A five-year plan for Starke County’s parks will be discussed during tonight’s County Park Board meeting. Edwin Buswell with the Kankakee-Iroquios Regional Planning Commission is expected to provide some information on the process.
Earlier this month, the Starke County Commissioners agreed to appropriate up to $15,000 to help create the plan. The county previously discussed getting grant funding for the planning process, but County Attorney Marty Lucas expressed concerns about the process of proving the county’s eligibility for the grant. Having a strategic plan in place would open up new grant opportunities for the Starke County Park Board.
As usual, the board members will also get an update on conditions at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Lessee Richard Callahan and attorney Todd Wallsmith are scheduled to appear before the board, along with other representatives.
Some area residents have called for Callahan’s removal, saying that he’s violated his lease by failing to maintain the property to a certain level of quality. County officials, however, say the issue’s not that simple and that any eviction effort would be a lengthy and difficult process.
Tonight’s Starke County Park Board meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Starke County Annex Building.
