Parks director sees projects despite low cash

Thursday, October 2, 2008

The Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department, like most tax-supported agencies in Putnam County, is facing financial challenges, but so far, services are continuing as normal.

Parks and Recreation Director Rod Weinschenk assured members of the park board Wednesday night that the tight finances will not prohibit the department from continuing with several major projects.

The first is a disc, or Frisbee, golf course that is slated to be built at Big Walnut Community Park. The nine-hole course is played, not with golf balls, but flying discs. Its popularity is growing and local park officials said it was something they wanted to bring to the city.

The disc golf course is being funded through grant money and plans are to order it from the manufacturer by the end of the year, with installation next spring.

Secondly, the park board is going to install a new score board at Robe-Ann Park and at the adult softball field at Big Walnut Sports Park. Weinschenk said there are $10,000 available for that project.

Finally, the parks department is slated to get a new lawnmower. Weinschenk said he has been authorized to seek quotes in December, with a spring purchase planned.

The city is also moving ahead with buying property for Phase III of People Pathways. This too is being funded through a grant.

Weinschenk said he was told by City Clerk-Treasurer Teresa Glenn that tax bills won't be going out until November, meaning the city won't get its tax draw before December.

"That's going to make for a tight situation here," Weinschenk said. "Again we'll probably have to borrow some money to get us to the end of the year."

So far, the parks department has borrowed $210,000 from the city to keep its budget afloat until the end of the year.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: