Hancock County Parks Board eyes 26‑acre Sugar Creek parcel for conservation and paddle corridor

Mary Morales, president of the Hancock County Parks and Recreation Board, presented a potential acquisition of a 26‑acre parcel along Sugar Creek at 400 North and 100 West that she said "represents a rare opportunity in Hancock County." The board heard photos and ecological information but took no formal action at the July 16 meeting.

Morales told the board two appraisals have been ordered and that the acquisition effort would be pursued with the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust, which the presentation described as offering a 75/25 match. Morales said appraisals are a required step to work with the trust and that, if conveyed into the land trust, the parcel would be preserved as parkland in perpetuity. She also described plans to apply in 2028 for Land and Water Conservation Fund support for additional amenities such as parking and lighting.

The presentation emphasized ecological values on the site: the parcel borders Sugar Creek, contains wetlands and a pond, and the board was told it supports wildlife including white‑tailed deer, owls, eagles, coyotes and likely habitat for species cited in an IPAC report and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service consultation (the presentation listed migratory birds, Indiana bat, snuffbox mussel, monarch butterfly and possible bald and golden eagles). Morales also noted two wells on the property, including an artesian well coordinated with the U.S. Geological Survey, and said the pond supports fish habitat.

Board members heard that the site has been used for low‑impact recreation — internal trails, a log cabin used as a coordination point, cross‑country use, kayaking and a 28‑cage disc golf course that hosted events exceeding 200 participants — and that the owner has maintained the land. Morales described a long‑term vision that would link the upstream parcel by water to 9 Star Park and create a formal put‑in point for paddlers; she noted the county has a $400,000 Department of Natural Resources grant to build a 0.75‑mile trail at 9 Star Park downstream.

A committee member asked whether impact fees could be used to fund the acquisition. Morales said she believed "impact fees are for only capital projects" and that she would review zone improvement plan restrictions and report back; Kelly McClarenan, the board treasurer, said the board will find out and suggested fundraising as an option. The board did not vote on acquisition steps during the meeting; Morales said she expected appraisal results back by the following week.

Next steps: the board will review appraisal results once received and consider funding options. No formal vote or land purchase was recorded at this meeting.