State Forest — This }6,200-acre state forest preserve, offers
primitive campsites, hiking, bridle trails, hunting, fishing, foraging, trapping and
playgrounds. Owen-Putnam State Forest is located 30-miles southeast of
Greencastle.
PROGRAMMING INVENTORY
Programming for the City of Greencastle has been provided by several different entities.
Many of the youth programs are organized by private volunteer groups. These programs
include the youth soccer program, boy's baseball program, and girl's slow-pitch and fast-
pitch softball leagues. Adult coed softball programs are offered under the church softball
• league. The following volunteer leagues exist in Greencastle:
• Putnam County Youth Soccer Association•
• Greencastle Girl's Slow-Pitch Softball Program
• Putnam County Girl's Fast-Pitch Softball Program
• Greencastle Boy's Youth Baseball Program
• Babe Ruth Baseball Program
• Putnam County Church Softball League
The Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department offers various seasonal programs.
These programs are organized by both the Parks & Recreation Director and Assistant
Director of the department. A current list of programs offered, include:
• Adult Programs
o Adult Tennis League
o Greencastle Tennis Tournament
o Scrabble/Game Nights
o Scrapbooking 101
o Stampin' Up Night •
• o Santa Woodcarving Contest •
. •
o Greencastle Running Club
• •o Greencastle Walk&Talk Program •
o Greencastle Walking Club• ` • • • •
o• Parkfest•- Concerts in the Park •
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0. • - o Women's Slow-Pitch Softball League •.
o • Men's Slow-Pitch Softball League .
o • Coed Slow-Pitch Softball League .
o Softball Concession Stands
o Independence Day Co-ed Softball Tournament
o Mike Rokicki Memorial Castle Classic July 4th 5K Run/Walk
• Youth Programs
o Turf Cutter Safety Workshop
' o Wal-Mart's Celebrate Kids Fishing Day
o SPARK—Summer Program of Awareness and Recreation for Kids
• o Bright Futures Tot Days
o Firecracker Fun Run(July 4th)
o Red, White and Blue Pinewood Derby (July 4th)
o Tennis Instruction for Youth
• • o Phone Calls from Santa .
o Greencastle Youth Basketball Program
o Youth Basketball Night at McAnally Center
o Tree Dedication Program—Arbor Day
o Annual Easter Egg Hunt
o Eggfest in the Park after Dark
o Wild Wonders at Jaycee Park
o Baton Twirling Lessons
• o Cub Scout Activities
o Science of Snow,2008!!!
• Aquatics Programs •
o Learn-To-Swim Lessons
o Governor Mitch Daniel's "Shape Indiana" Swim Day
o Dive-In Movie—"Pirates of the Caribbean"
o Raft Night
o Floating Under the Stars
o Back-to-School Splash Bash!
o Soggy Doggy Day
• Arts-n-Craft Programs:
o Mommy&Me (4—8-week sessions)
o "Winter Wonderland" Craft Time
o "Be My Valentine!"
o `Bring on the Sun!"
o "Welcome In Spring"Craft Time
• o "April Showers Bring May Flowers!"
• • o - "Sprouting Up!" -
• o "Lil' Goblin Halloween Hour!" • • •
. o . "Toddler Turkey Time!" •
- . . •• o "Christmas Crafts for Kids!" . . •
WR o A Mommy&Me Christmas!
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o Na Fuss "Holiday" Gifts
a Holidays.Around the World
o Pinewood Derby Workshops -
o Brick-Mania Holiday Challenge: Santa Claus .
o Brick-Mania Brick Building Workshop(s)
o Brick-Mania Display Contest
o Snow Sculpture Contest
• o Gingerbread House Contest •
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SPARK field trip to Dominos Pizza, Scrapbookinc 101 Class at City Hall. 80+attend Brick-Mania w/IndyLUG.
