Residents have say on parks

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June 17, 2008

City looking to update its 5-year master plan

By KEN de la BASTIDE The Kokomo Tribune Tue Jun 17, 2008, 11:30 PM EDT

Even if you have never used a city park, the Kokomo Parks & Recreation Department wants to hear from you.

It’s in the process of updating the five-year master plan and is looking for public input on how the parks can be improved.

Tuesday, the first of two public meetings was held to garner that input. More than 50 turned out at the meeting at Highland Park.

Residents are being asked to fill out a survey — by July 31 — at www.cityofkokomo.org. Surveys will also be distributed at several parks.

The parks department is working with Rundell Ernstberger Associates and the Eppley Institute for Parks to develop the new master plan.

“Time is a rare commodity, and you made the time to be here,” parks director John Martino told those who attended the meeting. “You will have a voice in the direction of the parks department.”

The master plan will serve as a blueprint for future developments and improvements, Martino said, adding it will also help obtain grant funding.

“This is your opportunity to voice your hopes and dreams for the parks,” said Cheryl Chalfont, with Rundell. “There is nothing too big or too little to talk about.”

Residents were asked to write comments about each of the city’s 30 existing parks. They were also asked to comment on the proposed park at the Continental Steel site.

“We know it is of community interest,” Chalfont said of the site.

Concerns were voiced about the amount of dog and geese droppings in the parks.

“It is not just a Kokomo problem,” Martino said. “We are working on it.”

Wes Evans, director of the City of Firsts Soap Box Derby, said the group would like to see a permanent facility for the annual event constructed at either the Continental Steel site or the Jackson Morrow Park.

“Right now, we use Main Street,” Evans said. “We can only use it once a year and have to deal with the residents. If we had a permanent site, we could host rallies which would bring people to Kokomo from all over the United States.”

Bridgette Yeakel wants to see a Memorial Park included at Reservoir Park. Plans have already been developed to build a park, but have not moved forward.

She said the park would allow people to memorialize loved ones with a brick in a walkway, park bench or planting of a tree.

Tom Peters, who regularly plays disc golf at Highland Park, would like to see two more courses constructed at Reservoir Park and Jackson Morrow Park.

“It’s nice to have an 18-hole course now,” he said. “With three courses, each would be different and would provide something for everyone.”

Robin Tetrault wants to see the city parks connected by a running trail.

“The Walk of Excellence is coming along nicely,” she said. “We need to generate interest in the parks and make people aware of what the city has.”

Ken de la Bastide can be reached at (765) 454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com

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