Starke County now has a park superintendent. Marc Vendl was appointed to the position during a special county park board meeting Thursday. The park board says Vendl previously served as the park administrator for the City of Logansport and also spent many years managing campgrounds and beaches in Texas.
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The Starke County Park Board will consider the hiring of a park superintendent during a special meeting tonight. While the position was envisioned at the park board’s establishment in 2014, it was never actually filled, since the board didn’t get dedicated county funding until this year.
Continue readingThe Bass Lake Beach and Campground will continue to be discussed during tonight’s Starke County Park Board meeting. The park board took direct control of the property earlier this year, following the death of lessee Richard Callahan.
Continue readingA Bass Lake Beach and Campground inventory report will be presented to the Starke County Park Board tonight. The park board took direct control of the property earlier this year, following the death of lessee Richard Callahan. But figuring out who actually owns various pieces of equipment at the property and who’s entitled to a sizeable chunk of the campground revenues has proven to be a challenge.
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Cross-country skiing could make the Starke County Forest a year-round destination. That’s the hope of Forester Bruce Wakeland.
Continue readingIt’ll soon be easier to leave the car at home when visiting the Starke County Forest. A new bike rack was set to be delivered last month, according to Forester Bruce Wakeland.
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Yellow River kayak launches, more parking improvements at the Starke County Forest, and unified signage are a few of the projects the Starke County Park Board is hoping to tackle in the coming months.
Continue readingVisitors to the Starke County Forest will soon be greeted with an informational kiosk. The Starke County Park Board last week agreed to let Forester Bruce Wakeland build it out of wood from the forest itself.
Continue readingThe Starke County Park Board is expected to review some of the items in its five-year plan tonight. County Commissioner Kathy Norem has been pushing for county funding in next year’s budget, to help the park board complete some of the projects called for in the 2017 plan.
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The Starke County Park Board could get dedicated funding from the county, under a proposal from County Commissioner Kathy Norem. Until now, the park board’s revenue sources have been limited to grants, donations, and Starke County Forest timber sales, but no regular budget from the county.
Continue readingThe Starke County Park Board will continue discussing plans for a new website tonight. Last month, board members approved a quote to set up a website to share information on the Starke County Forest, the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, and the new Veterans Memorial, among other facilities.
Continue readingStarke County’s park facilities will soon have their own website. The county park board recently approved a $3,500 quote from Martin Services for the setup.
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The Starke County Commissioners voted Monday morning to extend restrictions at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground and at the Starke County Forest.
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A county-wide art installation, more amenities at the Starke County Forest, and a relocated shelter at Wythogan Park were a few of the ideas Starke County residents had, when it comes to figuring out how Constellation of Starke should spend its $333,000. That’s the money the region was awarded by the state for being a finalist in last year’s Stellar Communities Designation Program.
Continue readingThe Starke County Park Board is taking steps to control invasive plants at the Starke County Forest. Last week, board members agreed to let Forester Bruce Wakeland start seeking estimates for the work.
Continue readingIt may soon be easier for visitors to find and learn about the Starke County Forest. During Tuesday’s Starke County Park Board meeting, Forester Bruce Wakeland pointed out that signage to help motorists find the forest from local highways was supposed to be installed as part of last year’s parking lot project.
Continue readingThe Starke County Forest is responding well to a recent timber harvest. Forester Bruce Wakeland told the Starke County Park Board last week there’s been a good amount of natural regeneration, according to County Attorney Marty Lucas. That’s preferable to planting new trees, when it comes to the forest’s management.
Continue readingAn ongoing saga at the Starke County Forest was recently brought to the attention of Park Board President Richard Ballard. “The beavers are back,” Ballard told the rest of the Starke County Park Board Tuesday. “I don’t know exactly what that means for us, but he said the beavers are back.”
Continue readingThe Starke County Park Board welcomed two new members Tuesday. Attorney Richard Ballard was appointed to the board by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall, following the resignation of Roger Chaffins. Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler had been appointed by the county council back in January, replacing Debbie Mix. Ballard and Ritzler both took their seats on the park board for the first time Tuesday, during the board’s first official meeting since last September.
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Starke County officials hope that recent upgrades to the County Forest will help attract new visitors. County Park Board members and Community Foundation representatives joined Forester Bruce Wakeland, Commissioner Kathy Norem, and several others Wednesday afternoon, to cut the ribbon on the forest’s upgraded access road.