PROGRESS EVALUATION
Within the last five years major changes have happened within the Greencastle Parks &
Recreation Department. This progress could not have been accomplished without the
Ili support of the city's administration and a strong volunteer base within the community. A
major concern over the last five years has been the department's ability to maintain its
facilities. With the addition of an administration and maintenance building, increased
park maintenance staff, a new maintenance vehicle, and the acquisition of both Jaycee
Park community building and the maintenance/storage shed at Big Walnut Sports Park,
the department is more able to efficiently and effectively provide upkeep for all its parks,
green spaces and facilities. These improvements have also led the department to assume
responsibilities for maintaining additional green spaces owned by the city, such as the
landscaping of city hall and various boulevards and cal-de-sacs.
Park Acquisition — In the past 10 years, one of the biggest accomplishments is the
growth in the number of municipal parks available to the citizens of Greencastle. At that
time, the City of Greencastle owned only the centrally located Robe Ann Park Calbert
Way Park was donated by People Pathways along with a portion of the Greencastle-to-
Fillmore trail and Westside Park came into existence through a maintenance lease
agreement between the Putnam County Commissioners and the City of Greencastle
Board of Park Commissioners, in 2002.
• Citizens did have access to the privately-run Big Walnut Sports Park and Jaycee Park.
• Big Walnut Sports Park is privately-owned by a volunteer youth sports board of directors
and was available to people if they participated in one of the given sports leagues within
the park. Jaycee Park, leased to.the'Greencastle Jaycees from the City of Greencastle,. •
All was a semiprivate park with a community building available fora stringent rental fee.
. 26
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Striving to meet the goal of establishing more neighborhood parks within Greencastle, .
the Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners purchased the Maple Berry Park lots'on .
the south side of town, in 2003. The next year, development of the west end of Maple
• Berry Park cleaned-up this less-than-attractive area of town. The year 2004 saw the
acquisition of Jaycee Park as the local Jaycee's group disbanded ending the City's lease
agreement. Maintenance of the property was quickly assumed by the City of Greencastle
Parks and Recreation Department. Rokicki Community Park was acquired in 2003 and
was quickly targeted for the location for an expanded Ivy Tech Community College
Campus.
•
The year 2004 also saw the opening of Big Walnut Sports Park as a municipal park
through the establishment of a maintenance agreement between the BWSP Board and the
City of Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners and City of Greencastle Parks &
Recreation Department. This agreement made the privately-owned youth sports facility
accessible to the general public in exchange for maintaining all green spaces, water lines,
trash receptacles, maintenance shed, picnic facilities, and the centrally located restroom
facility.
In 2006, the "Mary's Field" Committee of the Friends of the Park Association of Putnam
County, Inc. approached the City administration seeking permission to create a passive
neighborhood park in the lot next to city hall in memory of their dear friend and park
advocate Mary Rogers Field,thus Mary Rogers Field Park was created.
Park Improvements—Not only was the goal of increasing the number of park within the
City of Greencastle closer to being met, but the facilities received some significant
improvements. Robe-Ann Park recreation facilities grew with the construction of the
Putnam County Skatepark in 2003, drawing users from all over the nation. An addition
of a new filter system in 2005, the replacement of the roof in 2006, and façade painting
gave the Greencastle Aquatics Center a small face lift. In the fall of 2006, Robe-Ann
Park expanded its borders with the acquisition of the Clearwaters' property in August of
2006. Razing of the existing buildings and outbuildings happened throughout 2007. The
site was then planted to grass; with a variety of trees added in 2009 through an
ALCOA/DNR Tree Partnership Grant.
The west end of Maple Berry Park was developed in 2004, with the construction of curb,
gutter and sidewalks, drinking fountain, basketball court, a basketball goal purchased by
the Greencastle Kiwanis Club, ten trees purchased by the Greencastle Civic League,
picnic tables and benches purchased with a State of Indiana Department of Commerce
Recycled-Content Purchasing Grant. Along with the Clearwaters' property, in 2007,
Maple Berry—East were both tested and cleaned by IWM Consulting through a State of
Indiana Finance Authority Brownfield Assessment and Petroleum Remediation Grant.
