By HOLLY GASKILL
Although not officially open, Bluffton parks Superintendent Brandy Fiechter has already seen members of the community utilizing the available features of Lancaster Park.
Much of the remaining work on the park itself are items to be installed by city workers, but Fiechter said they’ll be waiting until warmer weather to finish up those projects. Pickleball courts and a new parking lot will also come in the new year.
“We’ll let them do the sledding and use the facilities, the playgrounds — can’t quite keep them out anyways if I tried,” Fiechter laughed. “They’re there playing.”
In other updates, Fiechter celebrated a $11,240 grant from the Wells County Community Foundation, which will be used as matching funds for projects to prevent further erosion of the Rivergreenway. The department did not receive a grant to purchase pool chairs, but Fiechter said she plans to budget the chairs into purchase for next year.
The board then agreed to change rental deposits to $100; Fiechter advised this would simplify making change for deposits. They also accepted a $500 donation from Andy and Cindy Shively for Rocksteady Boxing.
Additionally, the board recognized recent honors received by both Fiechter’s staff and board member John Gerber from the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association. The department received the Innovative Event Award for their “Superhero 5K,” and Gerber was recognized as Outstanding Citizen of the Year for his 27 years of service on the Bluffton park board.
In 2024, park board meetings will begin meeting on the second Thursday of the month, instead of the first. Board meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers on the second floor of the City Hall.
holly@news-banner.com
