Manchester Looks At 5-Year Plan For Parks

NORTH MANCHESTER - The North Manchester Parks and Recreation board Monday approved Earth Plan Assoc. Inc., Fort Wayne, to complete the department's five-year vision plan. Cost for the plan is approximately $7,650.

Parks director Brian Wagner said the last master plan was completed in-house. He wanted to hire someone to complete the plan this time to get a "fresher look."

Three companies submitted proposals for the five-year plan: Lehman and Lehman Inc. and Site Scapes Inc., both of Mishawaka, and Earth Plan.

The plan includes goals and objectives, a history and population analysis, public participation, needs and demands and a priorities and action schedule, among several other items.

"Earth Plan seems to make the most sense from my point of view," Wagner said. "I feel like we're working with someone with our best interests in mind."

"If we have the money in our operating balance, I don't have any qualms about bringing someone in," board president Anne Myers said.

"I agree," vice president Dennis Frieden said. "I think this is something we (need) to get going."

Frieden was hesitant at first because of the cost, but agreed that if Wagner thought it was a good idea and recommended Earth Plan, it would be a good move to hire the company since no money was spent on the last five-year plan, besides in-house costs.

"We would start working in May on this," Wagner said. "We have to have a draft in by January."

In other business:

• Frieden asked board members: "What do we do here at the park if we see beer cans?"

Wagner said a "no alcohol" sign is posted in the park.

"I don't think we've had that issue at Warvel Park or even in the Scout Hall that I know of," Wagner said. But if the problem were to occur, he said, they would ask that the alcohol be removed.

Frieden said he was asking because the Manchester Recreation Association recently had a problem with empty beer cans being left at the complex.

"We wouldn't have even known it if they had cleaned it up," Frieden said. "It's just the fact that they know it. And we don't have trouble with teams from out of town. It's just our locals."

North Manchester Department of Park and Recreation Board members are: president Anne Myers, vice president Dennis Frieden, parks director Brian Wagner, assistant parks director Donna Boomershine, Larry Miller and Kay Batdorf. Brad Yoder is Plan Commission representative.