While the Clearwaters' property was cleared, Maple Berry Park will receive monitoring
over approximately three years. •
•
• Also in 2004, People Pathways saw big'additions with the construction of the People
Pathways Phase V: Big Walnut Sports Park Loop Trail, a 1.2 mile, 10-foot wide asphalt
410 • trail a parking lot at Big Walnut Sports Park funded by a State of Indiana Department of • •
•
• • 27
f -
Natural Resource
s Recreational Trails Grant.• Big Walnut Sports Park also receivedc Fund '
'�. State of Indiana Department of Natural Resources Land & Water
equipment,Cvrvldflower &
Grant in October of 2005, for the addition of playground
butterfly gardens, pedestrian and bicycle pathways, a wetland
donated b conservation
BWSP to the City of
hole disc golf course to be matched with 23.5-acres This project began in 2007
Greencastle for the creation of Big Walnut Community Park
and was completed in 2009.
•
turn to the city, Jaycee Park has received many improvements. Removal of
the caretaker's
itse re
mobile home, opening of the front entryway by the removal of the gate
and fence, removal of unsafe playground equipment, the renovation of the outdoor
were
the
p
rimitive restroom, cleaning and repair of the shelters and tables
bles through uptof
the list of aesthetic repairs. Park personnel also m e two weeks, and provide a
day to pick up trash, litter and twigs, mow and trim every
continued "presence" „and to deter "unwanted" use of the park. In 2006, the park
community building was the site of a"Make A Difference Day" project organized by the
Hartman House from DePauw University. One hundred,
plus, volunteers from both the
community and university picked up old appliances, trash and debris from the
surrounding wooded areas and painted the inside of the community building. The roof of
one of the shelters was replaced in 2006, due to damage from a tree during a thunder
storm. In 2010, the spillway will receive a renovation, with replacement of the inlet and
relining of the culvert.
In 2007, development of Mary Rogers Field Park saw improvements including the
• installation of a brick walkway and bench,tree and flower plantings paid through Friends
park entryway sign and the .
over $20,000. A new
of the Park's fundraiser, totaling installation of a split rail fence border were installed in the spring of 2008.
People Pathways, along with the City of Greencastle, although not seeing actual physical
improvements, were the recipients of two significant TEA-21 Transportation Enhancement of Transportation. The first was an 80/20%
in December of 2003 in the amount of$905,416.00, for the construction)of the
People Pathways Phase IV: Campus Link Trail System which walll-link the
Tra
nsportation,
ses of
on,
DePauw University, Greencastle Middle and High Schools,
Wart Distribution and Super Center, and Area 30 and Ivy Tech Community Colleges. The
second was a Safe Routes to School Grant, which wiNddlefinance and construct S pool ampushe sortfall,
legh in the
Phase III: Deer Meadow to Greencastle High and
amount of$159,487.00.
Since 1995, physical additions to the People Pathways Plan occurrede nd with the
construction of pedestrian sidewalks and pathway segments at the corn
anapolis
• and Round Barn Roads with the construction of 4 new businesses: 2 sAmcr07, the Pha First
Financial,National State Savings Banks, and O'Reilly Auto Parts.
4 Greencastle-to-Filknore Trail of the People Pathways saw improvements with the laying
and construction of the Vectren Gas Pipeline Project east of Grtle, as bicyclee otrail ".
•P engineers designed and'groomed a, rest area alongside thepedestrian
- -with excess dirt. A new "Greencastle Fillmore Trail" directional entryway sign was •
40 • . installed at Calbert Way Park. . .
The Parks & Recreation Director and the Board of Park Commissioners•have worked
diligently to partner with individuals and organizations in the community to help meet the
parks and recreation needs of all its citizens. The director is now a member of several
citizen committees and civic organizations, with a goal of establish working relationships
between these organizations and the department. Some of these organizations include the
Friends of the Park Assoc., Greencastle Cub and Boy Scouts, Putnam County Girls
Scouts, and Rotary Club. The park board members have also become more involved,
working closely with the volunteers and serving ,as board liaisons to various park
improvement and sports committees.
