Pool is a priority in Valparaiso parks plan
A draft of a five-year plan for the Valparaiso Parks Department includes a pool or aquatic center, a proposed dog park and the possibility of expanding to cover Center Township, which now relies on the county's parks department.
The draft was presented last week to about 15 people.
“This is more a directional piece,” said John Seibert, parks director, with the goal of being on the right track of what residents want. More specifics will be in the final draft, which the parks staff and consultants will present to the parks board at a Dec. 20 meeting.
Through research, community meetings and two surveys, it was found that an aging population wants more multigenerational activities, more outdoor activities, nature and hiking and biking trails, and a nature center, said Austin Hochstettler of Pros Consulting of Indianapolis.
Ninety percent want a pool, he said, while interest in special events decreased even as attendance at events increased 16 percent.
Seibert said Kirchhoff Park, Rogers-Lakewood Park and the horticultural center are in line for makeovers and would be the first facilities to have individual plans.
Suggestions from the audience included allowing bow hunting for deer on empty parks land, buying abandoned sites and not infringing on programs provided by Valparaiso University or the schools.
The parks department will seek more public/private partnerships and make use of the standalone school gyms being built to save money, Seibert said, and will keep an eye on available land, starting with the south side and followed by the west, east and north.
Besides partnerships, the department will look for ways to generate revenue to maintain existing parks, a concern revealed in surveys. But residents won't see a recreation fee attached to their tax or utility bills, Seibert said. The only fee that can be charged is that imposed on new developments for projected population increases and that can only be used for new parks.
For Valparaiso's series of hiking and biking trails, the consultants identified three loops, one in the center of the city, one on the east side and one on the west side. Consulting engineer Adam Higgins of SEH of Indiana said the city needs to put paths into the neighborhoods and look to connect to outside networks, such as the planned Kankakee-Dunes trail along Indiana 49.
The consultants recommended improved trail identification and going forward with plans for trailheads with parking, restrooms and kiosks.
Seibert said Valparaiso University students surveyed weren't aware a trail passed by their school. The department would likely put trailheads where amenities already exist, such as Foundation Meadows Park, Central Park and Valplayso, he said.
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