Covered bridge coming to Robe-Ann Park?

Designed as a covered bridge, the Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau Welcome Center is currently located at the Cloverdale Travel Plaza property at U.S. 231 and Interstate 70, where it was built for the CVB about 15 years ago.

The quaint little covered bridge that has doubled as the Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau Welcome Center in Cloverdale may find a new home in Greencastle's Robe-Ann Park.

The Greencastle Park Board, responding to an email from CVB Director Karla Lawless about the possible relocation of the 10-by-30 foot covered bridge building, is investigating the possibility.

The board voted unanimously at its May meeting to allow Parks and Recreation Director Rod Weinschenk to "look into the possibilities."

The CVB is seeking to donate the welcome center building, which has stood on the Cloverdale Travel Plaza property at U.S. 231 and Interstate 70 since it was built about 15 years ago.

The only stipulation in the CVB donation, Lawless said, is that the recipients would have to move the building. She said the last quote she received on moving it was "around $2,000."

Weinschenk estimated it would be an $8,000-$10,000 project to move the bridge to Greencastle and have it anchored at a spot in Robe-Ann Park.

In addition to the moving costs, he envisions added expenses such as constructing concrete abutments for both ends of the bridge building and running electricity to the site.

Park Board members expressed excitement about the possibilities of turning the building into a useful addition to Robe-Ann Park.

"Aesthetically, it would be great," board member Kyle Kerrigan said in making the motion to consider the idea.

Weinschenk envisions the covered bridge being placed just east of the main entrance to Robe-Ann Park (off Bloomington Street), where it would span the wet area where a spring or creek cuts through the grass southwest of the asphalt that borders the Emerald Palace playground.

Assistant Park Director Troy Scott sees the potential addition as useful building for small programs and activities in the park, including even a Santa house at Christmastime.

Funds from the Facilities Maintenance Account in the park budget could be used for the project, Weinschenk suggested.

As of Tuesday evening, no official decision had been made on the possible acquisition of the structure by the Greencastle Park Department, Lawless told the Banner Graphic.