Here is one of the drawings first released. No plans have been finalized. Artwork provided by the city of Warsaw.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Just weeks after announcing plans for a new large park adjacent to the municipal airport, Warsaw officials hired a consultant to come up with an overall plan.

The 62-acre tract of land is owned by the municipal airport and is north of the east-west runway and southwest of CRs 300N and 100E.

On Monday, Feb. 7, the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission agreed to hire Cornerstone PDS, Fishers, to essentially develop a master plan for the wide-open property.

Cornerstone will be paid $25,800 to provide a preliminary design and provide some cost figures.

Two preliminary drawings were released when the city announced plans last month, but Jeremy Skinner, community and economic development director for the city, said those were intended to spark discussion. Some of the ideas include an 18-hole disc golf course, a cricket field, a rugby field and other amenities.

The park would also be dog-friendly.

Skinner said the consultant will take into consideration activities included in the park’s master plan in developing a plan.

Cornerstone has a year to complete the work. Skinner said there will be time for public input.

Once the park vision is clear, Skinner said the city would begin looking at funding sources. He said he’s had conversations with a few groups who have an interest in the park.

He said he’s received a dozen or so emails from those interested in seeing a new disc golf course.

Commission member Michael Klondaris asked if developing parks is under their purview.

“Explain how this fits into our directive,” Klondaris said. “This is really unusual, I think, to come to us with proposals to fund a park.”

Skinner said that even though the board has not been involved with park plans during its existence, he pointed out that the first project the redevelopment commission undertook was Central Park.

“We have not done a lot since then. Is it within the redevelopment commission’s work? Absolutely,” Skinner said.

New recreational opportunities, he said, can be an economic driver.

In other matters, the board:

• Agreed to a memo of understanding with a company that is planning a residential development at the corner of CRs 225E and 75N for assistance with stormwater runoff. The number of homes in the project by Biggs Indiana Properties is expected to be 60-70.
• The board voted to retain the same officers for 2022.  Tim Meyer will continue to serve as president, Rick Snodgrass as vice president and George Clemens, who was absent, will serve as secretary.

The schedule of meetings was released. You can see that below.