Park Board meeting focuses on Jaycee Park

Greencastle’s Jaycee Park was the center of attention again at the October Park Board meeting.

With ongoing issues like weed treatment at the Jaycee Park lake and the possibility of a Rose-Hulman Institute engineering project at the park getting recurring attention, the newest Jaycee Park news was the possibility of a documentary being filmed at the 22-acre facility just east of Greencastle on the back side of the Putnam County Regional Airport.

The Park Board gave its permission for the video project, which Park Director Greg Ruark said came after he was “called out of the blue” recently by Jen Lowery of Harborline Pictures, who said that filming would likely be at sunrise or sunset for the lighting and would primarily be shooting around the lake area of the park with trees in the background and possibly some walking shots.

Only one actor, who lives in Greencastle, and a crew of three are expected to be involved in what was described as a “period piece.”

In an email to Park Director Ruark, Jason Lowery said he found Jaycee Park online and “thought the fall colors with the lake would be perfect.”

“I currently live in Florida but grew up in Hendricks County,” he added, “so I’m quite excited to bring the beauty of Indiana into the short film.”

Ruark said the filmmaker said he would include a film credit and a special thank you in the end credits.

The Park Board gave its unanimous permission following a motion by Tim Trigg and affirmative votes from President Cathy Merrell and Joanna Muncie. Board member Doug Hutchison was absent.

In other Jaycee Park-related developments, Ruark informed the board that Rose-Hulman did not select the park for a partnership this year. Jaycee Park had been under consideration for a project to be undertaken by engineering students for creation of an ADA fishing dock and other improvements.

Ruark indicated he would reach out to Rose-Hulman organizers next year to see if there would be mutual interest then.

Meanwhile, the board tabled further discussion on additional weed treatments at the Jaycee Park lake. Three such treatments have already been done by Shane Ford of HWC and Land Resources with encouraging results.

Ruark said the Parks Department has received “spectacular feedback from the public,” noting that anglers “can throw a line in and not lose it” or retrieve it covered in moss.

Ford has suggested that the city do seven more treatments to deter duckweed and algae from taking over. The cost is a lump sum $8,000.

City Council member Stacie Langdon, who serves as Park Department liaison to the Council, asked, “Do we really need 10 treatments?” She noted that the lake had previously gone 20 years without such treatment.

Ruark suggested he would see if every other month would be a workable schedule, adding that he was “prepared for him (Ford) to say if you skip a month, it’s like one step forward and two steps back.”

In other business, the Park Board:

-- Approved monthly claims totaling $35,184, which includes purchase of a Bobcat UTV from Keener’s Mowers at $20,745. Ruark explained that the new equipment was budgeted for and will include a snowplow that will help the Park Department “mind our own weather issues if necessary” and not have to rely on the Street Department.

-- Heard Recreation Director Ashley Crady announce that a free Halloween program, Boo Bash, is set for 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 on the lot at the aquatic center at Robe-Ann Park. Activities will include a hayride, games, a photo booth and more with a food truck featuring Hawaiian barbecue, a coffee truck and a Kona Ice truck.

-- Heard Crady note that a Nerf Domination event is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at Robe-Ann Park for ages 5-16. Youngsters should bring their own Nerf guns or can rent one for $1. Safety glasses will be required with limited quantities available to borrow.

-- Heard Assistant Director Chrysta Snellenberger report that the city pool will be winterized Oct. 18.

-- Heard Snellenberger note that park picnic tables are being repaired and repainted in lobster blue-colored paint. “We’re trying to color coordinate the park a little and brighten it up,” she said.

-- Heard Ruark report that 10 teams have begun play in the fall adult softball league with games Tuesday and Thursday nights. One team has players from Worthington and Jasonville, he said.

-- Heard Ruark report that the park trash pick-up has been modified to once a week on Tuesdays due to the off-season.

-- Learned from Mayor Bill Dory that the next phase of Robe-Ann Park improvements will not begin until spring, although it may be bid out before the end of the year because drawings will need to be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources. The goal is to complete the work before the aquatic center opens on Memorial Day weekend. Delaying work until spring will allow the park to be open for cars to drive through for the holiday lights event this December.

The next meeting of the Greencastle Park Board is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the park office in Robe-Ann Park.