The Starke County Commissioners were asked to assist the San Pierre Parks and Recreation Society in a beautification project.
Representative Joanne Bailey asked for American Rescue Plan Act funds to help build a enclosed pavilion on Tierney Park.
“This would encompass a new building, the well, the septic, ADA bathrooms in there, and the furnishings,” explained Bailey. “It’s a 40-by-60 building. We figure that would be big enough there. There is an outdoor pavilion, but we would like to have another enclosed one that’s bigger than the one we’ve got at the Town Park.”
The building would accommodate those who would like to get married in the park or other type of community activities.
The request was for $125,000.
The San Pierre Spirit of Summer Festival is scheduled August 7 at the San Pierre Park, but Bailey said it would be moved to Tierney Park if it becomes a widely popular event. The proposed enclosed pavilion could be used during the event.
Bailey said the organization members want the park to be a functioning space and not a vacant lot.
Bailey continued, “We have been slowly, but surely revitalizing our town parks. We’ve got some new San Pierre Park signs that we put up, the bathrooms have been rejuvenated – so, we’re trying to do what we can do uplift our little town.”
The commissioners did not act on the request, as they will be meeting in the future to go over plans on how to spend $4.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. Auditor Rachel Oesterreich said the county has to allocate the funds by 2024 and spend it by 2026.
