Board outlines Deeds Creek maintenance work and approves fundraising request to commissioners for Pearson Road Trail planning

Board members reported progress on creek maintenance and trail planning and approved a motion to seek the county commissioners’ permission to fundraise for preplanning on the Pearson Road Trail.

A member summarized invitations they and Rob received to a meeting led by surveyor Jim Moyer about Deeds Creek, a reach between Husky Trail and U.S. 30 where steep banks and significant erosion are sending sediment downstream into Pike Lake. The member said the drainage board has funds allocated for significant bank work that could begin this fall and continue up to two years.

Discussion then turned to recreation. Members said the reach could be a candidate for a greenway connection to the Buyer Farm Trail and other nearby amenities, noting proximity to YMCA property and apartment neighborhoods off Husky Trail. One member asked whether the creek could be made a blueway for paddling; board members said the drainage board would not deepen the creek for recreation and that summer flows likely would not sustain paddling, making a greenway the more realistic option.

The board reviewed recent fundraising: a $2,500 award from the Community Foundation designated for the Winona Lake–Pearson Trail and two community donor gifts of $2,500 each placed in the Friends of the Trails Fund (a total of $5,000), with donors designating those funds for the trail. Board members discussed whether those funds should be moved into a county fund (which would not earn interest) or retained in an earmarked Community Foundation fund (which could earn interest but has administrative fees). The transcript indicates the board was advised the Community Foundation could make grants from its Friends of the Trails Fund, but final distribution would be decided by the Community Foundation board.

Because the board did not get the Indiana Department of Health Veil Accelerator grant (one member said there were about 16 applicants for four awards), a member moved that the parks board seek permission from the county commissioners to fundraise and self-fund preplanning for the Pearson Road Trail. The motion was seconded, Rob agreed to serve as project manager for the fundraising component, Aggie agreed to be a point person for Deeds Creek, and the board approved the motion by voice vote.

Members also discussed next steps for procurement: Zach Grips at Maycog was asked to provide cost estimates and indicated willingness to help prepare an RFP for engineering firms if the board proceeds. Donor restrictions and the mechanics of moving funds were raised as points for staff to coordinate with the Community Foundation and county finance staff.

The board’s immediate direction is to request commissioners’ approval to begin fundraising and to clarify where and how existing designated donations will be held and spent.