Three Oaks parks board forwards Chamberlain Path, okays small park repairs and tree treatment

The Village of Three Oaks Parks and Recreation Board on Aug. 4 recommended the Chamberlain Path project concept to the Village Council and approved several modest maintenance and event requests, the board recorded in minutes of the meeting held at Village Hall, 21 N. Elm Street.

The action to advance the Chamberlain Path concept came after a discussion of funding sources and approval steps. Larry Shawver moved to recommend the project concept to the Village Council so it may proceed through required review; Mike Springer supported the motion and it was approved. Chair Ira Johnson said the funding summary for the proposed expansion has been circulated and that the project will next be considered by the Village Council and Planning Commission.

The board approved maintenance and small repair expenditures. Brian Overley requested up to $500 to refurbish four raised beds in Dillard Park, buy a garbage receptacle and one gallon of stain; Overley volunteered to perform the work. Joan Brown supported the motion and the board approved the expenditure.

Board members also authorized measures to extend the life of three Pin Oaks at Dewey Cannon Park. After Overley and Brown met with an arborist and reported soil conditions compromising the trees, the board approved providing up to $800 for injection treatment of two identified trees and to expand mulching to create mulch islands around the trees; the arborist had estimated $350 per tree for treatment.

The DDA requested permission to hold a Halloween “Spooktacular” in Dewey Cannon Park to coincide with its Stroll Three Oaks promotion. Several board members said the Village Council must give final approval; Larry Shawver moved to forward the DDA request to the Village Council, Joan Brown supported the motion, and the board approved forwarding the request.

Johnson reported continuing volunteer activity on the Rain Garden; he and others, including Sara White, had spent several hours weeding and coordinating volunteers. The Rotary Club recently provided several volunteers and Horizon Bank has discussed dedicating its volunteer day to Hoadley Trail in Watkins Park. Jim Dykas, speaking as a member of the public, said Changemaker Studios requested that volunteer hours be tracked for use in funding requests for the Rain Garden and Chamberlain Path work.

At Carver Park the board discussed a proposed concrete walkway and agreed Village crews will notify Chair Johnson when work is scheduled so the pathway can be delineated with spray paint. The DDA proposed a banner to promote Music in the Park and the farmers market; Mike Springer volunteered to attach the banner to a backboard for display on the park signboard.

Village Manager Dan Faulkner reported he had received applications for a part-time parks maintenance position; the board agreed with his plan to hire the applicant judged the superior choice. The minutes record two adjournment entries: one noting adjournment at 8:10 p.m. and a later entry recording adjournment at 8:20 p.m.; the meeting record contains inconsistent adjournment times.

Next steps: the Chamberlain Path recommendation will move to the Village Council and Planning Commission for their reviews, the DDA’s Halloween event will be considered by the Village Council, Faulkner will check the reported drain issue raised by Brown, and the village will schedule and mark the Carver Park walkway prior to work.