[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6239070,"mediaKeyId","3339956-e1c4309ff5ba31bddfdecf36d0f512d0","parentId",3339956,"title","Franklin accepts 12.49-acre donation to expand Blue Heron Park","audioSeconds",470,"startMs",601000,"endMs",1071000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339956-e1c4309ff5ba31bddfdecf36d0f512d0&start=601&end=1071","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339956-e1c4309ff5ba31bddfdecf36d0f512d0/thumbnail_601000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6239070/Franklin-City/Johnson-County/Indiana/Franklin-accepts-1249-acre-donation-to-expand-Blue-Heron-Park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239070-364be3a39fad04cd612ef71807edc8fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229269&Signature=hCpizf0EjWfzeyfLCZEe1krAPeGA9EAYWwLQfrisF3yIcXlgMGzgHNSNGz1okgTono89E8rzzNkmobXrO50XJvNgzaHVA0QEEk-mZyP2IaXPAYtbUoO9Hm5gcL0idTTNB5ZsXVKdKz-2MHdpBGJ5J6okzRgL4Bh2~TS-Vx8Kej0kGvW7Eh~Ve87knu5cqC6Ap6rD73KehneM4w-xiK~cUrSrhynOKbNQQpMz3acSMBsxISbMxBdu9vLlIndXN7Detgtli5vpD5TEUzh3h4WZmYZVR3-w4~wzwsYT41ACQDt~zc96suPfzcVJVTPSB44zTHQ8kBBWb1bJ5ZGY-2tz6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-16T08:29:42Z","article","The Franklin City Park Board voted May 15 to accept a donation of about 12.49 acres of land adjacent to Blue Heron Park, a move staff said would expand the park to roughly 100 acres and preserve green space that otherwise might be developed.

Parks staff said the parcel is largely wooded, was previously farmland that has grown into mature trees, and is adjacent to an existing back loop of Blue Heron Park. Staff described limited access to the parcel: it dead-ends behind a subdivision road and cannot be accessed directly from the existing park without traversing terrain.

“The developer wants to donate this 12 it's about 12 and a half acres to us,” the Parks and Recreation Director said, adding that the parcel is adjacent to Blue Heron Park. Staff said the city does not plan to develop the land during the current board’s tenure and noted the primary near-term benefit would be preserved open space; accepting the parcel would give the city control over how the land is used and managed.

Board members raised questions about liability and maintenance; staff said the city would not plan to mow or actively maintain the parcel immediately and that accepting it could provide the city the option to manage unauthorized camping or other uses.

Staff noted prior park expansions involving adjacent parcels used by Franklin College for biology classes and earlier purchases that secured trail rights near the creek. The board voted by voice to approve pursuing and accepting the donation; Chair (unnamed) moved the motion and a board member seconded.

Staff will pursue the transfer process and return to the board in the next one or two meetings with details about how the donation will be conveyed and any conditions associated with it.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Park Board Meeting (May 15th, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The Park Board approved accepting about 12.49 acres adjacent to Blue Heron Park, which would bring the park close to 100 acres; staff said the land is largely wooded, has limited access, and likely will be preserved rather than developed in the near term.","taxTitle","Franklin City, Johnson County, Indiana","taxId",52742,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6239075,"Franklin approves access control and camera system for Active Adult Center; center nearing completion",122,464000,586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339956-e1c4309ff5ba31bddfdecf36d0f512d0&start=464&end=586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339956-e1c4309ff5ba31bddfdecf36d0f512d0/thumbnail_464000.jpg","/articles/6239075/Franklin-City/Johnson-County/Indiana/Franklin-approves-access-control-and-camera-system-for-Active-Adult-Center-center-nearing-completion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239075-e061d06761889e34685d93e81bb4ec09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229269&Signature=SuDe3-YhoTwueY3xuRFdgQDM-Ujgs5iqf5rxj8qMs3-aQVOag0FIuaDOdEjIU3eNlZN4UZV--0DwJ39cPYR~FmIs3LjLc31d~xSE7yxK29DnFFOvwUBBeXKqkiYGP3ZZzap9bT~-568MPgPkFnhMsBqPDC2VnQ1JYxwKruSzukMFsybIz357c1XZEHzhtVSUjM5x0IwNNM~YwOS9koZJ6Dn7uSEhSLyDnbFgCxUUlDt7XJ6TjdIOn01wmPAyQ85ZYrM6im6wIjSTPtXF-issckftP7xZjLTKQvqBgyYCn3cnoXwB9pYmHrUGcOD0h4zrEZcRfIoTBxtOiDguKaPaig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin City Park Board on May 15 approved a security and access-control proposal for the Franklin Active Adult Center, awarding a contract to the city’s regular vendor for roughly $37,000 — under the $39,000 budget line — and heard a progress update that the facility is nearing completion.

