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Whitestown parks director outlines Rex Park plan; no funding request yet
Summary
Assistant town manager and parks director Dominic Cornett presented a community-informed design for a new 12–14‑acre Rex Park within the rec site, listing amenities, an estimated $6–8 million cost range and a target to break ground late this year and open in spring 2026; no funding action was requested at the RDC meeting.
Dominic Cornett, assistant town manager and parks director for the Town of Whitestown, presented the design and community engagement summary for the planned Rex Park at the town’s rec site.
Cornett said the design work is under contract with JQLO and that the town completed multiple community engagement meetings to shape amenities. The plan for the southwest corner of the rec site calls for playgrounds, shelters, pickleball and basketball courts, a splash pad, pavilions, an amphitheater and pathways; Cornett said the park footprint would take “approximately 10 to 14 acres” of the rec property.
On funding and timing, Cornett said the town is “looking at some creative ways to fund it” with Kron Associates’ assistance but was “not asking for any funding, maybe yet.” He said the town had discussed combining common green space with an adjoining YMCA or other facility and that the design team aimed to keep a landscape buffer between the park and adjacent homes; the amphitheater would be oriented to minimize sound impacts on neighbors.
Asked about schedule, Cornett said the town hoped to break ground at the end of December and open the park in spring 2026. On cost he estimated a planning-level range of $6 million to $8 million but said final pricing was not yet available; Cornett also said the park design and renderings are on the town’s parks website.
Commissioners and neighbors asked about maintenance buildings, pedestrian connections to Little League fields and ingress from nearby housing. Cornett said maintenance equipment would likely be kept at the new town maintenance facility just south of the park site and that town staff were considering pedestrian crossings and roundabouts as on-site development proceeds.
No vote was required; commissioners and residents expressed support and appreciation for the outreach and design work.
