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Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board heard updates Thursday on projects around the county, along with assigning contacts to proposed projects.
Board President Troy Turley spoke on updates to the Chinworth Bridge Trailhead. He has been working with HWC Engineering “to help envision the future of that park once some of the improvements that we’ve slated become a reality.”
On Aug. 4, they will be meeting with HWC representatives in-person at the Kiwanis pavilion, and virtually on Aug. 14 to discuss feedback.
Turley noted they had created a committee to gain insight from outside of the board. Community members that are on the committee are Steve Foegley, Jim Tinkey and Ken Locke. Board members on the committee are Turley and Aggie Sweeney.
Allie Daugherty, with HWC Engineering's development team, stated the “concept was to create a document that (the board) can use to fundraise or do other activities … along with design and improvement costs … and identify some of the permits that would be needed to improve the canoe launch area.”
Two community members, Tom Groninger and Larry Shively, had been working on a boat ramp by the Little Building and had caught some of the “extra dirt that made it slope gradually for the new ramp.” He wanted to know what the board's recommendation for this boat ramp would be, as most of the boats being put in at that location were kayaks or smaller.
The board stated they would get with the state about permits first and also invited the men to the Aug. 4 meeting with the consulting team.
Along with the Chinworth Trailhead, Turley noted there were other projects that are really important and “could actually be in progress or a concept,” but to keep them “plugged in” to those projects. The big ones that Turley identified are The Gap, or North Webster-Syracuse trail; the Chinworth trail to Atwood trail; the loop around Winona Lake; and the Pierceton to Winona Lake trail. Board Vice President Matt Metzger also recommended the blueway system, which he would tackle.
Amy Roe, Kosciusko County community coordinator, told the committee about how Tracy Ford, executive director with the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails; and Dan Thystrup with the North Webster Town Council, are looking for the support and advice that the board can give. She also recommended having Ford and Thystrup as a standing agenda item so when they can show up, they can give updates.
It was also recommended to have communication with Etna Green Council President Heath Roberts to talk about the Chinworth Bridge to Atwood project and have it “connect to the edge of the county.”
The board assigned Board member Robert Bishop to “The Gap,” Turley to Pierceton-Winona Lake, Board member Mike Cusick to the Loop, Sweeney to Chinworth-Atwood and Metzger to the blueway.
In other business:
• The board reviewed and approved the proposed 2027 budget, with the splitting of the line items for mileage/fuel/travel with conferences. The split would be $500 for mileage, and $1,500 for conferences that they may need to attend.
• Bishop asked about the bid he had seen for renovation on the Chinworth Bridge. Turley noted it was because the bridge is now in the county’s hands that they are looking to revitalize it.
• Sweeney met with two members of the newly re-formed Pierceton Park and Recreation Committee who had come to her for advice. Sweeney noted she was impressed with the park in Pierceton, and that they were aware of the proposed Winona Lake to Pierceton Trail. She stated they would be delighted to connect and is also connecting them to the Ride+Walk for the countywide meetings.
• Metzger noted he had been in contact with someone who lives on Tippecanoe Lake who wanted to connect with the board about the proposed trails. Sweeney noted Ryan Drake would come to another meeting.
• Friends of the Trail are having another workday on Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Chinworth Trail.
• Last meeting, the board approved the purchase of two American flags and a solar light for the Chinworth Bridge trail. Turley noted Steve and Suzie Light had donated a solar light kit for the pole.
• The Syracuse-Wawasee Trail fundraiser will be Aug. 6.
The next meeting of the Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board will be at 1 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Old Courtroom.
