Parks and recreation: Boyle County discusses fairgrounds clean-up, Millennium Park vision and approves trail social media outreach

Tommy Bart, director of Parks and Recreation, presented options for spring cleanup at the county fairgrounds and proposed surplusing a deteriorated wooden barn and a large pile of decorative boulders removed during earlier tennis-court work. Bart said the barnwood is "a lot of nice recycled wood" and suggested a bid process so private contractors or interested parties could remove and recycle the material.

Magistrates and city representatives discussed the idea of expanding and rebranding a shared area as part of an expanded Millennium Park, with the aim of consolidating ownership lines and jointly funding future improvements. Several magistrates asked staff to schedule a joint work session with city officials to explore ownership, funding and management of site elements, and the court agreed to do so.

On a separate parks-related motion, the court approved starting a Facebook and Instagram page for the Pine Knob Trail Park to publicize the project and generate local interest; the motion was moved and seconded, and the court carried it by voice vote. Parks staff also reported plans to paint two buildings used by baseball and 4-H and to coordinate with the city engineer on bleacher options for a proposed new fair site.

What happens next: County staff will arrange a joint working session with the city to discuss Millennium Park options, put certain surplus items out to bid as appropriate, and begin the Pine Knob Trail social-media presence once the parks team establishes the page.