Park rules OK'd

New park.
New rules.
Members of the Portland Park Board approved 13 rules Tuesday outlining conduct at Hudson Family Park, which is completed and scheduled for a grand opening ceremony in late June.
The guidelines approved Tuesday include a ban on alcohol consumption or sales (with exceptions possible after review by the board); terms and procedures for rental of amphitheater; and other rules of conduct.
Board members have decided to allow fishing at the park, although wading or swimming will not be permitted.
The pond will not be stocked, but recent heavy rains could have carried some fish into the pond, officials said Tuesday
In other business, Eric Rogers of Arts Place also asked the board several questions pertaining to the group’s upcoming use of the amphitheater for concerts.
A free concert will be held June 26 as part of the grand opening ceremony for the park. Arts Place will not be charged a rental fee for this event. NewFound Road, a gospel group, will be performing.
Rogers said he also plans to have jazz/salsa group Maraca perform July 14 at the amphitheater. He asked several questions, such as how tickets sales and the crowd would be controlled, and if temporary fencing would be erected. Rogers said he was concerned that people would not buy a ticket and sit in other areas of the park and enjoy the concert.
The board had no definitive answer, but Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said Arts Place could put up a temporary fence.
Ticket sales and crowd control must be determined by Arts Place, Hosier said.
“We’re up to any challenge, but we’re not (Verizon Wireless Music Center near Noblesville),” Hosier said. “We need to walk through this together.
“We understand that this is a work in progress.”
Rogers also asked if the public restroom building next to the playground could be used solely by members of Maraca. He said band members would need a place to change. Rogers added that he had considered letting the band members change at Arts Place, then transporting them to Hudson Family Park. However, he feared that large crowds would get in the way.
Hosier suggested that a police escort be used to get the performers from Arts Place to the park and Rogers agreed.
In other business, park board members and those in attendance discussed a new five-year Park and Recreation Master Plan.The pros and cons of the city’s current park system were discussed. Possible future upgrades and projects also were discussed. The city must have such a plan in place to be eligible for state grants.
Some of the problems discussed included the deteriorating city pool, lack of funding for upgrades, vandalism, and old playground equipment, shelters and restrooms.
Goals for the future included sidewalks or paths to connect all city parks. Michael Krosschell of The Schneider Corporation announced that the city has applied for a Transportation Enhancement Grant through the Indiana Department of Transportation for a trail that would run along Creagor Avenue and connect Milton Miller Park and nearby multi-family housing units to Haynes Park.
The master plan will be discussed again late this summer or in the fall, he said.
Also Tuesday, board members:
•Learned that the opening of the Portland Pool has been delayed because of repairs.
Portland Street and Park Department Superintendent Jeff Harker told the board that a 25-foot section on the south side of the large pool had to cut out and must be replaced. So far, it has not been warm enough for the concrete to set, he said.
Harker said the pool is now set to open June 9. It originally was set to be open May 28-30, then weekends only until June. 9.
•Voted to purchase a new Toro lawnmower from Hull Brothers Inc. at a price of $5,487. This price reflects a trade-in value of $7,821 for an Exmark mower.
Hilty Engine Inc. also submitted a quote of $5,650, and Bryant Combine Parts submitted quotes of $5,771 for a Bush Hog and $6,390 for a Country Clipper. These quotes also reflect trade-in values.[[In-content Ad]]