City to look into putting security cameras in park

Vandalism and graffiti tend to be everlasting issues at places as public as city parks.

And Robe-Ann Park in Greencastle certainly hasn’t been immune to such disrespectful action.

But a recent spate of activity apparently can be filed under the heading, enough is enough, since it has motivated Greencastle Park Director Rod Weinschenk to advise the Park Board of Commissioners that he will be seeking estimates for installation of security cameras at the park.

“We’ve received some spray paint tags throughout the park -- skate park, restrooms and shelters,” Weinschenk told the Banner Graphic. “Nothing out of the ordinary, but we believe it’s time for a few cameras to help monitor activities in the park. At this point I want to secure some budget estimates for our Park Board, mayor and clerk-treasurer.”

One other thing, Weinschenk noted, the cameras would give park officials the opportunity “to prove that park facilities are being used by our local citizens.”

The park director said he is aware of a set of four wireless cameras costing less than $200. How many cameras park officials might consider for proper observation has not been determined, although Weinschenk suggested as few as six might suffice.

Weinschenk did suggest placing one at the new bandshell, not just for security reasons, but indicating that if it could be installed at the correct angle, it might allow the park to televise musical events staged at the Robe-Ann Park bandshell.

No action was taken on the camera issue at the Park Board’s February meeting as more information is expected to be collected and shared.

The Park Board did approve a number of special requests for use of park facilities. Those included:

-- Use of the Robe-Ann Park bandshell by the Greencastle Civic League for the annual ParkFest concert series from May 28 to early August.

-- A Putnam County Swim Team request to use the city pool for a swim meet Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23 during the time period 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Park Director Weinschenk noted that the pool is “one of the only long-course pools in the area.”

-- A 5K Road Run Saturday, April 6 at Big Walnut Sports Park, sponsored by Putnam County Hospital.

-- A Color Run inside Robe-Ann Park, organized by Ja’el Thomas of the DePauw University Bonner Scholars group. It was granted approval for either 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 13 or Saturday, April 20. The event is being targeted to DePauw students.

-- A Saturday, May 11 Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) 5K Run fundraiser for the Indiana Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS). Board approval included waiving the shelter rental fee for Shelterhouse No. 5 during the event.

-- Use of Robe-Ann Park pickleball courts for youth tennis lessons by the West Central Indiana Community Tennis Association Mondays and Thursdays (8:30-10 a.m.) during the period June 17-July 25. Older children in the program will be using the courts at Greencastle High School.

-- Use of the Robe-Ann Park tennis courts by the Greencastle Middle School intramural tennis program on Mondays and Wednesdays during the period April 3-May 13. Fifteen GMS students took part in the program last year, it was noted.

In other business at the board’s February session:

-- The board voted to allow Park Board President Tim Trigg to sign a contract with HWC Engineering for an aquatics center feasibility study, the focus of which, Mayor Bill Dory noted, would be “inside the pool fence and the splashpark.” The study would also examine the pool parking area and “how it fits in with the five-year park plan,” he added.

The study would be looking at a three- to five-year window, Dory explained, although he said “some things we want to get done before the start of the season.”

“I’m all for making progress with our aquatic center,” the mayor added.

-- Vectren was granted an easement for a new gas line through Robe-Ann Park. The line enters the park at the Anderson Street walk-in entrance and meanders through the center of the park, along the edges of the roadway until it exits the park at the Bloomington Street entrance. One reason Vectren moved the line, Mayor Dory noted, is to keep it out from under the roadway so the pavement won’t have to be dug up in case there is a need to work on the gas line.

-- Weinschenk reported that two recent recreational programs were well received. A Brickmania Birthday Bash at the Putnam County Museum saw more than 300 people in attendance and some 350 food items being donated to the Putnam County Emergency Food Pantry by attendees. Meanwhile, another Groundhog Day Brickmania event was sold out with 12 youngsters taking part at City Hall.

-- Weinschenk also reported that no entries have been received in the annual Snow Sculpture Contest, deducing that the snow that has fallen was either followed by extreme cold and consequently was not good for packing and making snowballs or melted quickly upon its arrival.

The next regular session of the Park Board is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14 at City Hall.

Joining President Trigg, Weinschenk and Mayor Dory for the recent meeting were board members Beva Miller and Cathy Merrell, Greencastle Schools liaison Brittany Labhart, City Councilman Steve Fields and Park Maintenance Supervisor David Bault.