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The new year has brought many changes to city government. One
of these changes is that Gail Riecken has replaced Michael Madriaga as the
Director of the Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation. Gail has served
as the Education and Marketing Chair for the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage
Advisory Board and has been a past City Council representative. Welcome, Gail.
Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage: Unfortunately, the State did not fund the
Greenway Passages Traffic Enhancement Grant for funds to design and construct
the portion of the pedestrian/bikeway that would connect Sunrise Park to the
Hi-Rail section that will run along Highway 41. This is the second year in a row
that we have not been funded. The Advisory Board has asked local legislators to
aid our funding efforts. The Enhancement grant is federal monies that are
returned to the state for constructing trails, building rest areas along roads,
restoring historic facilities that are located on roadways, etc. The federal
dollar gives the city eight dollars for every two dollars the city matches. This
is economic development because the money employs people and businesses in our
area and purchases equipment and supplies from our merchants.
The Riverfront Corridor of the Greenway Passage is almost complete. Go see it;
it is beautiful. Some facts of interest are:
- Length 1.1 miles for a total of 1.5 miles along the
Riverfront
- Cost - $2.95 million (80% Federal and 20% local match)
- Important Aspects:
Wider path for pedestrians and bicycles (10 12 feet wide)
Two Riverfront overlooks at Sunset Park and the Museum
Enlarged grass seating area for public viewing of river events
Six (6) new historical plaques and three (3) story boards
New decorative fencing a celestial gate for the Museum
Enhancement of the Pagoda Trail Head
- Facts to date:
20,206 yards of sod
2000 tons of asphalt
45,000 paving bricks
840 cubic yards of concrete
10,400 tons of rip rap rock placed on the levee
17,000 man hours of union laborers, carpenters, operators, electricians, and
masons
1.5 miles of gabion baskets if placed end-to-end
Enough geotextile fabric under the rip rap to cover more than 2.5 football
fields
54 tons of limestone (benches and pillars for Museum fence)
48 trees and 2000 flowers and shrubs have been planted
The Greenway Passage is good business for Evansville besides
adding to the quality of life and the restoration of natural resources.
Howell Wetlands Outdoor Education Center: (taken in part from Coming
Together, the Soil & Water Conservation District Newsletter)
Howell Wetlands just received a face-lift, but more than beauty was at stake.
Severe soil erosion and sedimentation could have destroyed parts of the area
within five years. This wetland not only serves as a beautiful Westside
educational and recreational area, but also as a filter for sediment and other
pollutants before entering nearby waterways and eventually the Ohio River.
Thanks to the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for
recommending that a portion of the Clean Water Indiana funding be used to
correct the problem. Alice Rademacher, Director of Wesselman Woods Nature
Preserve, secured the cost share match from the City of Evansville.
In order to restore the banks and shorelines, the eroding areas were cut and
filled and covered with a minimum of 6 inches of topsoil. The area was then
seeded with warm season grasses, fertilized and mulched. A surface inlet was
installed to enhance surface drainage and erosion control blankets were placed
in high velocity areas to reduce any chance of further erosion. The improved
slopes eliminated gullies and greening of the grasses are already apparent. We
know over time many more positive effects such as cleaner water, improved
habitat and a more effective water filter will become noticeable.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the successful conclusion of this project.
Next month Ill report on the erosion problems of Mesker Park Zoo.
Shirley James, Chair
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