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Parks board outlines Roberts Park overhaul and River's Edge construction plans
Summary
At its March 30 meeting the Parks and Recreation Board shared detailed designs for Roberts Park and updates from the March 28 River's Edge groundbreaking, including a new inclusive playground, skate and pump tracks, expanded parking and a roughly 2-mile loop trail; staff said some memorial trees will be removed and replanted after construction.
The Parks and Recreation Board detailed major changes coming to Roberts Park and offered an update on River's Edge at its March 30 meeting.
Marla, who presented slide renderings previously shown to city council and at the River's Edge groundbreaking on March 28, said the current phase of work is nearly finished and that the projects will rearrange play and sports space to centralize family amenities. “We are almost at 90% of our phase being built out,” Marla said, and described a plan that places a new playground in the middle of three baseball fields, adds parking around the complex, refurbishes the concession stand and restrooms and installs ADA seating at the amphitheater after a DNR request.
Why it matters: the redesign aims to make multiple fields and play areas easier for families to use together, while adding amenities intended to reduce weather-related cancellations (turf infields) and improve accessibility. The department said turf will be used for infields while outfields will remain grass, and that the turf installation is intended to reduce rainouts and maintenance.
Board members raised several practical concerns. One member asked, “Do we have a a better way of watering that?” noting past problems keeping seeded areas alive; Marla said the site currently lacks adequate irrigation and that turf infields will reduce some watering needs. The department also noted that trail work depends on approvals from Duke Energy, the railroad and INDOT, and that the scope of lighting depends on whether a pending grant is awarded. Marla said the department plans to install cameras and prioritize lighting for the playground and skate park but that continuous trail lighting is not part of the present funding package.
Other highlights from the presentation included a pump track and skate park connected to the playground, a sensory area, toddler zones and an "all-inclusive" play structure (the Volo Air) the presenter said is likely the first of its kind in the state. The perimeter loop trail is slated to be about two miles long and will require some disc-golf relocation to accommodate the new alignment.
The department said some memorial trees must be removed for construction but that staff contacted families when contacts were available and intends to replant new trees roughly a year after construction is complete. Staff also thanked a volunteer who recently power-washed the pickleball courts.
Next steps: staff will continue seeking required approvals and — if the lighting grant is awarded — will specify the extent and timing of lighting installations. Marla said the playground groundbreaking is hoped for in May or June and that more detailed 3-D renderings will be shared as the schedule firms up.
