New logo coming for Greencastle Parks Dept.

A new Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department logo ”encapsulates what we would like Greencastle Parks to be,” Director Greg Ruark told the Park Board at its April meeting.

After working with graphic designer Brittany Deweese for some four months, Ruark presented the result -- a gold and reddish brown tulip poplar tree leaf containing silhouettes of three people at play above the words Greencastle Parks and Recreation. The stem of the leaf descends into the type, bisecting the “N” in Greencastle and finishing with a flourish between the words “and” and “recreation.”

“I’m really excited about this,” Ruark said Wednesday night after a prior rushed attempt working with Area 30 at the end of the last school year fell flat with Park Board members.

The tulip poplar is indigenous to Putnam County, Ruark noted.

“It’ll be on the side of vehicles, on business cards, hats and T-shirts,” the park director said of the new logo. “I like the tulip poplar aspect of it.”

Park Board member Tim Trigg concurred. “I like it,” he said. “I love the whole concept.”

Meanwhile, the Park Board also heard some exciting news from Sheila Holloway of the Putnam County Recovery Coalition, who asked permission to start and finish the Sunday, June 11 Recovery Run 5K at Robe-Ann Park. The starter for the race will be race car driver Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner who also plans to run in the race.

“Tony said he will come,” Holloway told the board. “He wants to start the race and run the race.”

Joining Kanaan at the park will be his wife Lauren, who graduated from DePauw University in 2004.

Plans are to start the race at 2 p.m. with the event lasting until about 5 p.m. Holloway said she has plans for food trucks and resource tables along with several speakers giving their testimony.

Cost of the race is $35. Registration is set for 4-6 p.m. June 10 and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on June 11 at the park.

The first 33 runners (the number of cars in an Indy 500 field) to register will be able to pick their favorite Indy car driver’s number.

In other business, the Park Board:

-- Heard Park Director Ruark report that the recently installed security cameras have proven to be an excellent deterrent with minimal vandalism occurring recently. “So far, so good,” Ruark said, noting that if necessary park personnel can go back and review the tapes. “It’s been well worth it,” Park Board member Doug Hutchison agreed.

-- Heard Assistant Director Chrysta Snellenberger report that Mary Bretscher has not only agreed to run the learn-to-swim program at the aquatic center but will pay the salaries of personnel and for any necessary supplies. Because of that, Snellenberger said the fee will be reduced from $70 to $25 per child with Bretscher paying the difference. Snellenberger estimated that cost to be picked up by Bretscher as $10,496 this summer. Ruark called it “an incredible gesture” and “a gift that will keep on giving for years.” Anyone interested in supporting Bretscher’s efforts may make a donation to the Paul and Mary Bretscher Learn-to-Swim Fund at the Putnam County Community Foundation.

-- Agreed to a new proposal from Kona Ice to supply a kiosk to dispense snow cones in the parking lot at the aquatic center on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this season. The Parks Department will receive a 10 percent donation from all sales, 20 percent for sales at events and sports leagues and a $250 donation for the Fourth of July. Park Board President Cathy Merrell called it a “win-win,” adding, “I don’t think it took away from the concession stand.”

-- Approved a request from First Baptist Church, represented by Lynda Dunbar, for pool rental for an all-community event on Tuesday, July 18 from 5-7 p.m. Dunbar said church members will be handing out invitations along the Putnam County Fair parade route. Previous First Baptist events have seen 300-350 persons attend. While the pool is no longer doing private pool party rentals, it will rent the facility for a community night such as First Baptist plans in which all swimmers are admitted free. The church will also be giving away bottled water, hotdogs and snacks.

-- Accepted a proposed agreement with HWC Engineering for information gathering, public participation and analysis for the 2023-27 Park Master Plan. Compensation will be capped at $28,000. The master plan, Mayor Bill Dory noted, is a requirement for applying for grants for the park.

-- Approved a request from nurse Fawn Helmer to conduct back-to-school vaccinations at Robe-Ann Park near shelterhouse No. 5 by the playground. Students who get a vaccination will receive a pool pass, however, the passes will not be usable the day received or on any weekend day.

-- Approved use of the pickleball courts for a summer tennis program put on by West Central Tennis over 10 days in June and July from 8:30-10:15 a.m.

-- Heard Snellenberger report that she is in the process of hiring the last couple of workers for the concession stand at the pool and that 24 lifeguards are already in place. “It’s going to be a great summer,” Ruark predicted.

Park Board members Merrell, Trigg and Hutchison were joined by Joanna Muncie, Director Ruark, Assistant Director Snellenberger and Maintenance Director David Bault for the 75-minute meeting at the park office. Mayor Dory and Clerk-Treasurer Dunbar were also on hand.

The next regularly scheduled Park Board meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 3 at the park office.