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Parks board hears progress reports on Koteewi Run, Bur Oak Bend and multiple park projects
Summary
Deputy Director Bruce Oldham and Director Chris Stice updated the board on capital work across Hamilton County parks, reporting completed mural and septic repairs, delivered archery expansion steel, completed parking at Seven Streams and plans to apply for LWCF funding ahead of an August 1 deadline.
Hamilton County Parks leadership provided a series of project updates at the May 18, 2026 board meeting, detailing progress on multiple park improvements and scoping work for larger projects.
Deputy Director Bruce Oldham reported that the Potter's Bridge mural design is complete and that staff are progressing on the Bray Family Homestead lean-to structure. At Cool Creek Nature Center an outdoor classroom with ADA-accessible stone pathways is finished and available for programming, which Treasurer Dr. Campbell praised after noting she recently hiked the area and observed staff maintenance.
Director Chris Stice reported progress across larger capital efforts. He said the Koteewi archery indoor expansion has steel on site and that GMP 2 has been signed; the department plans a groundbreaking once appropriations and grant conditions are aligned and after coordination with IDNR. Stice also said $500,000 in BEST funds from Hamilton County Tourism has been designated for the Magic Carpet installation for the tubing operation this summer.
Bur Oak Bend remains in the scoping and permitting phase; Stice said the department is working with Smock Fansler and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to resolve trail widths and floodplain permitting before beginning construction. For Seven Streams Park the parking lot is fully asphalted and staff plan to apply for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) funding for remaining infrastructure, with an application due around August 1.
Other status items included: Coxhall Gardens fountain scoping with Smock Fansler and coordination with event partners; Cool Creek Pavilion renovations (electrical and stairs); and replacement and licensing discussions for Soma Station equipment at Prather Park. White River Greenway trail paving was reported as awarded and tentatively scheduled for early July, with some tree trimming required for truck access.
Board members did not take separate votes on these updates; Stice and Oldham will return with further scoping, permitting, grant-application materials and timelines as projects progress.
