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Chris Stine remembers playing softball at the old diamonds at Center Lake where poor drainage, weeds and other imperfections provided a sense of character and a crumbling old brick school could be seen beyond the outfield.
These days, the athletic fields have been replaced by a pristine Central Park that features weekly concerts in the summertime and Zimmer Biomet’s world headquarters serves as a stunning backdrop.
It is that potential for change and the power of imagination that Stine, an architect with Design Collaborative, of Fort Wayne, asked people to consider Tuesday at a meeting organized in hopes of gaining input on changes being explored for adjacent park property mainly south of Central Park and along Center Lake.
Stine and fellow architect Ron Dick encouraged the crowd of about 60 people assembled at Center Lake Pavilion to dream big.
“To picture what is there today – no way. It never crossed our minds,” Stine said.
The city has hired the architects to help develop what could be the biggest changes to the Central Park campus in more than 25 years at a time when another major development just to the west – the Buffalo Street project – is prompting a need for some changes.
For nearly two hours, organizers and guests talked about a slew of ideas involving different properties and how they could be used to improve what the park has to offer.
The two biggest pressing issues are the need to find a new home for the park office, which will have to be relocated to make room for part of the Buffalo Street project, and a belief that Center Lake Pavilion needs to be upgraded. Remodeling the pavilion to include park offices was one of many ideas mulled at the meeting.
Organizers at the beginning of the meeting put aside any talk that the pavilion would be torn down. Given the building’s popularity and sentimental history makes it nearly sacred ground for many residents, officials said.
But they also suggested the second floor of the building is under-utilized and that the main floor needs more restrooms, a bigger kitchen and additional windows.
Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer said afterward that while nothing has been decided, it appears the pavilion needs to be improved.
“We’ve renovated the building a couple times,” Plummer said. “I think it’s time, not only from an aesthetic point but from a maintenance point to do some upgrades. Why wouldn’t you take a facility that the public uses all the time and just give it a good look and a great view?”
One idea that’s been voiced in recent years is the desire to construct a ice skating rink. But finding space for it somewhere in the area appears to be a challenge, according to some who spoke at the meeting.
The consultants, who had already collected input during the Northern Indiana Lakes Festival earlier this summer, are expected to return later this year and unveil proposals that could be phased in over many years.
After a recap of ideas, participants were divided into three groups and then developed a lists of ideas. Some of the ideas discussed:
• Kayak and canoe rentals were among the most popular ideas. That could be run out of the pavilion.
• Reconstruction of the Center Lake pier. The existing pier has a solid foundation and is cause for stagnant water and growth of algae.
• Purchase of the gas station at the corner of Canal and North Detroit streets. The business is closed and the owner has suggested it could be acquired by the city. One possible use of the land is development of a greenhouse that could be used for two nearby gardens.
• Improved access to the park off Canal and more signage at park entrances. Purchase of the gas station would make it possible to develop a turn lane leading into the park.
• Expanding the community bike program with a station closer to the park.
• A pedestrian walkway along the waterfront.
