The Starke County Park Board wants input from the public on a five-year parks and recreation plan. Continue reading
Starke Park Board Hires Consultant, Schedules Five-Year Plan Meeting
The Starke County Park Board hopes to have a five-year plan in place by mid-January. President Roger Chaffins told the county commissioners Monday they’ve enlisted the Troyer Group from Mishawaka to help with the process. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners to Discuss Funds for County Parks Plan
The president of the Starke County Park Board will discuss funding for a five-year plan with the county commissioners when they meet this evening. The commissioners previously agreed to allocate up to $15,000 for that purpose, as a five-year plan is a requirement for most grant funding. Continue reading
Bass Lake Beach Gazebo Repaired, Planning Continues for Other Improvements
Upgrades are continuing at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Assistant Manager Larry Clarich told the Starke County Park Board Tuesday that repairs to the gazebo are basically complete. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Meet with Two Firms Interested in Creating Five-Year Plan
The Starke County Park Board plans to meet with two planning firms interested in putting together a five-year plan for the county’s park facilities. The park board has been working with the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Edwin Buswell to find potential contractors. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Get Update on Five-Year Plan
The Starke County Park Board is expected to get an update on the creation of a five-year plan for the county’s park facilities. Having a plan in place would make the county eligible for grant funding from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Continue reading
Park Board Suspends Bass Lake Beach Gazebo Demolition Order
The gazebo at the Bass Lake Beach may be getting a new lease on life. The Starke County Park Board called for its demolition this past July, due to concerns that the structure was becoming a safety hazard, as well as a lack of funding to make repairs. Since then, however, members of the community have begun fundraising efforts in order to save the gazebo, organizing a raffle earlier this month to help raise money. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Seeks Consultants for Five-Year Plan
The Starke County Park Board is moving ahead with the process of finding a consultant to create a five-year plan for the county’s park facilities. A comprehensive plan is required before the county may receive grant funding from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Continue Discussions on Five-Year Plan, Bass Lake Beach
A five-year plan for Starke County’s parks will be discussed during tonight’s County Park Board meeting. Edwin Buswell with the Kankakee-Iroquios Regional Planning Commission is expected to provide some information on the process. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Gets Strategic Plan Seed Money
The Starke County Park Board will soon be able to move forward with the development of a strategic plan following action this week by the county commissioners. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Reevaluating Five-Year Plan
Efforts to create a five-year plan for Starke County park facilities have hit a bit of an obstacle. The Starke County Park Board had been discussing the possibility of getting a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to help pay for the planning process. But to qualify for the grant, the county would have to prove that residents’ incomes fall beneath a certain threshold. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Discusses Bass Lake Beach Improvements Amid Calls for Lessee’s Removal
The Starke County Park Board continues to monitor improvements at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Assistant Manager Larry Clarich told the park board Tuesday that improvements to the facility’s well have been completed. Continue reading
Beaver Tube Installed to Improve Drainage at Starke County Forest
The Starke County Park Board hopes that drainage issues at the County Forest have been resolved. During Tuesday’s meeting, it was reported that a “beaver tube” that the board previously approved has now been purchased and installed. Continue reading
Starke County to Seek Grant Funds for Park Plan
The Starke County Park Board is moving ahead with efforts to complete a five-year plan for the county’s park facilities. Before the county is able to get most types of grant funding for park projects, it’s required to have a comprehensive plan in place. Continue reading
Safety Upgrades Underway at Bass Lake Beach and Campground
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground is getting some upgrades, after an inspection from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management turned up a few violations. The property is owned by Starke County and leased to operator Richard Callahan. Continue reading
Park Board Officials Question Beach and Campground Improvements
The Starke County Park Board’s frustrations with Bass Lake Beach and Campground manager Richard Callahan are growing. They’ve asked county attorney Marty Lucas to attend their meeting this evening to answer questions about the difference between capital improvements and maintenance. Callahan’s lease with the county allows him to deduct capital improvements from his rent payments. However Park Board President Roger Chaffins recently told the county commissioners none of the work has been permitted or inspected and questioned whether it is safe for the public. Continue reading
Starke County to Review Bass Lake Beach Lease
Starke County’s lease-contract with Rich Callahan for operation of the Bass Lake Beach is expected to be fully reviewed soon for the County Park Board by the county’s attorney Martin Lucas and David Wallsmith, attorney for Mr. Callahan.Starke County Commissioners Defer Forest Discussion
Starke County Park Board members are encouraged to attend the next county drainage board meeting to discuss their concerns about the marsh in the Starke County Forest. Board member Debbie Mix told the commissioners park board members are looking at other sources of grant funds to cover the cost of constructing a bypass ditch along the south end of the property to alleviate drainage issues. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Defer Drainage Decision
The Starke County Commissioners have agreed to wait until after next week’s park board meeting to make a decision about drainage issues in the Starke County Forest. Continued beaver dam activity along the Anderson Ditch is causing drainage problems for neighboring landowners. Several sent a petition to Starke County Surveyor Dennis Estok and to the DNR requesting a solution to the problem. Continue reading
Park Board Notes Improvements at Bass Lake Beach
The progress of maintenance and capital improvements at the Bass Lake Beach were reviewed with lessee Richard Callahan when the Starke County Park Board convened last evening. Callahan was accompanied by his legal counsel, David Wallsmith. Callahan reported that 10 tons of sand and 10 tons of asphalt grindings has been spread to improve the grounds and that 45 picnic tables had been repaired. Continue reading
