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There were numerous striking images released this week by the city of Warsaw that are part of a plan that would – if embraced – create the most sweeping changes in Central Park in more than 25 years.
Ten proposals make up what is a long-term comprehensive list of ideas that would transform the Center Lake beachfront and other parts of Central Park.
The entire cost, if fully implemented, could be more than $6 million. There is no timeline to implement the changes and no guarantee that all of the projects will come to fruition.
But the ideas are tantalizing.
Possibly the most exciting changes involve construction of an open air building that would be home to an ice rink intended for community skating.
Grand Entrance
But two other proposals would greatly change first impressions of North Detroit Street motorists passing by the Canal Street entrance of the park.
One plan calls for construction of a formal entrance at Canal and Detroit streets that would be topped off with an arch across the entrance that reads “Central Park.”
The other involves the gas station property at northwest corner. The business is closed and city officials are looking to acquire it and construct a greenhouse, education center and parking.
By acquiring the land, the city would then seek to install a dedicated turn lane into the park.
The idea of an improved entrance that identifies the park by name is an effort to overcome a lack of signage that spells it out.
“It’s very easy to come down Detroit Street, especially from the north, and miss the entrance all together,” said Chris Stine, a representative of Design Collaborative, the Fort Wayne firm that researched and shaped the comprehensive plan through public input.
The plan, according to Mayor Joe Thallemer, could “change the face of the park.”
At the same time, Thallemer cautioned that the future of the proposed greenhouse and education center could depend on an environmental study on the gas station property.
More Programming
Plans for an open air building to be constructed next to the pavilion address years of requests for an ice rink.
The idea of an ice rink was part of a Kosciusko Leadership Academy paper years ago and Thallemer said he intends to engage groups who had an interest in the rink to see if there is private money available to help fund the project, which is estimated to cost $2.8 million.
Officials also envision the open air building as a source for more year-round programming.
“There’s all kinds of potential,” said Sheila Wieringa, the recreation director for the parks department, about uses for the open air building.
“I have ideas, but a lot of it has to do with public input and what the public would like see, so I think some information will have to be collected and let the public be my guide on what we put in there,” she said.
She and Plummer agree the two buildings could be used in unison or separately and that there’s an upside to the added flexibility.
Plummer pointed out that a wedding could be held in the open air building – with a view of the lake in the background – and a reception could be held in the pavilion.
“It gives us more versatility to our rental facilties,” Plummer said.
Plummer also pointed out that renovations to the pavilion will include more windows, including along the north side of the building that would open up more views of the lake.
Renovations of the pavilion would also include room to store kayaks and canoes, which would be available for rental.
Requests for such rentals have been echoed repeatedly over the years, Wieringa said.
Center Lake Pavilion renovations, would also include more restrooms and new offices for the deparmtent in a renovated second floor. The interior and exterior would also be freshened up, according to the tentative plans.
Other Changes
Several proposed changes would alter the beachfront.
There is a plan for a boardwalk that would stretch from the future Buffalo Street plaza – a different project that gets underway next year – and runs along the lake to a point near Arthur and Detroit streets.
Officials also want to replace and move the existing pier to align with the open air building.
The existing pier is solid and inhibits the movement of water, causing stagnation and sometimes, an E.coli problem that has led to beach closings.
Another nugget within the ten proposals is the plan for a collection of outdoor art in Central Park.
About $70,000 was identified to establish an art collection, but the art itself would likely be privately funded, Plummer said.
“That’s like a hidden gem in the whole concept,” Plummer said.
Twenty-five years ago, the new Central Park was viewed as an opportunity for more green space and some concerts, Plummer said.
But clearly, with a 10-point proposal, city officials see plenty of potential.
“As the community grows ... they need that recreation and more opportunities,” Plummer said. “We want to keep up with the times and provide that recreation.”
