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At the last meeting of WIA’s Parks Committee we invited David Elgin of the
Four Rivers Resources and John Pease of the Westside Soccer Youth Club.
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Clem Frank Nature Preserve: Mr. Elgin said that Four Rivers was a vehicle
for local people to form and do projects involving resources, conservation, and
development. The organization is involved in 10 counties starting in Green
County. Their offices are located in Petersburg. Four Rivers is the umbrella for
the Wabash Heritage Land Trust.
He said Four Rivers and the Land Trust was eager to merge with the David Dale
Owen Land Trust and would be willing to accept the Clem Frank Nature Preserve
into the Wabash Heritage Land Trust. Elgin also said Lisa LaBudde from Valley
Watch would serve on their board and asked that Sam Wentzel from the West
Terrace Neighborhood Association also serve. Sam accepted and turned over all
the required documents to Elgin. Elgin indicated the name on the deed would have
to be changed to the Four Rivers organization instead of Wabash Heritage Land
Trust. Westside Improvement paid for the survey fees and Mr. Clem Frank donated
the land. The area is about three acres of old growth woods and will become the
Clem Frank Nature Preserve. The West Terrace Neighborhood Association has
incorporated and has signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to maintain
the property. This land will be kept in perpetuity and can never be developed.
We will dedicate the Nature Preserve on Arbor Day.
Westside Soccer Youth Club: John Pease informed the committee the West
Side Soccer Youth Club was formed just last year in order to accommodate over
800 west side children who were involved with the sport. They accept children
from kindergarten up to high school. They charge fees which are given back in
forms of trophies, T-shirts and other incentives. The organization leases
Moutoux Park from the Parks Dept and has made improvements to that park to
accommodate soccer play. They plan to acquire more adjacent land to add soccer
fields.
Their major problem with Moutoux Park is drainage. Pease said there is a
leachate issue and a water problem they would like to see improved. Glenn Boberg
of the Parks Dept. said that IDEM has reviewed the leachate and has told the
Parks Dept. it is not hazardous to the health but must be corrected. The Parks
Dept will do that. There is no leachate on the playing fields.. After making the
landfill repair, the Parks Dept. is considering planting the landfill portion of
the park in wild flowers so mowing will be negligable since mowing is
detrimental to the landfill cap.
The drainage issue is pervasive and needs to be addressed. The Parks Committee
suggested Pease be in touch with Mike Wathen of the Soil and Water Conservation
District. Elgin indicated Four Rivers might be able to provide some aid.
Pease cited vandalism, not enough parking, and lack of light as being additional
problems. The Parks Committee invited Mr. Pease to become a member.
Howell Park: Howell Booster Club is planning two Howell Park concerts
this summer—one in June and one in September.
They wish to build another pavilion; however, funding for that will have to be
acquired so it will be a few years before they begin the project.
Burdette Park: Steve Craig, Manager of Burdette, brought a landscape
design for the new Discovery Center. They wish to plant all native species.
Master Gardeners have agreed to donate services to plant, but other volunteers
will also be needed to keep costs down.
Howell Wetlands Outdoor Interpretive Center: Kristin Moran, curator of
the Howell Wetlands, said their erosion problem grant is still current and they
will proceed to utilize the funds by August of this year. The beaver problem is
back. There are some plans to build a manmade dam upstream from the bridge and
pump water from the fields.
Mesker Park Zoo: Dot Berning will check on bumper car fees at Mesker Park
Zoo and Abigail Rosendale will check on Lake Victoria issues.
Skate Board Park: Boberg indicated an Eagle Scout has been doing
plantings at the Skate Board Park.
The Parks Committee will meet every third Wednesday at 4:30 P.M. at the West
Side Library on West Franklin Street. Our meetings are open to anyone who wishes
to attend.
Shirley James, Chair
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