Minutes - August 24, 2016

NOBLE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD

MINUTES OF AUGUST 24, 2016 MEETING

Present: Ray Scott, Scott Allen, James Haddock, Doug Keenan, John Metzger

Guests: Steve Hook, GIS Coordinator; Lauren Hensel, Assistant Property Manager, Chain-O-Lakes State Park.

The August 24, 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 July 27, 2016 meeting were approved as corrected.

Old Business:

Scott Allen suggested that the Board address the action items in the five year Master Plan after the completion of the Take A Stroll Saturdays.

Ray Scott suggested a few updates to the website. Items to be added to the website should be sent to Scott Allen. Steve Hook and the GIS Department added physical addresses to sites on the maps, and added two new public access sites. The maps can at the Noble County Parks and Recreation Website or at http://ncgis.nobleco.us/recreation .

Jim Haddock and John Metzger reported on the canoe/kayak trip on the Elkhart River. This was our most successful event this year. Dave Gorsuch and his Boy Scout troop were on the river doing some cleaning. Adam Bailey, Conservation Officer, discussed water safety with the group. Jim, John and several others kayaked on the river. It was a good day and a good experience.

Lauren Hensel, Assistant Property Manager of Chain-O-Lakes State Park, shared information about the lakes and hiking trails at the park. It was decided to meet at the Boat Rental Parking Lot on September 10 at 9:00 a.m. Canoes, Kayaks Row Boats and Paddle Boats will be available for renting by the hour. People can bring their own canoes or kayaks for a $5.00 fee. Entrance to the park is $7.00 per vehicle. Doug Keenan will work with Matt Getts on an article for the newspapers.

Take a Stroll Saturdays. Dates and locations for the remaining “Take A Stroll Saturdays” for 2016 will be:

September 10 – Chain O Lakes State Park – Canoe, Kayak or Hike.

October 8 – Lonidaw Nature Preserve.

All of these events will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Noble Trails. There will be a ribbon cutting for the 1 ¼ mile section of the trail by Gene Stratton Porter on September 10. Progress continues for Noble Trails.

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 AM

Next meeting – Wednesday, September 28, at 10:00 AM at the Noble County Public Library.