Minutes - November 29, 2017
NOBLE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 29, 2017 MEETING
Present: Scott Allen, Jim Haddock, Ray Scott, John Metzger, Doug Keenan
Guests: Matt Getts, KPC News; Jeff Boyle, City of Ligonier; Kaitlyn Sproles, Chain-O-Lakes State Park; Diann Scott, West Lakes Association.
The November 29, 2017 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 September 27 meeting were approved as sent.
Strawberry Valley Cultural Trail – Jeff Boyle from the City of Ligonier, gave an update on the Strawberry Valley Cultural Trail. Ligonier has 27 murals, 7 bronze statues and 5 parks. These are all tied together with a trail system through the city. When this is completed, the trail will be heading south to connect to the West Noble Schools campus, and eventually connect to the trail system in Syracuse that is coming toward Cromwell. Eventually, Ligonier, would like to attach to the Pumpkin Vine Trail in LaGrange. Ligonier received a Regional Cities grant to help with their trails.
Take a Stroll Saturday – Scott Allen reported that the October 28 Take a Stroll at Fishing Line trail had no one attend. The weather was very poor that day.
Chain O Lakes State Park – Kaitlyn Sproles, Naturalist at Chain O Lakes State Park, explained her role at the park and the activities she will be involved with at the park. There will now be year round educational programs at the park, as Kaitlyn works with schools and other groups. There are 20 miles of trails in the park, and nine connected lakes. Kaitlyn noted that National Public Lands Day will be September 22, 2018. This would be a good day for Take A Stroll Saturday, since admission to the park is free that day. Kaitlyn would be happy to promote our events on the DNR Chain O Lakes Website and Facebook Page.
Noble Trails - Scott Allen shared that there will an additional 3 miles of the Fishing Line trail constructed by spring of 2018. On April 28, 2018 the Fishing Line 5K Run/Walk will be held.
West Lakes Association - Diann Scott, President of the West Lakes Association, gave a presentation on the flood of 2017 and the steps that have been taken since. The West Lakes consist of the Jones, Tamarack, Waldron and Steinbarger lakes. There are 500 residents on the lakes. The watershed feeding into West Lakes is 134 square miles. There are 7 drains plus the Elkhart River feeding into the lakes, with just a small outlet. On May 31st, a 100 year flood elevation was reached, with 41 inches of water being on top of Waldron Lake Road. Many homes were flooded and the sewers were down for 5 weeks. The West Lakes Association activated volunteers, who removed 250 log jams and much debris from the Elkhart River. Special meetings were held with county, state and federal government officials attending and speaking about the flooding problem. Many homes have been raised 3-4 feet. 10 projects have been determined and committees are meeting to address these priorities. The West Lakes Association has applied for two Lake and River Enhancement Grants to help with some of the projects.
Meeting adjourned at 11:50 AM
Next meeting – Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Noble County Public Library.