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HomeMy Public PortalAboutFebruary 1 2018 Regular Session Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners Minutes of the Regular Meeting Thursday, February 1, 2018 Present: President Beva Miller, Tim Trigg, Secretary Cathy Merrell, and Community School Corporation liaison Dr. Wayne Lewis Absent: Vice President Dr. John Hennette, Putnam County Public Library liaison David Taylor and City Council liaison Steve Fields Also Present: Cory Daly — HWC Engineering, Eric Bernsee - Banner Graphic, Shelby Fuhoen - WGRE, Molly Henderson with Relay For Life 5K, Ted Kissel with Jaycee Park Mountain Bike Trails, Mayor Bill Dory, & Parks & Recreation Director Rod Weinschenk Call to Order The regular meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President B.Miller in the City Council room of Greencastle City Hall. Public Input — A special park use request was heard from Molly Henderson who was present to request permission to hold a 5K Road Run fundraiser for the upcoming Relay For Life event on Saturday, March 17th in Robe-Ann Park. She would like to start and 1111 end at Robe-Ann Park, shelter #5. The date has been reserved through the Mayor's office, and the board suggested she request permission to use the city streets at the next city council meeting and meet with Police Chief Tom Sutherlin regarding help crossing 231 at Seminary Street. The board granted here request on a motion from C.Merrell, second by T.Trigg, All Ayes. Approval of Minutes — Director R.Weinschenk presented minutes from the regular meeting held on Monday, December 11, 2017. The minutes were accepted on a motion from B.Miller, second by C.Merrell. All Ayes. Approval of Monthly Claims & Invoices - Director R.Weinschenk presented the monthly claims and invoices to the board. On a motion from C.Merrell, second by T.Trigg,they were approved as presented. All Ayes. 5-Year Master Plan Director R.Weinschenk introduced Cory Daly with HWC Engineering who gave an update in regards to our Master Plan. 1. Draft Plan — Was submitted to the DNR by January 15th. Comments have not yet been received back from the DNR. 2. Final Review Meeting—C.Daly then gave a presentation to the public discussing the contents of the plan and implementation schedule. 3. Park Sketches — C.Daly then unveiled two renderings of Robe-Ann Park and both Calbert Way and Ballard Family Parks. 1 r • •• a. Robe-Ann Park 1) Travel Patterns - C.Daly noted that in our preliminary discussions, it was mentioned that we wanted to look at creating a loop through the park that would condone a Christmas light tour, while at the same time controlling vehicular traffic through the park. He rerouted the roadway directly behind the softball field, which opens up expansion to the aquatics center. The Tennessee entrance to the park is eliminated. All travel through the park would take a counter-clockwise travel route. 2) Wood Street Entrance — would hold two way travel patterns into and exiting the aquatics center parking lot. 3) Parking — A new parking lot was added on the south side of the park with an entrance off of Tennessee Street. Additional parking was created on the north side by relocating shelter#5. 4) Basketball courts — In many of the meetings held, basketball facilities were discussed. Two new courts were constructed both located on the south side of the park. The existing court will then serve solely as a parking lot. 5) Aquatics Center expansion — with the new roadway behind the softball field and elimination of the Tennessee entrance to the park, this new area could include construction of the lazy river and a second water slide. • 6) Additional Shelters — in his rendering, new shelters were proposed off proposed parking lot to be constructed off of Tennessee street and directly west of the skatepark, on the hill across from Charlie's Restaurant, and off of the aquatics center parking lot. 7) Vendor Row - The existing road located between Shelter #1, the central restroom and softball field would become a walkway, which would serve as "vendor row" during large park events like the annual Celebrate"4" Independence Day Festival. 8) Native Prairie Plantings — To alleviate mowing time, C.Daly proposed converting some grass areas to native prairie grass and flower plantings. These would only need to be mowed or burned once a year. 9) Curb, gutter and Lighting— In the rendering and to dress up this central highlight to Greencastle, curb, gutter and decorative lighting fixtures were added along the roadways. 10) Board Comments a) Anderson Street Pedestrian Walk — Although not depicted, the board did state we wanted to include the Anderson Street Pedestrian Walkway into the park on the new rendering. This was the conversion of the 24' street into a 10' walkway. It will eliminate the proposed parking lot directly west of the Emerald Palace. 2 e b) Shelter—An additional shelter could be added directly west of the Emerald Palace, instead. c) Wood Street — it was felt that rerouting Wood Street toward the Quarry would open up possible parking and a sidewalk on the east side of the aquatics center. b. Ballard Family & Calbert Way Parks—C.Daly provided a concept drawing of a new proposed entry way to the east end of Greencastle. Because of their locations to each other, Ballard Family and Calbert Way Parks would become set of sister parks. 