The Starke County Forest’s access trail will soon be upgraded to a gravel road, but what it should be called is up for debate. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Approves Rent Increase on Bass Lake Beach and Campground
Starke County is raising the rent on the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. The Starke County Park Board voted Tuesday to increase Callahan Development, LLC’s rent payment by eight percent, the maximum allowed by the lease agreement.
Officers to Cite State Statute Regarding Loose Dogs
Starke County Park Board Denied Operation Round Up Grant for Bass Lake Beach Improvements
As the Starke County Park Board works to raise the necessary funds for improvements to the Bass Lake Beach, another one of its grant applications has come up short.
Starke County Forest Access Improvement Work to Begin Soon
Work is expected to start soon on a new road and parking lot at the Starke County Forest. County Attorney Marty Lucas says an update on the project was given to the Starke County Park Board this week. “The project was delayed a little bit due to the flooding has kept Highway Superintendent [Rik] Ritzler very busy,” Lucas says, “and we hope to get that moving in the next few days.”
Bass Lake Beach Gate House Insurance Settlement Finalized
Repairs to the Bass Lake Beach gate house will soon be able to move ahead. The structure was seriously damaged when a pickup truck reportedly crashed into it back in November.
Starke County Park Board to Decide on Rent Increase for Bass Lake Beach and Campground Operator
The Starke County Park Board is looking to raise the rent on the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, but how exactly that will take place still has to be determined. Callahan Development, LLC’s lease on the property was discussed during Tuesday’s park board meeting. While the original 10-year lease period is up at the end of the month, the company has exercised an option to renew it for another 10 years.
Starke County Park Board Discusses Rent Increase, Clarifications to Bass Lake Beach Lease
Members of the Starke County Park Board continue to call for clarifications to the Bass Lake Beach and Campground lease, and that could mean a rent increase for Callahan Development, LLC.
Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum May Consider Leasing Erie Trail to Starke County
Bringing the North Judson Erie Trail under Starke County’s control is something the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum might be willing to consider. The museum owns the trail, but Starke County’s five-year park plan suggests that the county lease it and operate it as a park facility. Starke County Park Board President Roger Chaffins said Tuesday that he spoke with the museum’s president, Cory Bennett, and Bennett seemed open to resuming discussions.
Starke County Community Foundation Presents $20,000 in Grants to Starke County Park Board
The Starke County Forest will get $15,000 worth of improvements this spring, thanks to a grant from the Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund. The funding was formally presented to the Starke County Park Board Tuesday by Starke County Community Foundation Director of Development Sarah Origer and Northern Indiana Community Foundation Executive Director Jay Albright.
Starke County Park Board Continues to Discuss Erie Trail Lease with Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum
The Prairie Trails Club says it’s ready to make improvements to the North Judson Erie Trail, but it might be easier to do if Starke County were formally involved. The trail is owned by the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, but Starke County’s five-year park plan suggests that the county lease it and operate it as a park facility.
Starke County Park Board Seeking Grant Funding for Forest Access Project
The Starke County Forest may soon get some parking upgrades. The county park board is applying for a grant from the Hardesty Memorial Foundation Fund at the Starke County Community Foundation to help improve access to the forest.
Starke County Park Board Seeks Larger Compensation Offer for Bass Lake Beach Gate House Damage
The replacement of the Bass Lake Beach gate house may require some more negotiation. The structure was seriously damaged when a pickup truck reportedly crashed into it back in November.
Starke County Park Board Still Waiting for Concrete Repairs at Bass Lake Beach
A lack of action on concrete repairs at the Bass Lake Beach is drawing concerns from some Starke County Park Board members. Back in August, board members asked the operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, to repair the seawall surrounding the beach house patio and install glacial stone to help protect it from incoming waves.
Starke County Park Board Member Pushing for More Winter Recreation Activities at County Forest
The Starke County Forest may soon offer more winter recreation activities. That’s the hope of Starke County Park Board member Chris Lawrence.
Starke County Park Board Considers Grant Opportunities
The Bass Lake Beach and Starke County Forest would stand to benefit from some grant opportunities being explored by the Starke County Park Board. A few funding sources were discussed during Tuesday’s meeting.
Bass Lake Beach Gate House Replacement Discussed by Starke County Park Board
The Starke County Park Board is moving forward with the replacement of the gate house at the Bass Lake Beach. The structure was seriously damaged when a pickup truck reportedly crashed into it back in November. Starke County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson believes the accident, along with wood rot and the settling of concrete, has left the building unsafe.
Starke County Park Board Seeks Proposals for Bass Lake Beach Operations
Ideas for operating the Bass Lake Beach are being sought by the Starke County Park Board. Board members decided Tuesday to issue a request for proposals from businesses or individuals interested in managing the beach area, the beach house, or both.
Starke County Park Board to Take Koontz Lake Lions Club Park Proposal to County Commissioners
The idea of Starke County taking ownership of Koontz Lake Lions Club Memorial Park will soon be brought to the county commissioners. Lions Club members say they plan to continue maintaining the park as long as they can, but transferring ownership to the county would save them the cost of insurance.
Starke County Park Board Considers Splitting Up Bass Lake Beach and Campground Operations
Potential changes to the Bass Lake Beach and campground’s operations were discussed by the Starke County Park Board Tuesday. Operator Callahan Development, LLC plans to extend its lease with the county through April of 2028. But the company said it’s willing to consider turning over the less profitable areas of the facility back to the county, while it would continue to run the campground and pier slots.
