Contingency plan for July 4 fireworks eyed

Should ongoing construction work along Bloomington Street still be impacting Robe-Ann Park the first week of July, Greencastle park officials are readying a contingency plan for the annual Fourth of July fireworks.

Park Director Greg Ruark told the Park Board at its May meeting that he has talked with Rieth-Riley Construction officials, who are tackling the massive U.S. 231 (Bloomington Street) project that this year is being undertaken between Veterans Memorial Highway and Washington Street. At present, they believe that the construction work will have moved past the Bloomington Street entrance to Robe-Ann Park by June 15, allowing pedestrians to safely access the park.

However, should that not be the case, Ruark said he is working on a contingency plan if construction activity is still like it is. The Fourth of July celebration, fireworks and all, would be moved to another location -- most likely the Big Walnut Sports Park -- should that be necessary.

“Hopefully that holds true,” Park Board President Cathy Merrell said of the Rieth-Riley prediction. “But it won’t be too difficult if we have to do it,” she added.

A move to Big Walnut Sports Park wouldn’t be unprecedented. It was done once before during Mayor Nancy Michael’s administration. That was an effort to provide more room for spectators and allow them to safely sit far enough away from ground displays.

The contingency topic was presented as a heads-up to the board and no official action was necessary.

Meanwhile, Ruark also advised board members it can expect to have some groups come before them at the June meeting -- “in fact, I guarantee it,” he said -- to discuss naming rights for park shelterhouses.

“You can’t just fill out paperwork and do this,” Ruark stressed. “They have to qualify and present to the Park Board why they desire this opportunity.”

The Greencastle Parks system currently has eight facility shelters within the three main parks -- shelters one, two and five in Robe-Ann Park (shelters three and four were razed years ago), shelters one, two and three in Big Walnut Sports Park and shelters one and two in Jaycee Park.

“By listing the shelters with numbers,” Ruark has noted in the past, “there is tendency to confuse where each shelter is located. Placing a name on each shelter should eliminate this confusion.”

For example, he said navigating their way through the website in order to reserve a numbered shelter can be confusing. Attaching a name to it might make things easier.

“We’re hoping to alleviate some of those concerns going forward,” Ruark added.

An annual fee or multi-year agreement has been suggested for businesses or groups to put their name on a shelter. As an example, in January he listed “ABC Insurance Company” with a one-year agreement at the hypothetical figure of $500, “123 Dental Office” with a two-year deal at $900 and “Give and Go Convenience Store” agreeing to a three-year contract for $1,200.

Money raised by the sponsorships would be utilized for the upkeep and maintenance of the shelter.

In other business, the Park Board:

-- Heard Mayor Bill Dory report that he is working on a security lighting project at Big Walnut Sports Park. He envisions the lights starting along the roadway and then perhaps at the parking lot back by the dog park where “it is pretty dark in that area.” Because of the costs likely involved, the project will have to go out for bids once the work is formalized.

-- Heard Maintenance Director David Bault announce that the annual free Fishing Derby at Jaycee Park is set for Saturday, June 3 from 8-11 a.m. Youngsters age 17 and under can sign up on line or just show up that day to participate.

-- Heard Ruark report that to book shelterhouse rentals, persons should go to greeencastleparks.com or call the park office at 653-3395 if help is needed to be walked through it.

-- Heard Ruark report that five trees have been planted along the outside of the softball diamond fence at Robe-Ann Park to replace a number of trees lost to weather or the construction project. Planted as part of Ethan’s Legacy project in remembrance of Ethan Ames were a dogwood, crabapple, maple, oak and pink magnolia.

Joining Ruark, Mayor Dory and Park Board President Merrell for the 40-minute meeting were board members Tim Trigg, Joanna Muncie and Doug Hutchison. City Council parks liaison Stacie Langdon was also in attendance.

The next regularly scheduled Park Board meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 7 at the park office in Robe-Ann Park.