Minutes - August 28, 2019

NOBLE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 28, 2019 MEETING

Present: Ray Scott, Scott Allen, John Metzger, Jeff Boyle, Doug Keenan.

Guests: Teresa Tackett, Noble County Plan Commission; Kyle Quandt, Northeast Indiana Water Trails.

The August 28, 2019 meeting of the Noble County Parks and Recreation Board was called to order by President Ray Scott at 10:00 AM.

The Minutes of the July 24 Parks Summit Meeting were approved as sent.

Old Business:

Five Year Master Plan Update: Kyle Quandt, Principal Planner and Grants Manager for the Northeastern Indiana Regional Coordinating Council, presented the concept of water trails to the Board. Kyle works with the Northeast Indiana Water Trails program, which covers 566 miles of water trails in 10 counties.

Fort Wayne holds an annual canoeing/kayaking event on the river. The event features a scavenger hunt along the river and includes prizes. The Elkhart River would work for this kind of event. Fort Wayne works with outfitters for canoes and kayaks, and has sponsors for the event.

Another event held on the river in Fort Wayne is the “Young Paddlers” program, which is for youth ages 5-15.

Kyle also passed around the Best Management Practices for water trails, and noted that there is a National Water Trails program.

Northeast Indiana Water Trails is working on maps of waterways in Northeast Indiana.

Check the Web Site – neiwatertrails.com

IDNR Boat Launch Sites: The landowner in Cosperville is wanting more than the assessed value of the land on the Elkhart River. There is a site on the South Branch of the Elkhart River that is being considered. Jeff Boyle reported that the boat launch in Ligonier is a good site, but there is a problem with trash at the location.

John Metzger noted that signage would be helpful at the boat launch sites, such as Dukes Bridge. The Northeast Indiana Regional Coordinating Council has equipment to make aluminum signs at a greatly reduced cost.

Website/Spring Photo Contest: The photo contest is completed.

Noble Trails Program: Scott Allen reported that a hike and bicycle event, Noble Trails Bike and Hike, will be held on Saturday, September 21, beginning and ending at the Chase Bank parking lot. Lunch will be provided.

New Business:

Jeff Boyle reported that students from Merry Lea Environmental Center will be canoeing up the Elkhart River all the way to Lake Michigan. We will try to have them come to a Noble County Parks and Recreation Board meeting to report on the condition of the river for canoeing.

Logo: Scott Allen presented several options for the logo of the Noble County Parks and Recreation Board. A logo was selected by the Board. The logo can be changed for specific events by “googleizing” the logo.

Meeting adjourned at 11:20 AM.

Next meeting – September 25, 2019 at 10:00 AM.