Explore Evansville presents cross‑country study and 163‑page Burdette Park master plan; costs, flood‑plain and usage concerns raised

Explore Evansville and consultants presented a two‑part study to the Vanderburgh County Commission assessing (1) a possible NCAA‑level cross‑country course on the Millersburg property and (2) a 163‑page master plan for Burdette Park. Explore Evansville President and CEO Tom White and Luke Kessler, project manager for American Structure Point, led the cross‑country portion; Zach Waltham, Burdette Park director, summarized the park master plan. No funding request for construction was made during the presentation; the studies were paid for from tourism capital improvement funds that required Explore Evansville board and county council approval.

Cross‑country study findings: Tom White said the goal is an NCAA‑level, national course to attract overnight sports tourism. The report identifies required design elements (for example a 600‑meter straightaway start) and describes turf‑grass courses similar to the former Angel Mounds site. Luke Kessler explained…