Two meetings next week will give area residents a first look into what could eventually become the Bartholomew County Park Board’s five-year master plan.
In the four months since Ed Curtin was chosen to develop the five-year plan, the former city planner said he has been completing groundwork on the master plan.
The main purpose of creating a new master plan is to qualify the county parks board to compete for a variety of funding opportunities, said Purdue Extension educator Kris Medic, who has been serving as a park board consultant.
Board member Dave Apple said last June the county plans to focus most of its time and efforts on developing three parks — Dunn, Heflen and Anderson Falls, the latter a remotely located recreation area that has been marred by vandalism.
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But the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said the five-year plan must include analysis of social and economic factors regarding populations served, as well as the examination of topics ranging from accessibility to amenities, for all 12 county parks.
A former park administrator in Columbus, Curtin said he’s been busy the past four months gathering that type of data on each park, as well as interviewing various stakeholders.
But he has now reached the point where it’s time to get the public’s ideas and concerns in order to start establishing goals and objectives, Curtin said.
“Receiving public input is vital to having a successful master plan,” Curtin said.
If one person’s development idea receives sufficient support, the plan can suggest ways to make it a reality, as well as provide financial details such as equipment and staffing cost estimates, Curtin said.
While each county park already has designated amenities, it’s also important for the five-year plan to identify what is no longer being utilized, Curtin said. Underutilized park facilities can be converted into something useful, he said.
This is the second time that Curtin has been involved in the development of a county parks master plan for Bartholomew County. He was largely responsible for the most recent plan, commissioned for the years 2001-2005, parks officials said.
The park board has set a goal to complete the first draft completed by December and submitted to the DNR no later than Jan. 15. Once submitted, additional revisions may be made for another three months, according to state guidelines.
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Although a master plan is being developed for all 12 county parks, the Bartholomew County Park Board plans to focus most of its time and effort on developing three facilities.
- Anderson Falls, County Road 1140E, off State Road 46, Hartsville: This 44-acre natural outdoor recreation area features a 100-feet-wide, 13-foot-high falls that drop from a limestone bed into a pool within Fall Fork of Clifty Creek. Features 200 types of plants, including rare specimens and an array of wildflowers.
- Dunn Park, 876 Spears St., Columbus: This park is the center for county softball and baseball activities. It includes four lighted diamonds, concession stands, playground, and shelter houses. The latest addition to the park is a BMX Bike Track.
- Heflen Park, 4323 W. County Road 700N, Edinburgh: This 35-acre park includes an overnight campground, two shelter houses, fishing lake, hiking trails, basketball, volleyball, and horseshoe areas, as well as an all-purpose playing field.
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Two meetings are planned next week on a five-year master plan for the Bartholomew County Park Board:
- 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, fourth floor council chambers, Bartholomew County Government Office Building, Third and Franklin streets, Columbus.
- 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds Conservation Building, 750 W. County Road 200S, Columbus.
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