4
Recreation Programming — Progress has also been made in the area of recreation
programming. Since its start in 1998, the Greencastle Youth Basketball Program has •
been organised by the parks and recreation department and averaged 265 participants
each year. This program is completed in cooperation with a volunteer organizational
committee and the Greencastle Community School Corporation for use of gym space.
Program numbers have increased with the addition of a full-time assistant director, whose
primary objective is to offer "quality", not necessarily "quantity", recreational programs
and activities. The largest addition to the array of parks & recreation programs is the
absorption of the women's, coed and men's slow-pitch softball programs into the
department. Following reorganization issues and banking discrepancies, the Greencastle
0 Women's and Coed Softball Leagues folded and offered to the parks and recreation
department. With the director's organizational background in youth and adult sports
programs, the programs were eagerly adopted into the department. Once an
organizational reference was established, the Putnam County Men's Softball League was
also offered to and accepted by the department. Adult softball is now one of the most
highly attended programs from late May to early November.
With the addition of a new and innovative programming, some programs fell off to the
wayside due to lack of organizational interest. These include the FOTP People Pathway
Committee's Back Road Bicycle Tour and Pathway Pounding 5K Run/Walk, and the Tot
Days Program. The Saturday morning Farmer's Market at Robe-Ann Park was
discontinued due to the start of the "Market on the Square" Program created by the Main
Street Committee to spark interest and patronizing of the downtown businesses located
around the courthouse square. Although these programs may have been discontinued,
they haven't been forgotten and have been reserved for future reorganization
opportunities. In 2010, the FOTP People Pathway Committee's Back Road Bicycle Tour
made a come back debut and was held on the Saturday following Labor Day weekend,
and has been scheduled for the same weekend in 2011!
' Fiscal Budget Issues -•Over the last five years, the department's fiscal health has been • •
good, but challenging. Yearly increases in the annual budget were seen prior to the State
•
of Indiana's Tax Reassessment Issue. Since then budgets have been tight, with many , •
• • restrictions applied to spending.• Between'the tax reassessment issues and the economic
•
•
f
crisis of 2008 & 2009, it is our belief that the financial situation will continue to get
ID • worse before it improves. Even with these restrictions,'we have been able to slowly buy
needed equipment, complete everyday maintenance, and make the needed improvements
to park property. .
In 2003, a second full-time maintenance steward was budgeted and the position later split
to accornmodate additional summer part-time help. Outside of the annual fiscal budget,
the department has been fortunate enough to receive monies raised by volunteers for
unbudgeted park improvement projects and programming. In 2006, the department was
• able to acquire assistance in completing a 2007 needs assessment in conjunction with a
needs analysis by the Community and Recreation Center Task Force and DePauw
University. The needs analysis was completed as a student's senior project examining
the need for a community center and its recreational possibilities for Greencastle and
Putnam County. The parks and recreation department assisted in developing the survey
instrument, so the results could be used to fulfill the background study for its 2008-2012
City of Greencastle Parks and Recreation Departmental'Master Plan.
The last five years have brought a lot of positive changes to the City of Greencastle and
its Parks and Recreation Department municipal park system. The department is now
more able to offer greater positive leisure options and more park facilities to the Greater
Greencastle community.
GROWTH TRENDS
0 With the positive changes experienced by the Greencastle Parks and Recreation
Department over the past five years, it is poised to grow and provide even more
opportunities for recreation in the future. With a strong volunteer base and a supportive
administration, the community's expectations for the department are high. These
expectations will keep the department moving in the right direction, a positive direction
during the upcoming years.
The community has continued to look to the department to provide them with positive
and quality recreational opportunities. The department will be able to enhance its
offerings, with a full-time assistant director who will focus on offering additional quality
recreational programming and activities to the citizens of Greencastle and its surrounding
areas.
