County Park Board discusses Mill Pond, Memorial Forest & Canoe/Kayak Lunch Project

Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 4:40 PM

The Marshall County Park and Recreation Board held their May meeting in the historic trustee cabin in the Memorial Forest on Thursday at 6 p.m.

President Greg Hildebrand called the meeting to order. Secretary Deb VanDeMark presented an $.29 invoice from NIPSCO for approval. She said the monthly bill has typically been $24 but through possibly the last few bills were estimated and NIPSCO read the meter. Although it hasn’t been received yet, the County Park Board pre-approved the internet bill for $49.

The multi-use trails at Mill Pond have been wet but the volunteers have been able to do some minor maintenance on the wooden features. Someone from Granger recently came down to the park and had some very positive comments about their experience.

Thanks to the local media’s information on the Disc Golf feature being added to the Memorial Forest, someone who produces signs for holes has stepped up to help provide the signs for the new course.

Brandon Calhoun has stepped up to oversee the Canoe/Kayak Launch projects. During Thursday’s meeting he recommended three sites where the county currently owns ground next to bridges on Hickory Road, 11th Road and Upas Road. Calhoun said there is an area at the Hickory Road site for parking and the location is about halfway between Bremen and Plymouth. The 11th Road site would be another good location if someone is putting in in Plymouth and the Upas Road location will tie into the launches in Starke County.

Calhoun wasn’t sure on how much county owned property is available at the bridge sites and the County Park Board will ask the County Surveyor if he could assist them in finding some corners to know where parking can be located. He also said the property owner at Hickory Road is interested in collaborating with the County Park Department on creating a launch at that bridge.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the community canoe/kayak launch projects should contact Greg Hildebrand at 574-952-4433 or Board member Richard Markley at 574-540-1028.