Debbie Blank

Assistant Editor

The Batesville Parks and Recreation Board is getting aggressive in efforts to establish a trail system. On March 18 it inked an agreement with Hannum, Wagle & Cline Engineering, Indianapolis, to prepare specific route maps and documents. The cost will not exceed $2,500.

Parks Commissioner Mike Baumer said he is hopeful the surfaces can be 12-feet-wide blacktop. “There are not many obstacles in the way" to connect the trails.

Mayor Rick Fledderman said the project could be broken up into six phases:

• Phase 1 – Brum Woods to Legion and Pohlman avenues, crossing Delaware Road to the soccer and future baseball complex

• Phase 2 _ Coonhunters Road from the soccer park north across State Road 46 and to Lammers Pike

• Phase 3 – Park Avenue south to the Girl Scout Woods

• Phase 4 – North through Brum Woods following sewer and water easements west of The Timbers, then east on County Line Road and north on Huntersville Road to Batesville High School. This is “by far the most difficult phase,” according to Baumer.

• Phase 5 – From Lammers Pike to the new industrial park on Merkel Road to Morris

• Phase 6 – Across State Road 46 and Interstate 74 to Oldenburg, “a very challenging” trail, Fledderman observed.

“There is potential money in the economic stimulus package for a project like this," which is why the board is moving ahead now. An application also can be made for an Indiana Department of Natural Resources grant, a very time consuming process.

Baumer pointed out it could be a long time before the project begins. “They're not going to be breaking ground tomorrow in front of anybody's house."

The commissioner reported on recent improvements at Liberty Park. Thanks to a Ripley County Community Foundation grant, Americans with Disabilities Act-approved pavilion restroom doors have been installed. They swing out instead of in.

Six speed bumps funded by a Rising Sun Regional Foundation grant have been added near the playground. “They will definitely slow down traffic in the park,” Baumer said.

Two therapeutic swings that persons with handicaps are able to enjoy “are used constantly,” he reported. Baumer proposed purchasing two more of these types for $1,180 with dollars from a playground equipment fund. Clerk-Treasurer Ron Weigel will research if dollars in that fund have stipulations. Baumer said the rather new playground for those with disabilities “definitely is being used and holding up very well.” On a recent Friday with nice weather, he noticed school buses and students in wheelchairs there.

Members decided seven gum trees along a southern baseball fence will be eventually removed and a tall oak tree there trimmed. A DNR expert also will be asked to assess the health of other Liberty Park trees.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.