Topics At Warsaw Parks Board Meeting Include Lightning Detection System, Playground Equipment
WARSAW — At the Warsaw Parks and Recreation board meeting Tuesday, Sept. 18, Warsaw Parks Superintendent Larry Plummer informed board members that the iStrike Lightning Detection System should arrive sometime within the next week. At the June board meeting, Plummer announced that the parks department received a grant in the amount of $19,992 from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for a lightning detection system.
The iStrike Lightning Detection System will be installed at Center Lake, Pike Lake, Glover Pavilion and the campground area. Plummer described iStrike as a cellular-based system that can be customized to trigger an alarm and strobe light when lightning strikes in a predetermined mileage radius.
“We have the capability of setting the distance as far or as close as we want it,” said Plummer.
“We also have the ability to set the decibel, how long that decibel goes off and when it comes back on,” Plummer explained, “We have the ability to set the time when they’re active. So for instance, at the campgrounds, the campground has quiet time from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. we don’t want the sirens blasting into someone’s bedroom so we would simply have the strobe alarm set during those hours. During the day we would definitely have the audible alarm.”
Plummer stated the audible alarm and strobe lights would most likely be set 24/7 at the beaches, not only for swimming but also because there are many fishermen there in the evening hours. He suggested installing signage related to the system at each of the areas where an iStrike unit is located.
“We’re excited to see this implemented,” said Plummer. “It’s going to be just another safety measure for our park systems.”
“We have the capability to change the location – so, say Sheila [Recreation Director Wieringa] has an event at Kelly Park – we won’t have the audible or the strobe there, but we will be able to take our phone or our laptop and say ‘Okay, pin us at this location,’ and we will receive mobile alerts for those locations,” Plummer stated.
Plummer provided an update related to the renovation of Kelly Park playground and sledding hill.
“As you know, in our five-year master plan we had a concept for Kelly Park. The sledding hill is taking place right now. We got some more dirt from the stormwater project – we just got that yesterday,” said Plummer. “We’re maybe one project away from having all of our dirt out there to where we can really configure this and make it like our conceptual drawing, with ADA accessibility to the hill.”
Plummer said they removed a tree near the hill for safety reasons. He asked board members for permission to remove two decaying trees at Kelly Park as they are prepping the area for playground equipment.
“As always, when we remove trees, in our overall design we will replant or replace trees,” said Plummer. “Anytime we lose a tree, we plant one or two more. We want future generations to have shade and enjoy the parks as well.” Board members gave approval for removal of the trees.
Plummer informed board members of a recent grant opportunity through Sinclair Recreation LLC, a supplier of Game Time playground equipment in Michigan and Indiana.
“We were able to take advantage of a grant through Game Time,” said Plummer. “Our budgeted amount was $45,000 – if we spent $45,001, we were able to match 100 percent and get $90,000 worth of equipment.”
Plummer said when they became aware of the grant program, they learned that if the equipment was purchased in the fall they could double their purchase, as they would be eligible for a 100 percent match.
“From here on out, we’re going to purchase in the fall and install in the spring,” said Plummer.
Plummer stated they have received close to $51,000 from insurance to cover damage to the Pete Thorn building after a tree near the building was struck by lightning last month. A new roof was put on the north end of the building. Repairs were made to automatic doors and a router and exhaust fans were replaced.
Architects Chris Stine and Jerod Monce with Design Collaborative, Fort Wayne, presented an update and budget numbers for the Central Park master plan.
The next regular meeting will be held at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16.