Minutes - January 27, 2016
NOBLE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES OF JANUARY 27, 2016 MEETING
Present: Ray Scott, John Metzger, Kathy Hagen, Jim Haddock
Guest: Matt Getts - KPC Media, Jed Pearson – DNR Fisheries Biologist, and Kyle Quandt – Principal Planner and Grant Manager with the Northeastern Indiana Regional Coordinating Council.
The January 27, 2016 meeting of the Noble County Parks and Recreation Board was called to order at 10:00 AM by President Ray Scott. The minutes of the December 16, 2015 meeting were approved as sent.
Old Business:
Elkhart River. Plans for an Elkhart River Canoe outing were discussed. The suggestion is to have the trip this August as stated in last month’s Minutes. The entry point for the event is tentatively planned for Co. Rd. 525 and its intersection with the river. There is only parking space available for 5-6 cars at this site so that most vehicles will need to be parked at the take-out site at U.S. 6, with shuttle service back to the entry site upstream. The trip is estimated to be approximately 4 hours in duration. Stream flow in August will be slow. Jed has suggested that we think of it as a “slow, scenic, waterway with abundant spreads” as the river meanders along. This portion of the river will involve no known portages. Participants should be advised to bring water, a lunch or snacks and life preservers. Paddles are helpful…
Additional items suggested: Utilizing a “hold harmless” sign-off sheet, notifying the DNR, the Noble Co. Sheriff’s office and the local Conservation Officer of our activity. It was also suggested that we contact the Elkhart River Restoration Alliance and especially Gene Leightner, a retired teacher and resident of Eagle Lake who has been particularly active in river affairs. Local outfitters such as Mongo Outfitters should be notified relative to both publicity and rentals.
Both Jed and Kyle were very helpful with suggestions and in helping us distinguish between Navigable and Non-Navigable waterways from the perspective of the legal rights of riparian land owners relative to the issue of trespass.
Kyle discussed the upcoming canoeing event in Fort Wayne (Three Rivers area) on June 11 that will involve many non-profit groups who have an interest in river enhancement, safety and recreational issues. We have been invited to participate with a booth/table of some sort to talk about our organization and upcoming events for the summer. It is an excellent way to raise awareness. There is a nominal registration fee.
Both of our new guests are excellent contact sources. I have included their business and email addresses below:
Jed Pearson, DNR Fisheries Biologist
Northeast Regional Office
1353 S. Governors Drive
Columbia City, IN 46725-7539
(260) – 244-6805
jpearson@dnr.IN.gov
Kyle Christine Quandt
Principal Planner and Grant Manager
Northeastern Indiana Regional Coordinating Council
200 East Berry Street Suite 230
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
(260) 449-7309
Kyle.Quandt@co.allen.in.us
The meeting was adjourned at about 11:50 am.
Next meeting – Wednesday, February 24, at 10:00 AM at the Noble County Public Library.
Note:
Since we did not have time to address the additional Old and New Business items from the Minutes of Dec. 16, 2015, I have taken the liberty of duplicating them here in the interest of continuity.
Take a Stroll Saturdays. Several locations for hikes for 2016 were discussed, including the path at Parkview Noble Hospital, the Edna W. Spurgeon Preserve, the Lonidaw Preserve, the Crooked Lake Preserve and Chain-O-Lakes State Park. Jim Haddock noted that the Crooked Lake location could be used for a hike canoeing/kayaking. Kite flying may also be an option for one of the Take a Stroll Saturdays. The hikes will be held on the second Saturday of each month beginning in May and ending in October. The hikes will be in the morning.
New Business:
The Indiana State Department of Health has a bike and pedestrian planning grant available. This would not really fit with the Noble County Parks and Recreation Board right now.
All-In Block Party. Scott Allen is serving as the Parks and Recreation Chair for this Bicentennial event. The Block Party is sponsored by the Albion STAR Team, and will be held on Saturday, June 25, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The Board expressed interest in participating in this event. Maps and overlays of our recreational sites in Noble County could be featured.
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