WARSAW — The Warsaw Parks And Recreation Department board discussed the results of a two-month survey that was released in order to help give the next Five Year Plan a community designed direction. The results were presented by Pat Brown of Sitescapes Inc., a company that has worked with the Parks department in the past to help design and populate parks with benches and tables.

“Ninety-two percent said yes [the parks meet their expectations],” said Brown as he pointed to the numbers on the board. “Eighty-seven percent said yes, that they like the trails we already have and they want to see more … We asked what improvements you’d like to see in the parks. Eighty-four percent said swimming beaches and 76 percent said picnic shelters,” Brown continued through the graphs.

The answers to the survey became less decisive when it came to what features people wanted added to the parks. EIghty-one percent of the people who voted said they wanted splash pads, canoe rentals, kayak rentals and paddle boat rentals. After going over the basic numbers, Brown opened the topic to discussion for the board and the public.

Board Member Diane Quance brought the need for a new park north of US 30 and west of SR 15. Another Board Member, Michelle Boxel, also had another issue she wanted to include in the Five Year Plan. “We also need a [bike and foot] crossing over [US] 30,” she said.

Brown cautioned the board and the public not to try and bite off more than they could chew. “You can’t fit ten pounds in a five pound bag … There is no easy solution [for crossing US 30],” he said.

The forum continued to brainstorm ideas for the Five Year Plan, including a possible looping trail that would connect Harrison and the YMCA to the trail system that already exists. Mayor Thallemer suggested a lateral rail off the planned cycle track through downtown.

Brown also brought up the issue of the Center Lake Pavilion and the potential need to replace it. One of the members of the public suggested they make it a new activity center on the lake.

“Multi-purpose is a must. We can’t afford to make a single use building anymore,” Brown responded, in agreement. He also suggested, since Center Lake has limited space, that perhaps Kelly Park could become a second complimentary park for the community. “Think about what could happen down there,” he said.

Brown also reminded the forum that all these options would be explored and examined properly before action was taken. “We’re gonna have 6-8 months to really fine tune this … We don’t need to turn in the final version until April 15 [of 2017],” he stated.

Other Business:

• Dane Gray of the Tobacco Free Coalition of Kosciusko County made a presentation on the benefits of making parks smoke-free. The board decided to review the new information granted by the presentation and to table a decision until the next meeting.
• Rich Haddad of K21 Healthbound Motion made a proposal for the creation of an outdoor skating rink in the parks system. The board decided to create an ad-hoc committee to look into the viability of the project.
• Sue Kruger, who represented Warsaw community Grace Brethren Church requested that the fees for renting a shelter be waived for their Love In Action program, which would feed those who don’t have the money for food at the local parks. The board denied her request on the basis that they’re policy has been that, while programs like this one are certainly allowed to operate in the parks, they must still pay the rental fee of $25 for the use of a shelter.
• Clark Shepard requested that a donation of a memorial bench to the parks system be approved. The board approved the donation.
• The board approved a resolution concerning the Stellar Community Designation.
• The board passed the 2017 budget.