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Bethel seeks $450,000 PARTF match to advance Smith Street Park master plan
Summary
Bethel officials asked residents for input April 15 on a proposed Smith Street Park master plan and a PARTF grant application seeking a $450,000 state match to leverage roughly $900,000 in improvements including an ADA-accessible trail, playground, restrooms, lighting, parking and a future amphitheater.
Bethel officials on April 15 solicited public input on a Smith Street Park master plan and a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant application that would pair $450,000 in town and other local funds with a $450,000 PARTF award for approximately $900,000 in improvements.
“The plan shows a trail outlining around the park,” project presenter Kelsey Dew said, describing a paved, ADA-accessible loop, new playground equipment, exercise stations, picnic shelters with future electrical and water, a splash pad area and a central amphitheater. “We're looking at paving that walking trail, adding additional parking in, lighting for the park,” Dew said.
The town manager told attendees the funding package already includes $200,000 from a Rural Transformation Grant (RTG), $50,000 from a State Capital Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) award and $200,000 from town fund balance that the Town Board approved to dedicate for the project. “We've got $450,000 of money that we're asking to be matched by the state for another 450 that would give us a total of $900,000,” the town manager said.
Dew outlined the application timetable: PARTF applications are due May 1; award notices are expected in July, funds are typically released in August, and PARTF projects generally have a two-year grant period for implementation.
Residents raised operations and safety concerns during a question-and-answer period. One resident urged the town to lock park amenities at night and provide a staff presence to prevent vandalism: “I strongly see that we need to... have a certain time at night that it closed up,” the resident said. The town manager said the public works department has been reconstituted with two public works employees and a supervisor and that limited maintenance funds have been budgeted, adding that cameras and controlled electrical shutoffs are options to explore.
On utilities and infrastructure, Dew said restroom and splash-pad plumbing will be designed for the Barnhill Street side and noted many modern splash pads recirculate water. She also said Rivers and Associates and the project team are coordinating with the Pick County fire marshal about hydrant placement and code requirements; the consultant is expected to return a detailed plan showing hydrant locations and other engineering specifics.
Staff emphasized public procurement rules: installation contracts and future construction phases, including an amphitheater and splash pad, will be put out to bid. The town reviewed its current fee schedule with attendees: a $200 facility-use fee and a $100 refundable deposit for reserved events, with staff noting that town-hosted events open to the public generally would not be charged a fee.
If PARTF matching funds are not awarded, the town manager said the project would be scaled to prioritize elements already funded or in hand, such as the walking trail, playground equipment from RTG funds, exercise equipment, picnic shelters and possibly bathrooms.
Residents were asked to complete a short survey at the meeting and return it to town hall by Tuesday, April 22; staff said survey responses will be used to strengthen the PARTF application. The town expects Rivers and Associates to deliver more detailed engineering plans within about a week, and officials said they will update the community as plans and funding decisions move forward.
The meeting concluded after final comments and collection of additional surveys.
