Parks staff authorized to seek quotes for High Dive Park pond restoration

The Elkhart City Parks Department board on Sept. 16 authorized staff to request quotes for pond enhancements at High Dive Park, including landscaping, boulder work and erosion-control measures aimed at reducing erosion and supporting ecological restoration.

Jamieson Zernicki, superintendent, described the request as a solicitation for quotes rather than approval of a construction contract. "We wanna do some landscaping and boulder work, to increase the, decrease the erosion that's happening there and then the beautification process to amplify just the ecological restoration," Zernicki said.

Staff emphasized this action authorizes the next procurement step — soliciting competitive quotes — and does not award or contract the work. The board approved the request by voice vote and staff said they will return with quotes when received.

The project was discussed alongside other park maintenance and improvement updates, such as recently updated pathways at Hiday Park and planned fitness equipment installations at Island, McNaughton and Sterling parks. The board did not provide a budget figure at the meeting; funding sources and the expected project cost were not specified.

Staff listed a follow-up task to issue the request for quotes and report back when responses are received. No timeline for construction or contract award was established at the meeting.