The Starke County Park Board has gotten a free year of membership to the Indiana Park & Recreation Association. Purdue Extension community wellness coordinator and former park board member Debbie Mix discussed the opportunity during last month’s regular board meeting.
“It is a grant that the state actually provided for Starke County because it was listed as one of the 10 counties that they wanted to target for park boards,” Mix explained. “And I will honestly tell you, I’m very pleased to say that out of those 10, Starke County is the one that is the furthest along in anything.”
Mix said the association provides networking opportunities, an annual conference, and other resources. Board members felt membership would be especially helpful, now that there will be a full-time park superintendent to take advantage of it.
Meanwhile, programs related to the American Rescue Plan could also mean significant grant opportunities for the park board. Board Member Kathy Norem wanted to explore the possibility of federal tourism grant funding to renovate or replace the Bass Lake Beach House. “The application deadline’s March 15, and if there’s the opportunity for $1 million for that Beach House, we need to snag that as fast as we can,” Norem said.
Mary Perren with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation said funding could also be available through the state’s new HELP program, but that would require a significant local investment from the county.
