Explore Evansville presents Millersburg cross-country study and 5-year Burdette Park master plan

Tom White, president and CEO of Explore Evansville, and Luke Kessler, project manager for American StructurePoint, presented findings from two connected studies: a feasibility/design study for a potential NCAA‑level cross‑country course and a master plan for Burdette Park. Zach Wathan, Burdette Park director, summarized the park plan’s priority projects.

Why it matters: The studies outline options for sports‑tourism development and capital improvements that could affect county land use, capital budgets, grant applications, and local tourism revenue. Explore Evansville said the studies were paid from tourism capital improvement funds and were intended to inform decisions, not to seek approval for construction at this meeting.

Cross-country study (Millersburg property) - Purpose and funding: Explore Evansville used tourism capital improvement funds to pay for the study; American StructurePoint performed the work. - Site context: The Millersburg property is largely undeveloped and partly within a floodplain; it is adjacent to existing sports facilities but separated by a creek that would require a bridge (consultant estimated a bridge could cost in excess of $1 million). - Course type and standards: The study reviewed…