As the population of Greencastle continues to grow, the appropriation and creation of
neighborhood parks will also be part of the department's future.. The importance of
providing green spaces for the Greencastle community is apparent in this community's
comprehensive plan, which states that one of the most significant parks and recreation
priorities include providing additional open space and recreational opportunities for
neighborhood residents. .
• In accordance with national trends, the community will continue. to add to the People
• Pathways trail system. Funding for the Phase III Trail Corridor, Part 1:•Albin Pond Trail
• . a
30
• f ' e
•
' - People Pafhvrays Trails � ,
and Part 2: Safe Routes to School, Trail are. '&National Road Heritage Trail
• already in place with construction set to begin in
2010. Grant funding has been secured and
community partnerships secured for the People i I s ,. , ,
Pathways Phase IV: The Campus Link Trial
Proj ect which will begin once the construction i_l _ _ _
of Phase III is underway. Another project that ;c - :
was received via citizen input during one of the . __ - C,-
I
park board meetings was a pathway trail linking ;- - i ;t_
Tiouanakis Elementary School with DePauw Y = t
University campus via a route around the west
side of Greencastle. This trail could link Phase III: Albin Pond Trail to Phase IV: The
Campus Link Trail with a potential trailhead at the intersections of North Jackson Street
and Shadowlawn Avenue and/or at Westside Park, a.k.a. Putnam County Courthouse
.Annex. This Phase VI project, unofficially called the "Monon Link", would close the
connection and offer citizens of Greencastle a way to walk, run, skate or bike on a trail
completely encompassing their community.
The proposed National Road Heritage Trail Project will have a large affect on the future
of People Pathways, Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department and the city as a
whole. The National Road Heritage Trail (NRHT): Indiana's First Cross-State Multi-use
Trail Project initiative was launched in June 2004 to support Indiana's first cross-state
multi-use trail project, envisioned to stretch 150 miles from Terre Haute to Richmond,
• Indiana using the former Pennsylvania and Vandalia rail corridors, where possible, and
closely following the Historic National Road for much of its route. NRHT, Inc. is a not-
for-profit volunteer group consisting of bicycle, trail and National Road enthusiasts
across the state whose objective is to promote development of the trail. Greencastle's
3.8-mile Campus Link Trail along with the Greencastle-to-Fillmore trail would be a part
of the trail route that would serve the NRHT across Greencastle. The two trails combined
will provide a continuous 6-mile portion of the NRHT in Putnam County, and provide a
connection from the existing People Pathways trails on the east side of the city to the
DePauw University campus and Nature Park on the west.
In addition,the Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant Project, Big Walnut Community
Park, has been completed. The city will continue to work with Big Walnut Sports Park
on a transition plan whereby the city will continue the maintenance operations of the
sports facility and a municipal park for the future acquisition of land used for grant
matches. This acquisition plan, which is fully supported by the city's administrative
body and the sports park board, will allow members of the community some assurance
that the facility will continue to grow, operate efficiently, and continue the availability of
a place to "play ball". .
• ' • The largest project that will affect the recreational health of the citizens of the Greater
Greencastle community is a future Community and Recreation Center. In surveys
' completed for the•last three to four department.master'plans have .liste(1�'a CeIl�f ' a '
•• major priority. Not only did the survey instrument for thus master plan Provide eX�
• . �elll
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• information toward this venture, but the same result scored as a high priority in an
ID assessment completed by the Hometown Greencastle'Affiance. In their document, "A
Marketing & Development Model for Greencastle, Indiana" the lack of fitness'facilities, .
or real health club or YMCA-type. facility was listed under "Shortcomings and
Challenges". Many comments were received from citizens completing the surveys in
regards to the "... need for YMCA/community center." During the public meeting
sessions, participants made dozens of suggestions for improvements, which were then
prioritized. Following the improvement and unification of downtown Greencastle, a
YMCA or community fitness center ranked the highest in the "top five vote getters"
listing of the survey results. This same feeling was echoed in a survey completed by
Colin Batko from DePauw University as well as a study completed in 2009 as part of this
Parks &Recreation Department Master Plan process.
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