Potential upgrades to the Bass Lake Beach will be discussed during tonight’s Starke County Park Board meeting. According to the advance agenda, board members will discuss a grant received for the beach project. The park board has been working on plans to restore the sand, and install glacial stone to prevent future erosion, as well as damage to the seawall.
Starke County Park Board Reorganizes for 2018
The Starke County Park Board has switched presidents. Roger Chaffins was elected board president for 2018, during last week’s meeting. He was nominated by board member Rosemary Rose. She said she thought he did a great job when he served as president in 2016.
Starke County Forest Hunting Rules Questioned by County Park Board Member
Who’s allowed to hunt in the Starke County Forest and who gets to make that decision were topics of discussion during last week’s County Park Board meeting. Forester Bruce Wakeland previously told board members that he typically rents the forest to a group of hunters each year over the Thanksgiving weekend. It’s to help control the deer population, but also to raise a few hundred dollars for the forest.
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 Continue Discussing Plans for Bass Lake Beach and Campground
The future of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground will continue to be discussed during tonight’s Starke County Park Board meeting. The operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, plans to keep leasing it from the county through April of 2028. But the company said it may be willing to give the beach itself back to the county, while it would continue to run the more profitable campground and pier slots.
Park Board Gets Update on Starke County Forest
The Starke County Forest is starting to build up some savings. It’s designed to be a self-sufficient park facility, with timber sales being the main funding source. Forester Bruce Wakeland told the Starke County Park Board Tuesday that the forest will soon have enough money on hand to start looking at some improvement projects.
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.
Starke County Park Board Looking to Replace Bass Lake Beach Gatehouse, Following Accident
The Starke County Park Board may be looking at replacing one of the structures at the Bass Lake Beach, after it was seriously damaged in an accident last month. Park board member Roger Chaffins explains that a pickup truck apparently backed itself into the gatehouse, “The guy was deer hunting over there, had a new vehicle, didn’t realize that he didn’t have it fully in park, and the vehicle ran over him and then ran into the building.”
Starke County Park Board to Get Updates on Bass Lake Beach, Koontz Lake Lions Club Park
The Starke County Park Board is expected to continue discussing several ongoing issues when it meets tonight. One of those is the proposed county ownership of Koontz Lake Lions Club Memorial Park. Lions Club members say they plan to continue maintaining the park as long as they can, but transferring ownership to Starke County would save them the cost of insurance.
Northern Wood Products Offers $8,500 for Starke County Forest Timber
Bass Lake Beach Operator Considers Giving Part of Beach Back to County, As Lease Renewal Proceeds
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground will continue to be operated by Callahan Development, LLC for another 10 years, but the company may be willing to turn some of the property back over to Starke County. The county owns the facility, but has leased it to Callahan since 2008. Now, Callahan has given the county written notice that it will exercise its option to renew the lease through April of 2028.
Starke County Park Board May Consider Taking Ownership of Koontz Lake Lions Club Park
Koontz Lake Lions Club Memorial Park could soon be under county ownership. The Lions Club bought the site in the 1970s and has been running it as a park ever since. But with declining membership, club member Van Janovic approached the Starke County Park Board Tuesday to discuss the possibility of gradually handing the park over to the county. Continue reading
Bass Lake Beach Operator Agrees to Concrete Repairs, Asks County to Install Glacial Stone
The operators of the Bass Lake Beach have agreed to make some repairs to the property’s seawall, but they’re asking for the county’s help with some related work. The Starke County Park Board has asked the operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, to stabilize the seawall surrounding the beach house patio.
Starke County Park Board to Discuss Bass Lake Beach Maintenance, Open Timber Bids
Upgrades to the Bass Lake Beach seawall will continue to be discussed during tonight’s Starke County Park Board meeting. Board members are calling on facility operator Callahan Development, LLC to stabilize the seawall surrounding the beach house patio. Representatives from the county discussed the issue with Callahan’s attorney last month, and the entire board is expected to get an update tonight.
