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BURDETTE PARK REVIEW AND REPORT
by Fred Padget

In a separate article from the WIA Parks Committee written by Shirley James, several recommendations of the committee concerning Burdette Park were mentioned. These recommendations were in response to a Master Plan for the park being developed by The Corradino Group and requested by the Vanderburgh County Commission. The study is to be completed later this summer and will include a five and ten year vision of the park and its amenities. In this article , I’ll explore in greater depth some of the details of the Initial Assessment Report as presented by The Corradino Group at a public meeting on June 14, 2003.

As expressed in the study,

“the purpose of the Initial Assessment Report is to record and evaluate the condition of the existing park facilities. This task includes the gathering of all relevant data … including historical, operational and site specific information.

“Vanderburgh County’s Burdette Park, founded in the early 1930’s, provides a unique collection of passive and active pleasures set within the varied and rich natural setting of southern Indiana. The park’s natural environment is its primary draw, providing visitors with both breathtaking and intimate encounters with the natural landscape. Burdette Park is a great example of the marriage of built form with the unique natural landscape of southwestern Indiana. The dense 140 acre wooded site provides a classic setting for the rustic architecture of its primary structures.

“The relationship between the built and natural environments is the bedrock of Burdette Park’s aesthetic appeal. Since its beginnings over 60 years ago, Burdette Park has evolved and adapted to meet the needs of its users while preserving the qualities that have come to define the park and its environs.”

The above, taken from the Introduction of the Initial Assessment Report by The Corradino Group, expresses my feelings and the feelings of many others much better than I could. Burdette Park is a rare jewel and a major asset to Vanderburgh County and the surrounding area. The County Commissioners, the County Council, the Burdette Park Advisory Board, manager Steve Craig and his staff, all deserve much credit for the many improvements at the park over the years and doing it with a good balance between preserving nature and providing great facilities.

An interesting aspect of the study, and something most of us probably take for granted or don’t think about, is that 17 separate Activity Centers were identified by the study. They are:

The Nurrenbern Gateways                                 Burdette Lake             Burdette Commons
Aquatic Center                                                 Lily Creek                   Bishea Activity Center
Chalet Hill                                                        RV Campgrounds        North Side Shelter Houses
Discovery Lodge                                               BMX Stadium              West Side Shelter Houses
Primitive Campgrounds                                     Baseball Complex        Clubhouse Shelter Houses
Scout Circle Campgrounds                                The WPA Heritage Trail

Obviously this represents many and varied activities. Each was evaluated and recommendations were made to further improve or better utilize these activities. One Activity Center I would like to discuss in further detail is the WPA Heritage Trail.

Again from the Initial Assessment Report “perhaps one of Burdette Park’s most significant legacies is its connection to the history of projects produced by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Under the leadership of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the WPA program produced thousands of public structures in the 1930’s nationwide. In that time span over 8,000 public parks were built in the United States. Burdette Park benefited early in its history from the WPA program and its most significant and endearing structures were built as a result of that assistance. Such structures include several bridges, shelter houses, paths, cabins and sophisticated and elaborate system of troughs to feed the original salt-water pool.” An amphitheater is also in existence from that time period.

The study recommends restoration and preservation of these historic structures and identifies several potential funding sources that may be willing to help with creation of a WPA Heritage Trail. This likely could be accomplished with little or no cost to local government or taxpayer. And another major historical asset would be preserved for the future.

Although the final Master Plan is not yet complete, some of the immediate recommendations from the study include improved signage throughout the park, architectural design guidelines, a long range plan for land acquisition and dual use facilities with USI, more open green space and added small, linear parking in remote areas with less use of asphalt. Other recommendations include potential addition of a Lazy River Ride in lieu of a Wave Pool, interactive play structures at the Family Pool, replacing the Liquid Lightning Slide, enclosing the Main Pavilion, additional chalets and improvements at the RV Campground.

Although the meeting was sparsely attended , there was considerable discussion about the possibility of a roller skating rink and a dance pavilion similar to past facilities. Discussion also concerned the possibility of increasing the marketing budget. There is currently a budget of approximately $30,000 for marketing expense but it was felt more advertising done properly could be quite effective. All concerned deserve credit for the study effort and foresight to make a great asset even greater.

And wouldn’t it be especially great to walk the WPA Heritage Trail!
 

© 2008 Westside Improvement Association, Inc.