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Hancock County five-year parks master plan approved by state, board readies LWCF and trails grant work
Summary
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources approved Hancock County’s five-year parks master plan, making the county eligible for state and federal grants including the Land and Water Conservation Fund; the board discussed land-acquisition options and set application timing. The Nine Star Park trail and public-art installation were also updated.
The Hancock County Parks and Recreation Board reported that the county’s five-year master plan has received official approval from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, a milestone that makes the county eligible for state and federal grant programs, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
“This is a major milestone,” said Miriam Ralls, who led the meeting. “This approved plan is our road map for the next 5 years.” Ralls said the board plans to pursue LWCF funding as early as August and will partner with the county highway department on applications.
Why it matters: LWCF and other competitive grants can fund land acquisition, trail development and park improvements that the county said will preserve green space and expand recreational access. The board reviewed options for acquiring property, including conservation easements, life estates, fee-simple purchases and partial donations, and invited landowners interested in conserving sensitive or historic parcels to contact staff.
Key details discussed: Ralls told the board that LWCF grants operate as matching awards — typically a 50/50 match — with minimum projects of about $250,000 and awards that can scale up to $2 million. She also said the state’s process generally limits applications to one property per application and that a pre-application interview with DNR is required before June 30 for the current cycle.
The board noted it has one landowner currently in discussions and that appraisals and covenant reviews would be required before any acquisition moves forward. Ralls described the preferred route as a willing seller pursuing fair-market-value conveyance but said other voluntary legacy tools would be considered depending on title language and deed restrictions.
Trail and local grants: Ralls also updated the board on Nine Star Park construction and related grants. She said the county received an Indiana Trails Plan grant award of $376,496 on March 30 to support a 3/4-mile trail through Nine Star Park and that the trail base is in place. Delivery delays that followed a postal strike delayed photoluminescent aggregate; weather permitting, crews were scheduled to lay the binder the week after the meeting and to place photoluminescent stone and finish the surface on Thursday, May 28. Board volunteers were invited to assist with aggregate placement and a coordinated photo opportunity with the highway superintendent.
Public-art elements tied to the trail and the Octagon House frontage were also described: four-foot “silver dollar” art coins incorporating local historic facts will be installed after paving, followed by a slatted fence, bench and low-maintenance landscaping. Dennis Westridge, president of the Octagon House, provided the historical phrases that will appear in the silver-dollar designs.
What’s next: The board will prepare to complete a DNR pre-application interview by the end of June, firm up which parcel to nominate for LWCF funding, and proceed with bid/installation steps for the Nine Star Park trail and art features. Ralls said the board will email volunteers details about the photoluminescent aggregate event and coordinate application work with the highway department.
