[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6106451,"mediaKeyId","2781015-c701adb3aca6fba4a511e0b0e57bb322","parentId",2781015,"title","Parks staff give updates on trail, skate park, dugouts and pickleball repairs","audioSeconds",817,"startMs",1319000,"endMs",2136000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781015-c701adb3aca6fba4a511e0b0e57bb322&start=1319&end=2136","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781015-c701adb3aca6fba4a511e0b0e57bb322/thumbnail_1319000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106451/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Parks-staff-give-updates-on-trail-skate-park-dugouts-and-pickleball-repairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106451-4b5613f957f718e9a6d506987caba3c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776410755&Signature=iGhorrGK5r3H2111j-Zt0dFoqrzWJ6yrNeBjNKCUB4WXFqGePPmjRib4GpotlRmpXIxt6SE2uVOly9w4L~SCaPUdGYhEztC3t7xwBel5XtJ56UvTNt8X~bDWbiL~2MKiKwPiKr5jvyEqB2El5i15hxf8xYKHJjukHtrBT6fV0NGr9gNJb49A5u~h~hNRQK~S6cmedGqfMQcPGMcnhlhrr8cdkIZpfKMxSjUokWtax9JdUCYoGP-vgaFbgvNT2~Xhg9UwNgMKNTiITQeqaFoP8CrBFycyUoGZOuF0X-9ycu3jpwuoRy0xXc1vuhZRZOuD-PYaTd5cLg1h8dIVpK6nkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbia IN","date","2025-03-25T16:51:23Z","article","Parks staff updated the Columbus State Parks Board on multiple capital and maintenance projects, including a pedestrian trail expected to be complete by July, lights now installed at the new skate park, ongoing dugout reconstruction and warranty repairs to recently sealed pickleball courts.

Staff said the trail work is advancing rapidly: crews will construct a pedestrian crosswalk and a small refuge island on State Road 9 near the Dairy Barn and will install a pedestrian bridge segment; the bridge installation timeline is constrained by fish-spawning season and related DNR restrictions, so crews expect to set pre-built bridge components before the spring spawning window closes.

The new skate park’s light poles are installed and energized, and staff said the site is lit at night. Dugout work is underway: contractor Mike Rozier has completed at least one cinder-block dugout and will move to an additional field; the street department has agreed to help pour concrete to speed completion. Staff said roofs and fencing remain to be completed.

The city’s recently sealed pickleball courts developed bubbling in several spots. Staff said the courts carry a one-year warranty and the installer will return in May to repair or reseal affected areas; courts are expected to be taken out of service for roughly 72 hours during sealing work, though staff previously restricted access for up to five days to ensure curing.

Board members also noted coordination with nearby jurisdictions and the involvement of several local park departments in regional meetings to share best practices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Park Board Meeting 03242025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported progress on the city trail (target July completion), new skate-park lighting, dugout rebuilds and a warranty repair for bubbled pickleball court surfacing scheduled for May.","taxTitle","Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana","taxId",63763,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106455,"Board agrees to pursue relocating Korean and Vietnam memorials to Patriotic Park",231,1031000,1262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781015-c701adb3aca6fba4a511e0b0e57bb322&start=1031&end=1262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781015-c701adb3aca6fba4a511e0b0e57bb322/thumbnail_1031000.jpg","/articles/6106455/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Board-agrees-to-pursue-relocating-Korean-and-Vietnam-memorials-to-Patriotic-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106455-4914da73500be0ea6883e2ea00415608/orig.mp4?Expires=1776410755&Signature=FMTSW5f3IY0lRAj81TL3VcVD9wGboOusRZYeIMePEYOlvxARyKyZVJHjrH7iYu0iJ~MAv5cdfXilMmxYKG34zFtGdPhLDr6CkzPYuVOuCj2MXzyhh--0Muguw9P~3rAUJqMtEPGmC~ArlWRWftF0CRjS~Zeqb9IxXnuOcyN~D90YsGgwlZmCqOOExpq2lpgqunGqDRQOMlsqKD3eUwuTLBji-Anih-ruQdoequn6xyrIW50hyCSHL5UBCan~pLWHpid6h2mkHf~9gbprjmIuK1CaJKBpRf6iXbL0pUXz17-cEVa-goz2wCgPmvKaK9Ul2wgHrBn4NXZZaqi5gcqMEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members discussed deteriorating concrete memorials near a flagpole at Mortias and supported moving the markers to Patriotic Park, where existing engraved bricks and a veterans-focused setting would allow re-engraving and continued display.