1) Calbert Way Park — this park located on the northwest corner of the intersection to Wal-Mart entrance and because of the trailhead for the People Pathways route to and from Fillmore and due to the lift-station located in the park, a set of restrooms and paved roads and parking areas have been proposed. 2) Ballard Family Park — hoping to use donation of the land as a match for a possible Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant project, Ballard Family Park would be used as a rest stop for users of the People Pathways trail, with the construction of a park shelter to be used as a possible trailhead for 5K events, a loop walkway through the park, which highlight the many heritage planting areas on the existing property. 3) Board Comments — comments received from the park board and public included the need for a parking lot maybe located off of the Wal-Mart parking lot entrance. c. Public Comments 1) Jaycee Park — comments received included construction of camping facilities, community building/nature center, modern restrooms, and better fishing access. 2) Big Walnut Sports Park — positive comments were received in regards to the new parking lot and ADA sidewalks under construction serving the girls softball fields and the new one planned for the boy's baseball fields. Renovation of the central concessions/restroom facility to hold a meeting room and an indoor youth sports training facility has been requested. 3) Quarry — Although listed as a future option in the master plan, suggestions received from the public during the meeting included acquiring the property as an addition to Robe-Ann Park and making better fishing access. This could also provide pedestrian short-cut to both the Middle School and High School campuses. 4. Adoption of the Plan—C.Daly explained that the 5-Year Master Plan will need to be voted into adoption with a clause to consider the responsive comments from the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources. We would also like a comment allowing the Board President to sign any and all documents required by the DNR. On a motion from T.Trigg, second by C.Merrell, the board voted to adopt the 5-Year Master Plan • pending comments from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and to allow 3 • the park board president to sign all documents required. The motion passed, "All Ayes". T.Trigg finished the discussion with C.Daly and HWC Engineering with a hearty, "Thank you for your outstanding work!" Annual Board Reorganization 1. Slate of Officers - After some discussion,the slate of officers was set as: a. President—Tim Trigg as board president b. Vice President—Dr. John Hennette as vice president c. Secretary/Treasurer—Cathy Merrell will continue as secretary/treasurer 2. Approval—Nomination ceased and on a motion by T.Trigg, second by C.Merrell,the board approved the 2018 slate of officers. All Ayes. Old Business/Director's Monthly Report 1. Band Shelter Project — Director R.Weinschenk gave an update in regards to the band shelter project. a. State Approval - New construction plans have been submitted to the State of Indiana and we're still awaiting approval. b. Project schedule — We are looking at starting the ground breaking in early spring with a late May, June 1st completion date. c. Drainage—We will address drainage issues, separately from this project. S 2. Brick-Mania: LEGO Birthday Bash! a. Photos — director R.Weinschenk provided a number of photos taken during the event. b. Food Pantry—Conducted as a food-raiser for the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry, the event gathered 268 items and $39.00 in change for those in need. c. Positive Comments — All positive comments were received in regards to the event. 3. Upcoming programs a. Cupid's Valentine Workshop — Set for Monday, February 12th at Greencastle City Hall. b. BBQ Fundraiser — Set for Saturday, February 24 will conclude this year's basketball program and be held at Deer Meadow Elementary School. c. Easter Egg Hunt — Scheduled for Saturday, March 24t at 10:00 a.m. in Robe-Ann Park. Miscellaneous Director R.Weinschenk asked citizen Mr. Ted Kissel for his comments in regards to Jaycee Park. Mr. Kissel reiterated the need for camping facilities, events which promote healthy activities like fishing and trail use. He added, "We should do everything we can do to promote trail use, both walking and bicycling." 411 • Next Meeting The next regular meeting of the Greencastle Board of Park Commissioners will be held on Thursday evening, March 1st, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. in Greencastle City Hall and will include the annual Adjournment On a motion from T.Trigg, second by C.Merrell, the park board meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m. All Ayes. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Roderick M. Weinschenk, Director Greencastle Parks & Recreation Department Minutes approved by: Tim Trigg, esident Dr. John Hennet , ice President 7/1/ Cathy Merrell, Secretary Beva iller • 5 40