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Three Oaks Parks & Recreation committee weighs $29,185 rain‑garden project, market move and approves mulch purchase
Summary
At its Feb. 3 meeting, the Village of Three Oaks Parks & Recreation Committee reviewed a $29,185 rain‑garden plan that may include a donated sculpture, discussed moving the summer market to Carver Park with a proposed $2,500 DDA sponsorship, and approved up to $1,000 for mulch for Carver Park.
The Village of Three Oaks Parks & Recreation Committee met Feb. 3 at Village Hall and reviewed several park projects and event plans, including a proposed rain‑garden pegged at $29,185 and a plan to relocate the summer Three Oaks Market to Carver Park.
Chair Ira Johnson presented the rain‑garden project estimate, which the committee recorded as $29,185 including expenditures and in‑kind contributions. Committee members discussed ways to raise public awareness and secure funding; guest Tom Pauly told the committee a sculptor may donate a piece for the garden’s pad but that the donor would expect recognition and that additional shipping and installation costs would apply. No formal action was taken on the rain‑garden budget at the meeting.
Members also reviewed the Chamberlain Path materials from a Jan. 20 joint committee meeting and requested a work session to examine the path proposal and an emailed PowerPoint in more detail.
On event planning, Cathi Rodgers outlined a proposal to move the Three Oaks Market to Carver Park on Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m., May 30–Sept. 5, with a possible late‑September or October market. The plan calls for weekly live music, family activities, limited food/vendor electrical hookups and dedicated vendor representation on a market committee. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was proposed to sponsor market costs with a $2,500 package that the committee’s notes break down as approximately $1,500 for market sponsorships, $400 for park fees, $300 for a permanent park sign, $150 for entrance banners, $150 for downtown wayfinding signage, $150 for temporary yard signs/flags, $200 for posters/postcards, and $400–$500 for paid advertising; Fusion Design agreed to design marketing materials in exchange for recognition as a sponsor.
Committee members discussed logistics including port‑a‑potty rental, limited space for food vendors and electrical needs, and reserving parking for performers at Dewey Cannon Park’s Music in the Park to protect trees from informal parking.
On parks maintenance, Marlene Kramer moved to buy about 15 cubic yards of natural hardwood mulch not to exceed $1,000 for use in Carver Park, with any remainder to be used in other parks; Brian Overley seconded and the motion carried. The committee also shared Timber Town photos for Watkins Park and agreed to include that site in spring walk‑throughs.
Other items recorded included a pause on community garden expansion after the Pokagon Fund declined to purchase the elementary school property, ongoing uncertainty over a permanent AEP easement (committee discussed a temporary easement with small payment as an interim option), interest in Little League field use and a potential sublease to New Buffalo, and a request to explore grant options for pickleball courts. The committee adjourned at 8:50 p.m. after a motion by Kramer, seconded by Chair Ira Johnson.
Actions taken at the meeting were limited to routine approval of the agenda and Jan. 6 minutes, the mulch purchase motion, and adjournment; several projects (rain garden, Chamberlain Path, market relocation, community garden easement) were referred for further discussion or work sessions.
