$10 parking fee for eclipse watchers gets Park Board approval

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With the much-ballyhooed total solar eclipse now just six weeks away, the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department is refining its options for the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Big Walnut Sports Park and its 545 parking spaces has already been chosen as the designated viewing site locally as hundreds -- if not thousands, if you can believe the hype -- of visitors are expected in west central Indiana for the April 8 eclipse.

And at the February meeting of the Park Board, a $10 parking fee was unanimously approved at the suggestion of Park Director Greg Ruark and a motion by Park Board President Cathy Merrell. The funds will help negate the cost of manpower for supervising the event, directing traffic and cleaning up the parking and viewing area. At a previous meeting it was agreed that no overnight camping would be allowed at the sports park for the eclipse.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lynda Dunbar told the board she has also reached out to several local churches about residents being able to use their parking lots to observe the eclipse.

Ruark reported that the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau will be passing out eclipse glasses and Frisbee-like golf discs to each car entering the sports park. He said organizers will be soliciting food vendors for their potential presence at the site.

While there will also be a police and fire department presence at the sports park during the event, Ruark said organizers will be contacting the Putnam County CERT group for its aid as well.

Meanwhile, the Park Board also heard from organizer Will Bartlett about the proposed slingshot tournament scheduled for June 27-30 at Big Walnut Sports Park with participants asking for permission to camp at Jaycee Park that last weekend of June.

Roughly 100 participants are expected for the tournament, and while some will seek lodging elsewhere, a number of them hope to camp in tents, hammocks and vehicles at Jaycee Park.

Merrell questioned the use of camp fires at the park and it was suggested that fires be confined to designated areas near the lake and shelterhouse for light and atmosphere.

Parking was another concern, and it was suggested that organizers reach out to Putnam County Regional Airport officials to request use of property at the old airport entrance adjacent to Jaycee Park for additional parking.

Bartlett also suggested participants might enjoy a slingshot course around Jaycee Park if that can be arranged.

Ruark noted that “once we get specific details,” they will be shared with residents of the Jaycee Park area so that they know what to expect.

Saying “I think it’s a really cool event,” Park Board member Tim Trigg made the motion to approve use of the parks for the tournament. The motion passed unanimously.

Repairs to the Greencastle Aquatic Center were also discussed and approved with the surge tank, which ensures the water remains safe to use throughout the season, and the filtration system being replaced.

A proposal by Spear Corp., Roachdale, for just under $600,000 for the projects was approved on a motion by Doug Hutchison with the caveat that the projects not commence until after the next swim season since the pool must be empty to undertake the work. It was agreed that if the project needs to be done in stages, that the surge tank be done first.

Brice Jones of Spear said the surge tank will be dug out and forms put in place for a new, larger space that will be “massively bigger.”

“Honestly,” he said, “it’s best if you do it after the season. I’d hate for you not to have a pool for the Memorial Day weekend.”

It was noted that both pool projects are a result of equipment aging at a normal rate. The filter system and surge tank were part of the original pool build.

Mayor Dunbar said the project is “one of the last big things that need to be done around the pool,” suggesting that the work be financed and that the clerk-treasurer solicit bids from the local banks for a three-year repayment period.

In other pool-related action, an ADA-approved wheelchair to roll handicapped patrons into the zero-depth area was approved to replace the battery-powered lift that no longer operates.

“It is more comfortable than being swung into the pool by a lift,” Assistant Park Director Chrysta Snellenberger assured.

New steps mounted to the deck will also replace previous steps that weren’t anchored and created a safety hazard as youngsters who swam under them could not readily be seen by lifeguards.

Snellenberger also reported that six new lifeguard chairs have been ordered to replace the ones that are “very old, aren’t level and made of fiberglass,” which can be irritating to the skin of some guards.

Mayor Dunbar supports the purchase, saying “too many lifeguards had to file Workman’s Comp because of the chairs” that they slid off or something broke.

“We’ll find a way to make it work,” the mayor said of the finances necessary, noting that the new pool wheelchair and steps would be covered by an ADA line item in the city budget.

In other business, the Park Board:

• Learned that the location of the Saturday, March 30 Easter egg hunt may have to be changed from Robe-Ann Park if phase II of the park renovation project is under way at that time. The likely alternate site would be Big Walnut Sports Park.

• Heard Ruark report that the Parks Department will be assuming more responsibility for planning and organizing the Holiday Festival of Lights display at Robe-Ann Park. While park officials will still be working with Greencastle Civic League representatives, Recreation Director Ashley Crady will take the lead for the Parks Department. “I’m really excited about the event going forward,” Ruark commented, noting that funding will be a collaboration of city and Friends of the Park funds.

• Accepted bids from Dave’s Heating and Cooling, Greencastle, and Superior Services, Poland, on a new furnace and water heater, respectively, for the renovated Robe-Ann Park restrooms. Dave’s bid was $2,387 for the furnace, blower and thermostat, while Superior submitted a bid of $1,200 for purchase and installation of the water heater.

• Heard Snellenberger report that this summer’s SPARK program will not begin until after July 4 with sessions only Monday-Thursday, while swimming lessons will be done in the evenings this year, creating more time for adult lap swim mornings and evenings (11 a.m.-noon and 7-8 p.m.) during June and July.

• Heard Crady report that a STEM program for K-5 home school students will commence Feb. 28 for five weeks at the Putnam County Extension Office. Enrollment is $5.

• Heard Crady report that 102 youngsters have signed up for the youth basketball program, while 12 sponsors are involved. Games began Feb. 3 at Deer Meadow Primary School.

• Authorized a portion of People Pathways to be used for the Saturday, July 27 Dust Bowl 100 bicycle race. The race starts in Eminence but 95 percent of it is run in Putnam County. Sold out for the fourth year in a row, the race will have 1,000 participants from 28 states and three countries.

• Approved a portion of People Pathways to be used for the 11th CARR 5K run at 5 p.m. June 8. Put on by A Kinetic Change, the event will begin and end at Deer Meadow.

• Approved a portion of Robe-Ann Park for use for the April 13 Moore’s-to-Moore’s 5K. Runners and walkers will enter via the Anderson Street entrance and exit via Wood Street. Proceeds will go to the Mike and Mackenzie (Meyer) Scholarship Fund at Greencastle High School.

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