Parks staff said Gary Byrd had identified the crumbling markers, and that Byrd had located a monument vendor who would produce new stone plaques and engravings. Staff said Byrd hoped to have the new stones installed at Patriotic Park by Memorial Day weekend if the board approved moving them and the vendor could proceed.

Board members said they saw no reason to oppose relocating the memorials; one member noted that moving the markers could also create options for reducing the number of flagpoles at the Mortias site, since flagpoles and lighting there are expensive to replace. The transcript records agreement and positive comments but does not show a formal, recorded roll-call vote on the relocation.

If staff proceeds, the plan is for Byrd to work with his monument vendor to engrave the new stone faces and coordinate installation at Patriotic Park.","Board members supported relocating two deteriorating memorials from a flagpole site to Patriotic Park and directed staff and a local advocate to proceed with arrangements; no formal vote was recorded in the transcript.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106459,"Parks board approves volunteer screening policy pending formal definition of “volunteer”",913,75000,988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781015-c701adb3aca6fba4a511e0b0e57bb322&start=75&end=988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781015-c701adb3aca6fba4a511e0b0e57bb322/thumbnail_75000.jpg","/articles/6106459/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Parks-board-approves-volunteer-screening-policy-pending-formal-definition-of-volunteer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106459-a6386c074f35d9c99290c1a46c925c98/orig.mp4?Expires=1776410755&Signature=fKNPBPewo-0kKpVWo-fCxCmjkP8TdTG5Lgtd8naKGsytjCIkC68Pw5bYSOvP1ZM4L1DDH-6ea5KVboaVNsoVfaleR1yhPVzPMokuCLSf0bPXSWQ6Hs9S00WbGFHQYfLcoCYVfYNnbOvgKy~1NDq3DIdycjRDPk4y5D5hZSsy4mC1g701eHW4euRYnUQFvt3ZpK4Nv4CEiY8rrUZr2s3E2w42ss-xYm3eFHSCZKglNRYOIwB3-9phwJbq8ydQY~KWqyFRGDWSWTLoCwBKEgixX8vBiqStXI9I7mxmBMQxrPl-4QMf7W~WaP1dJycxGl8Wvt3AiKASbX3AItZlN~ESJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbus State Parks Board voted to accept a draft policy requiring criminal-background screening and initial and annual abuse-prevention training for volunteers, contracted staff, pool staff and interns, but requested that staff return with a formal definition of “volunteer” before full implementation.

Board members said the policy is meant to tighten safeguards for minors and vulnerable adults who use park programs. Board member Karen Cody moved to approve the policy as written “once we define volunteer,” and Board member Mark Ellis seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote; those on record at roll call were Roger Farrell, Karen Cody, Mark Ellis and Matt Haydon.

Board discussion described the policy’s proposed steps: a written application, an interview, reference checks and a criminal-record background check performed by a vendor that conducts statewide checks, plus required initial and annual abuse-prevention training. Board members said coaches and some program partners already undergo background checks through youth-sports programs, but one-day volunteer groups and recurring community partners (for example, master gardeners or corporate “day of service” teams) raise questions about how broadly the policy should apply.

HR staff member Beth Igni provided the draft language, which was adapted from an existing city policy, and will take the board’s feedback to city counsel for review. Board members asked staff to clarify whether short-term groups that are on-site for a single day would be exempt or subject to a lighter-touch acknowledgement and whether contractors who supply umpires or other services would be required to provide evidence of screening from their organization.

Members cited practical limits in background-check databases that do not always return out-of-state records and asked staff to identify a vendor or procedure that reliably checks criminal records across states. The board directed staff to define “volunteer” (for example, by duration or by the nature of interaction with minors) and to return with the clarified language for final adoption; no implementation timeline was set in the meeting minutes.

The board’s action was procedural: approval to move forward with the draft policy pending the requested clarification and legal review.","The Columbus State Parks Board approved a policy package requiring screening and abuse-prevention training for volunteers and contracted staff, with implementation contingent on staff returning with a clear definition of “volunteer.” HR will seek legal review.","actionData","errors"]

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Parks staff give updates on trail, skate park, dugouts and pickleball repairs

Board agrees to pursue relocating Korean and Vietnam memorials to Patriotic Park

Parks board approves volunteer screening policy pending formal definition of “volunteer”