The New Castle Parks Board has a full agenda laid out for the coming year.
At its most recent meeting, the board re-elected Patty Broyles president and Dave Nantz vice-president. Broyles then shared a recap of the timeline and action plan included in the recently completed five-year master plan for city parks, which she said has been sent to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for review.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Broyles said.
That work for 2016 includes creation of a Parks Foundation; creation of a skate park; repair or replacement of the Memorial Wall in Baker Park; security upgrades at Baker and Osborne Park; removal and/or replacement of outdoor grills when applicable; parking improvements at Baker and Osborne Parks, especially around sports facilities in the parks and removal of old playground equipment where applicable.
Some of those tasks are done or underway. There is now a “pass through” and an “endowed” account set up at the Henry County Community Foundation for monetary donations to the parks system, investigation into what is involved with fixing or replacing the Memorial Wall is underway and removal of damaged or broken grills and equipment has begun. The board agreed other items on the action list will be addressed when the weather is more favorable and as long as funds are available.
“The only things we have left are the skatepark, restrooms and security. The other things we’re already working on, so that’s really good,” Broyles said.
It was reported that sale of wire baskets from the old community swimming pool at Baker Park is off to a good start. The baskets are priced at $25 each or two for $40. They come with a small card that contains a brief recap of their history and a photo of the old pool house. They are available for purchase at Nantz Photography, 206 S. 14th St., during normal business hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information, call 765-521-8888. Proceeds from their sale will benefit future park projects and improvements.
There was discussion but no action about possibly selling two or three small tracts of land owned by the parks department that currently aren’t part of the parks system.
The board decided that posting rules for the parks should be delayed until the board has additional time to review existing rules and propose changes or additions.
The idea of naming or renaming some of the smaller neighborhood parks has been discussed in the past. The board decided that probably isn’t a good idea, but that naming shelter houses in honor of persons who have served the parks well over the years is a possibility in the future.
Prior to the adjournment of the board’s most recent meeting, Mayor Greg York offered his thanks to the board.
“This is a real pleasure,” the mayor said. “You guys have got more done in six months than we did in four years and it’s exciting. It’s for the future, and I appreciate what you guys have done. ... Everybody’s heart and mind is in the right place, for the kids, for our community, and I’m excited about 2016.”
The board will next meet at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 1 in New Castle City Council Chambers on the second floor of city hall, 227 N. Main St.
