By JONATHAN SNYDER
During their first meeting of 2024 on Thursday, the Bluffton Park Board celebrated the successes the department had in its 2023 end-of-year report, as it is on target to complete the objectives they set for their five-year master plan put together in 2022.
“We are really cooking,” said Parks Department Superintendent Brandy Fiechter, a sentiment echoed by the board members — Susan Campbell, Christine Zadylak and John Gerber. Rick McEvoy was absent.
The objectives in that plan include developing Lancaster Park while extending the Interurban Trail to Lancaster, renovating the Wells Community Swimming Pool House, adding parking to Roush park, resurfacing the basketball courts at Roush and Lion’s park, and conducting a stabilization study for Rivergreenway and repairing the trail.
Fiechter stated that Lancaster Park’s renovations are expected to be completed in August of this year, while the Interurban Trail’s estimated completion date is October of 2024.
The department did make a rough discovery with the Roush project, however, as it has an issue with one of its parking lots. Recently, the department was advised that the asphalt for the parking lot was beyond fixing, according to Fiechter. Fiechter added that the department would need to set aside an estimated $250,000 to fully complete the repairs. No decisions have been made at this time.
The Pool House is expected to be fully sided in the spring, but Fiechter is still seeking quotes for the flooring and doors of the house. While the Lion’s Park basketball court has been resurfaced, Roush’s renovations are still ongoing.
In addition, the Rivergreenway study has been completed, and an $11,235 grant from the Community Enhancement Endowment fund will provide some of the funding necessary for bank erosion repairs.
Additionally, the board reported that there were over 2,400 hours of volunteer hours for the department, while over 26,500 different participants took part in last year’s programs.
The board also discussed two donations, an unrestricted $2,500 donation from Steve and Yvette Huggins, and a $500 donation to Rock Steady Boxing from Arlene Stoller. The board also mentioned that the Land and Water Conversion Fund will be reimbursing over $260,000 for the Lancaster Park project.
Furthermore, the board submitted a $100,000 grant request to Lake and River Enhancement for the riverbank erosion project, while a $1,000 grant was given to the department from the Wells County Convention and Visitors Commission to advertise the Chilly Chili trail run. An official decision on the LARE grant is expected in the later months of this year.
jonathan@news-banner.com
