Crafty kids honored by Parks Department

Catherine and Leo Weeks (left and center) took second place for their gingerbread house, while Seth Lawrenz (right) won the first prize for his house.

Several local kids had their efforts honored by the Greencastle Park Board Wednesday at its monthly meeting. Before the meeting the board chose the winners of a pair of holiday craft contests.

In the gingerbread house contest, Seth Lawrenz took first place, while Leo and Catherine Weeks took second. In the Santa Claus Lego competition, Cade Bailey was the winner.

After the presentation, the regular portion of the meeting continued as scheduled.

Parks and Recreation Director Rod Weinschenk spoke to the board about the search for a new assistant director of the department. The applications for the position are due by Monday.

Weinschenk asked for a volunteers from the board to help him review the applications and to sit on a hiring committee for the interview process. Board members Russ Evans and Kara Thomas volunteered for the task.

Friends of the Park representative Jan Firebaugh reported that work on Shelter #1 at Robe-Ann Park is progressing. She reminded the board that while progress may be a bit slow, the construction is being completed by students and instructors from Area 30.

"Remember this is the student-teacher venture. The fellows are out ther learning the life of construction workers," Firebaugh said.

"It's now starting to really look like a shelter," Weinschenk added.

Weinschenk reported that progress is being made on the Albin Pond Trail addition to People Pathways. They are in the process of acquiring property and are looking at the need to build up the ground next to the road in certain places, particularly over waterways.

In other business:

* Mayor Sue Murray spoke with the board about issues of hunters parking and hunting at Jaycee Park. The problem with the issues is that conservation officers cannot be sure where the park begins and ends. Weinschenk said a "no hunting" sign could be posted at the entrance.

Murray also spoke of the problem that no rule has been written regarding the possession of firearms at city parks. Weinschenk advised board members to consider the issue so that they might discuss it in more detail at a later meeting.

* Weinschenk reported that youth basketball is now underway. Practices have begun and games will begin Dec. 13.

* He also reported that someone drove over one of the posts and gates at the Tennessee St. entrance to Robe-Ann Park. The post has since been replaced.

The Greencastle Park Board meets the first Wednesday of the month at Greencastle City Hall.