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http://www.emichigancity.com/news.htm#master

The Michigan City Park Department is currently working on our 5-year Master Plan. We realize how vital public input is to our planning process. We ask that you post the attached flyer and distribute the attached survey to your friends, family, clubs, businesses, churches, civic organizations, etc.

The deadline for returning the survey to the Park Office, located in the Michigan City Senior Center, is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2011.

http://www.emichigancity.com/pdf/master-plan-survey-2011.pdf

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http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...8d791498482.txt

Parks' 'Master Plan' to be presented soon

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Monday, November 28, 2011 5:08 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — The Master Plan for the Michigan City Park Department could be presented to the Park Board twice during the next two months.

One plan would come before the board in December after all surveys have been completed by the public. The other could come in January after the plans are reviewed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

A tentative plan, which includes a $75,000 feline house for the Washington Park Zoo to be in place by 2016, has been presented to the public during two open hearings in October.

Many of the items on the tentative plan, Park Board President Phil Freese says, “hinge on money.”

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“We are still waiting on some answers,” he said. “Everything is still up for discussion.”

Other plans for the zoo include nearly $50,000 in construction costs in 2012 and a new zoo fan to be in place by 2015.

Parks Department Superintendent Jan Orlich said she has received 72 completed surveys, with more than 80 submitted to various community groups and civic organizations.

Surveys can be filled out online at the parks department website until Wednesday.

Orlich said having a Master Plan keeps the department eligible for funding from outside sources including grants and endowments.

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http://www.emichigancity.com/news.htm#parks

Michigan City Parks & Recreation 2012-2016 Master Plan

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Department will present its final draft of the Park Department's 2012-2016 5-Year Master Plan. This plan will be presented to the Park Board at their meeting on 12/07/11. The public is invited to attend this meeting and give input. This will be the last opportunity to do so on this 5 year plan. The Parks Dept emphasizes that public input is critical to the planning process as it helps them assess the wants and needs of the community. For additional information, please contact the Park Office at 219-873-1506.

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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...ff835353540.txt

Park officials: Public input on plan disappointing

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, December 8, 2011 5:08 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — Parks & Recreation Department officials expressed disappointment in the number of completed surveys they received for the 2012-2016 Master Plan, despite that number being 143 percent more than in 2006.

That was when the department issued a Master Plan survey for 2007-2011.

“We had more surveys completed this year, but there was no public input at the meetings, which was disappointing,” Administrative Director Shannon Eason said.

Eason presented the Master Plan as it appears now before the Park Board on Wednesday night. The plan, created internally by Park Department officials, still needs to be approved by the Park Board later this month, as well as the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, when it is presented with the plan for a second time in April.

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The survey, which was posted through the media and on the Park Department website, was filled out by 194 people this year, Eason said. In 2006, only 80 surveys were completed.

Popular responses from the public included improvements to the existing golf courses, more trails and paths, the addition of a nature center and more fishing-access areas in the city.

Eason said the trails and paths request “fits in well” with the Trail Creek Master Plan designed by Eric Neagu and Weaver Boos Consultants.

Park board member Bryant Dabney said he wishes “we had more responses,” and Michigan City needs to “turn it around and get more participation.”

Board President Phil Freese agreed, but pointed out “at least there was an increase (in completed surveys).”

However, Tom Milcarek, the only other board member present for the meeting, said the 143 percent increase is “significant.”

“People are starting to take notice, and I believe we are headed in the right direction,” he said.

In 2012, the plan tentatively calls for a number of additions and improvements to Patriot Park, including two new ball diamonds, a pair of new dugouts, batting cages and brick paver replacements.

Forty new banquet tables and 325 chairs are planned for Michigan City Senior Center that year as well, with that cost totaling $46,000.

In 2013, the plan calls for exterior renovations, as well as a repaved parking lot, a new access road and basketball court at Memorial Park.

The total cost of the 2013 plan is about $3 million less than what is in sight for 2012.

The 2014 estimated costs only total $778,000, but that includes replacing the golf course fleet of carts and purchasing a new lifeguard truck for Washington Park.

Plans for 2015 include paving the parking lot and installing walking trails at Karwick Nature Park, as well as carpet and tile replacement at the Senior Center.

The highlight in 2016, if the plan is not changed and approved, will be converting Canada Park into a dog park. This, the plan states, will include eliminating the existing playground and concrete wall at the park just east of U.S. 12 near Blue Chip Casino. Eason said an Americans with Disabilities Act assessment is still being completed and may change the scope of the plan after a draft is submitted in January, but before the final plan is approved by the DNR in April.

“A lot will hinge on that assessment,” Eason said.

Parks Department Superintendent Jan Orlich thanked Eason for the presentation, and said the department saved around $40,000 by having the plan conducted in-house.

A draft of the plan needs to be submitted to the DNR by Jan. 15, followed by a final version of the plan by April 15.

The board intends to vote on the plan at its Dec. 21 meeting.