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Park board finalizes fair logistics, restrooms, parking and tie-out plans
Summary
At its June meeting the Ripley County Park Board discussed restroom repairs and epoxy timing, assigned keys and setup dates for fair vendors, reviewed trailer and parking placement on a newly acquired lot, and revisited plans for a permanent tie-out area.
S2, the chair, opened the meeting and the board moved quickly into planning for the county fair, focusing on facility readiness and parking logistics. S1, the park manager, told the board that the restrooms at the extension office had been jetted and cleaned and that contractors found and removed trash and personal items. “It cost me $600 to have it jetted,” S1 said, and added that the contractor expected the epoxy floor work to be cured by Saturday morning if started Monday.
The board confirmed barn setup and key distribution: S1 said barn setup day is the 11th and that keys will be handed out beginning that day. The group discussed whether restrooms and walkways would be usable once the epoxy work finished; S1 cautioned that heavy dragging across newly cured floors should be avoided.
Members also debated parking and trailer placement on a recently purchased lot. S1 said the new lot still has wood chips and bedding in places and that some commissioners had asked whether animals or trailers should be placed there during fair. Board members agreed to place trailers on the west portion to preserve the east side for overflow car parking. S2 noted that using the west area would preserve roughly three to four acres for vehicle parking.
On animal handling, members described the tie-out area that had been moved to relieve pressure between the horse barn and parking; S4 said moving tie-outs aimed to reduce yard damage near buildings. S4 reported a previous committee member had drafted plans for a permanent tie-out facility for everyone’s use, but that the proposal had been shut down by an unspecified party and would need to be revisited if the board pursues a permanent installation.
S1 also raised a maintenance need for a low spot behind the cattle barn that holds water; the board discussed hauling a load of gravel to fill the depression and named local haulers to contact. S1 proposed contacting local contractor Shane Simon first, and S2 suggested Dave Norwall as an alternate.
The meeting included several operational reminders for vendors and volunteers, including booth assignments and a pending decision from one food-truck operator. S1 said booth rentals were nearly full. The board asked S1 to confirm the epoxy cure timing and to notify vendors and exhibitors if any restrictions are needed while floors finish curing. The park manager said the facility and electrical pedestals are largely in place but that Duke must finish reconnecting transformers and wiring before full power is available for all pedestals.
The board did not take a formal vote on a permanent tie-out or a gravel contract; members directed staff to follow up with quotes and contractor availability before the next meeting.
