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Logansport board oks DNR cost-share to seed 10 acres at Houston Park
Summary
The board approved a cost-share agreement with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to establish native grasses and wildflowers on roughly 10 acres in Houston Park; the project will be implemented over three years and requires up-front spending by the parks department with later reimbursement.
Logansport Parks and Recreation staff told the board on March 12 that the department will enter a cost-share agreement with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to restore about 10 acres in the southeast corner of Houston Park to native grasses and wildflowers.
Nut graf: The board approved entering the agreement but staff said the parks department must spend project costs up front and be reimbursed later by DNR, so the department will need either Board of Works authorization to front funds or use existing nonreverting beautification funds.
Details and scope
Staff described the DNR contribution as approximately $300 per acre for seed plus about $50 per acre for herbicide — roughly $350 per acre — for the 10-acre parcel, or about $3,500 in seed/herbicide costs. The full project estimate presented to the board, including labor and multi-year site work, was $25,007.20 over a three-year establishment period. Staff said the work will begin with herbicide to remove invasives and that seeding is most effective when spread in winter conditions, with snow helping seed-to-soil contact.
Administrative steps and funding
Staff said the parks department is the applicant and the City of Logansport is landowner; Board of Works approval is required to finalize the agreement. Under the terms described, DNR will reimburse the city after the department spends the project funds; staff is considering using nonreverting beautification funds to front the cost or asking counsel for authority to advance money.
Board discussion
Board members asked questions about the schedule, maintenance and the proposed plant list; staff said a three-year establishment and maintenance schedule was provided and that the department has coordinated with the fire department on prescribed burning or similar site-management steps. Staff noted uncertainty about additional federal support previously discussed but not confirmed.
Next steps
The board approved the cost-share agreement by voice vote. Staff will seek Board of Works signoff, finalize the funding plan for fronting costs, and return with implementation details and a maintenance schedule.