Parks and Recreation Director (staff) described a two-part proposal: coded access control (electronic codes for after-hours building access and daily event rentals) and a surveillance system covering interior and exterior areas, including the playground. The director said the Police Department will have remote access to the cameras so officers can view live feeds from their laptops if needed.

“This is the proposal for the security cameras inside the building and outside the building,” the director said. “What’s nice is... the police department can access these cameras.” She also said, “I believe the total is about $37,000 and we budgeted 39, so it’s a little bit under.”

The board voted by voice to approve the contract; the director moved the motion and a board member seconded. The director said the company, Security Pros, is the same firm that maintains cameras elsewhere in the city’s parks.

In department reports, staff said the Active Adult Center parking lot had final paving work the day of the meeting and the interior of the building was about 95% complete. Theater lighting installation was delayed and might not arrive until mid‑June, staff said. Furniture and appliances have been ordered, and a separate contract will replace sidewalks around the facility.

Staff also reported that pickleball lighting poles were installed that day and that a ribbon-cutting for the pickleball courts is likely before the end of the month; staff offered board members a tour of the Active Adult Center while finishing work continues.

The board heard additional financial context in department reports: the Kickapoo summer program is projected to generate just under $300,000 in revenue, while amphitheater sponsorships have declined from prior years; staff said sponsorships still cover costs but margins have tightened. No board action was taken on those financial items at this meeting.

The security contract was approved; staff will complete installation and coordinate Police Department access once cameras and access controls are active.","Park Board approved a roughly $37,000 contract for access control and surveillance at the Franklin Active Adult Center and received an update that the building is about 95% complete, with final paving done and some lighting delayed until mid-June.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6239080,"Franklin Park Board selects Sinclair to supply Payne Park playground",228,234000,462000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339956-e1c4309ff5ba31bddfdecf36d0f512d0&start=234&end=462","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339956-e1c4309ff5ba31bddfdecf36d0f512d0/thumbnail_234000.jpg","/articles/6239080/Franklin-City/Johnson-County/Indiana/Franklin-Park-Board-selects-Sinclair-to-supply-Payne-Park-playground","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239080-7c17dfb8f6ddb51b720a24679a9829ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771229269&Signature=LYf0JN~cF~UXUHUBNQ769cYkHOBTjpHbGKGuNJFmQEtzEpBG8U~yne1~8R1dUeVrCZ9U8cSPywYiHM6nVR7ivcFvJUuUQlR5tCkfvJ5q8IymMzwYip6aMrqSJ-jjbiLzGle2Ct~JssUmYA-Vp-Z3U237zAIeTEpcusoU-Xhl8S-MYMqFDfGtVD9l78vlpHaXzIJC4J6bKWz-uzcyAW5zq38cNWE3w33zEWC9Gee0JZ8Hs3tqV3H7kDnENFiNBNXyth063pcYvXf8Tj6xUwQhvQJFBPyX9l~mfKLvqFd5xR4X5uPujfA~jcSTKeBVWN4p0zJRoiG4t7m7-8mv6jv1tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin City Park Board voted May 15 to select Sinclair as the vendor to supply and adapt new playground equipment for Payne Park, directing staff to narrow choices and return with a rendering for final approval.

Board members said the choice follows a review of eight design options and community input, including requests that the playground include swings and equipment adaptable for children with special needs. Parks staff said they will work with Sinclair to incorporate neighbor preferences and accessibility features before presenting a final plan at a future meeting.

Parks and Recreation Director (staff) said the board had reviewed eight playground options and that she had found additional equipment lines, including an “Adventus” line marketed as adaptable for children with special needs. She told the board she had asked the Sinclair representative for photos and prices and mentioned a new “spinner” device described as safer than older merry-go-round-style equipment.

A neighbor’s preference for swing sets was raised during the discussion; board members and staff said that would be an easy addition if it is sourced from the same manufacturer. The director said the board’s first step was to narrow vendor choices to the top three and then work out layout and land requirements with the selected company.

Chair (unnamed) moved to select Sinclair; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Staff said the board will receive a consolidated rendering and final proposal at the next meeting and may schedule a site visit to check the area and confirm the amount of land required for the chosen layout.

Payne Park is adjacent to residences, and board members emphasized accommodating both younger and older children and considering accessible equipment that can serve older or adult users too.

The board did not set a construction date at the meeting; staff will return with cost estimates, a rendering and any funding details for the board’s approval.","Franklin City Park Board voted May 15 to select Sinclair as the vendor for new playground equipment at Payne Park, narrowing eight options and asking staff to return with a rendering and final details.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Franklin accepts 12.49-acre donation to expand Blue Heron Park

Franklin approves access control and camera system for Active Adult Center; center nearing completion

Franklin Park Board selects Sinclair to supply Payne Park playground