Etna Green town council president seeks county help to spend dormant grant on paved loop and accessibility at Heritage Park

Heath Roberts, who identified himself as president of the Etna Green Town Council, presented a scoped design and contractor quotes for a new 8‑foot paved walking trail and a short T‑section to improve accessibility to the pavilion and parking at Heritage Park in Etna Green.

Why it matters: Roberts said the proposed loop would create a safer, ADA‑accessible route to park facilities and connect to the town sidewalk system; he told the board the work could help the community qualify for and leverage additional grants and expand local recreational options.

Roberts described the main loop as an 8‑foot paved path that would link to the existing sidewalk network and the park pavilion. "The little T section is at the bottom right there as far as that, which will provide handicap accessibility to the park pavilion," he said, adding he had solicited quotes from local contractors and that some fabrication work might be donated. Roberts estimated the full system would be "just under a half a mile" as drawn and said he expected the final built length to exceed a half‑mile once sidewalk tie‑ins were counted.

He told the board he has an $18,000 grant that must be spent by June or July and asked for help moving permits and identifying additional funding and procurement pathways. "I have another grant ... which is $18,000, but that grant has to be spent with this one, so I really have to get this project going," he said.

Roberts said the park does not have public restrooms open year‑round but that restrooms in the community building can be opened for events. He said he has coordinated with the local football program and other stakeholders about parking and season schedules.

Board members offered technical and procedural suggestions and noted procurement and contracting requirements for county work. A Parks board member reminded Roberts that county contracts must be with Kosciusko County rather than a town vendor if the county is to be the contracting party. The board offered to help identify grants, coordinate review of design standards and consider how county resources could support project permitting and planning.

Ending: Roberts said he would pursue permits and bring additional documents and cost estimates to staff, and board members offered to circulate regional funding sources and engineering contacts. The board did not take a formal vote on the item; the presentation was recorded as a request for staff follow‑up.