Park Board Hosts Public Hearing On 5-Year Master Plan Action Items
October 19, 2016 at 5:13 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Pat Brown, president of Sitescapes Inc., Mishawaka, said the hearing was required by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as part of the five-year master plan process. Tuesday’s hearing was a presentation of the actual five-year plan, he said. It was the result of all the public surveys, public meetings and input from the Parks staff.
He said they have two five-year action plans. The first is the improvement plan – everything they want to do to enhance the parks. The second is the maintenance plan. But on Tuesday, he focused on the first one.
“A lot of this is based on what funding comes through. Some of these are grants, some of these are donations, some is the park budget that we’re going to include in the future park budget. Hopefully, the (city) council will approve some of these projects,” Brown said.
The total cost of improvements from 2017 to 2021 is projected at $1,253,000, Brown said.
Projected cost for improvements in 2017 is $187,000, with the largest cost being $30,000 for paving the parking lot at Nye Cabin. Brown said plans for 2017 may change again before the plan is submitted to the IDNR depending on if some of the Park projects are awarded a grant money from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, which will be announced in December.
In 2018, total estimated costs are $155,000, with $40,000 of that going toward replacing play equipment at Kelly Park.
If plans for an ice rink proceeds at Center Lake Park, that construction could begin in 2018, with a cost to be determined. The project would potentially start in 2018 and finish in 2019, but the city is still studying the matter.
In 2019, total park improvements are estimated at $227,000, with $40,000 going toward replacing play equipment at Beyer Park; and $40,000 to renovate the play area at Rarick Park.
In the fourth year of the plan, 2020, total estimated cost of the improvements is $313,000. The largest cost that year, if approved, would be the construction of a new restroom facility at Bixler Park for $100,000; followed by $45,000 for replacement of playground at Kiddieland.
In 2021, the fifth and final year, Brown said the projected cost of improvements is $371,000, with $100,000 of that going toward new restroom facilities at Hire Park.
For the 10-year preventative maintenance plan, estimated costs for equipment and furnishings, pavement renovations, playgrounds, facilities, vehicles and equipment are: in 2017, $294,700; 2018, $245,700; 2019, $283,800; 2020, $328,700; 2021, $286,750; 2022, $259,600; 2023, $299,500; 2024, $204,900; 2025, $144,900; 2026, $202,700; and 2027, $88,700.
Brown said at the November Park Board meeting, he will present a five-year projected budget, based on if the five-year master plan happens. The DNR needs the draft of the plan by Jan. 15.
He also presented some ideas for Kelly Park. The conceptual plan – nothing is “fixed” yet, he said – will revolve around the city’s stormwater improvements on the south end of town, which may affect the park. A highlight of the plan is a sledding hill.
In other business, the Park Board:
• Heard from Superintendent Larry Plummer that the OCRA grant application was submitted last Friday.
• Heard from Maintenance Director Shaun Gardner that winter preparations for the parks have started.
• Heard from Plummer that the Fall Family Fun event Friday at Lucerne Park was a success with hundreds attending.
He also reported that Christmas activities will be coming up soon.
Pat Brown, president of Sitescapes Inc., Mishawaka, said the hearing was required by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as part of the five-year master plan process. Tuesday’s hearing was a presentation of the actual five-year plan, he said. It was the result of all the public surveys, public meetings and input from the Parks staff.
He said they have two five-year action plans. The first is the improvement plan – everything they want to do to enhance the parks. The second is the maintenance plan. But on Tuesday, he focused on the first one.
“A lot of this is based on what funding comes through. Some of these are grants, some of these are donations, some is the park budget that we’re going to include in the future park budget. Hopefully, the (city) council will approve some of these projects,” Brown said.
The total cost of improvements from 2017 to 2021 is projected at $1,253,000, Brown said.
Projected cost for improvements in 2017 is $187,000, with the largest cost being $30,000 for paving the parking lot at Nye Cabin. Brown said plans for 2017 may change again before the plan is submitted to the IDNR depending on if some of the Park projects are awarded a grant money from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, which will be announced in December.
In 2018, total estimated costs are $155,000, with $40,000 of that going toward replacing play equipment at Kelly Park.
If plans for an ice rink proceeds at Center Lake Park, that construction could begin in 2018, with a cost to be determined. The project would potentially start in 2018 and finish in 2019, but the city is still studying the matter.
In 2019, total park improvements are estimated at $227,000, with $40,000 going toward replacing play equipment at Beyer Park; and $40,000 to renovate the play area at Rarick Park.
In the fourth year of the plan, 2020, total estimated cost of the improvements is $313,000. The largest cost that year, if approved, would be the construction of a new restroom facility at Bixler Park for $100,000; followed by $45,000 for replacement of playground at Kiddieland.
In 2021, the fifth and final year, Brown said the projected cost of improvements is $371,000, with $100,000 of that going toward new restroom facilities at Hire Park.
For the 10-year preventative maintenance plan, estimated costs for equipment and furnishings, pavement renovations, playgrounds, facilities, vehicles and equipment are: in 2017, $294,700; 2018, $245,700; 2019, $283,800; 2020, $328,700; 2021, $286,750; 2022, $259,600; 2023, $299,500; 2024, $204,900; 2025, $144,900; 2026, $202,700; and 2027, $88,700.
Brown said at the November Park Board meeting, he will present a five-year projected budget, based on if the five-year master plan happens. The DNR needs the draft of the plan by Jan. 15.
He also presented some ideas for Kelly Park. The conceptual plan – nothing is “fixed” yet, he said – will revolve around the city’s stormwater improvements on the south end of town, which may affect the park. A highlight of the plan is a sledding hill.
In other business, the Park Board:
• Heard from Superintendent Larry Plummer that the OCRA grant application was submitted last Friday.
• Heard from Maintenance Director Shaun Gardner that winter preparations for the parks have started.
• Heard from Plummer that the Fall Family Fun event Friday at Lucerne Park was a success with hundreds attending.
He also reported that Christmas activities will be coming up soon.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092