[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6253092,"mediaKeyId","3183049-966a47059058ab7c4d681c63e1165229","parentId",3183049,"title","Parks board hears construction updates on trail bridge, skate park, dugouts and baseball scheduling","audioSeconds",72,"startMs",293000,"endMs",365000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183049-966a47059058ab7c4d681c63e1165229&start=293&end=365","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183049-966a47059058ab7c4d681c63e1165229/thumbnail_293000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6253092/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Parks-board-hears-construction-updates-on-trail-bridge-skate-park-dugouts-and-baseball-scheduling","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253092-0643597ba331702cae63f14b9ef47f67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129575&Signature=k~Gulrw2MxelLZ7cR22wzUCV2pymWxsrJLpFiWx4QysulJ2ctoOBAj9v507qe~8ANBKE11qc05vDYzATnY6g1dYmDkbwlBjdzRomr1wS432ivQ3MnWRB9FMu3utstRp1wj2RzUcghJQrRMpjeDJbG9eUEWv-bgma1gFDKNHyTs~ALqJPwC0hXVym66ZEMQO9vUjjdBV6Mc9M~7rJBo0J3Xrn2LaRkG-DXLO~xTYj0yKi3djWvRUJWeilkjJlvA4558UtjqV~wKob6cQ7XDV0DaeT74fZ-UMU7XaqZiu9-4d9U2VRjVaI4n3YyZhSlY5kaWiJ5FUtpBKsVcVz6J6T7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbia IN","date","2025-05-03T00:21:09.14Z","article","Columbia City Parks Board members heard progress reports April 28 on several park projects: the new trail and bridge near the high school, finishing work at the skate park, planned dugout upgrades on Fields 5 and 6, and unresolved communication around an existing baseball-field agreement with On Turf.

Park Director Lehi said contractors are progressing on the trail from the high school and that the bridge is scheduled for delivery around May 22; crews may use one or two cranes to set the structure. Lehi said the trail is on schedule for a July finish, pending site conditions and finishing work such as proof-rolling and asphalt placement after the bridge is installed.

The skate park is largely complete but remains an ‘‘attractive nuisance’’ while crews finalize finish grading and install connecting sidewalks, Lehi said. Staff and board members discussed postponing an official grand opening until surrounding landscaping and sidewalks are installed to avoid mud and to allow grass to establish.

Dugouts and baseball-field operations

Lehi told the board maintenance supervisors recommended rebuilding the lower 4–5 feet of dugouts on Fields 5 and 6 with cinder block bases to reduce wood rot and ongoing maintenance. Staff plan to stage that work in the off-season to avoid last-minute repairs prior to play.

On Turf scheduling dispute

Board members and staff discussed recurring communication problems with On Turf, which holds a multi-year agreement to run tournaments at the city’s fields. Lehi reported On Turf reserved dates but in some cases did not use the fields without timely notice to park staff, leaving the city unable to schedule make-up activities. Lehi said staff would invite On Turf representatives back to update the board and clarify deposit and cancellation terms; the board discussed requiring advance notice windows or partial deposits for reserved dates.

Memorial placards and other items

Gary Bird reported research showing inaccuracies on placards at the flagpole memorial; staff said they will not move the existing plaques to Patriotic Park because the names and memorialization were already present at the courthouse memorials. The board also accepted a small commemorative placard that will be mounted at a bridge leading to the area associated with Damoni Grimes.

Small items and equipment

Lehi noted the city received several pop-up canopies from SDI that will be useful for school and concession activities, and that the dugouts and fields were prepped in time for evening games. Staff will continue to monitor the projects and return with any contract items that require board action.

Ending

Staff will invite On Turf representatives to a future meeting, proceed with scheduled work on the trail and skate-park finishing steps, and plan dugout upgrades for a fall start.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Park Board Meeting 04282025","oneSentenceSummary","Columbia City Parks Board received updates on a high-school trail bridge expected the week of May 22, a skate-park completion timeline targeting June with a later grand opening, plans to upgrade two dugouts with cinder block bases, and communication issues with On Turf over tournament scheduling.","taxTitle","Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana","taxId",63763,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253097,"Parks board adopts harassment policy language drafted by HR",139,62000,201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183049-966a47059058ab7c4d681c63e1165229&start=62&end=201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183049-966a47059058ab7c4d681c63e1165229/thumbnail_62000.jpg","/articles/6253097/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Parks-board-adopts-harassment-policy-language-drafted-by-HR","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253097-62a6bbabaf4635911b4fbb08ce569b81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129575&Signature=fiPOR~Q5bYxXnA2xBgFkURNIr2FEpmKZrikKc51IOR-yx8uHWbPQkmiXxT~Wxy~dNhdTcvS0BgxIEwxmCY8pzr7PiQl~NFzbS4nV4-33YTw~~dH7hPKIZG59PP33zeWir5-FZdNzHEk9Uw7~bT0dHxnCD6mCLClUEr0exJI5LO4TYIl0JH~k0ti~Lvf5ebWg8GzxguOo2wooJNbNmqqk0-92kyWXI-1Ltdak5u-66C78VlP2cq4c-CD9QrmzZd~vLNkg5M9pOAUOhYL-0tTX7087yo0Pj9KqT1BsaZ5NhNJgvxoJY5lIV-CnudV8F9FqugpjW4~kFjZv7pDWLntQHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia City Parks Board voted April 28 to adopt updated harassment-policy language provided by the city’s human resources office.

Park Director Lehi told board members the draft added a volunteer definition and clarified that volunteers must be approved by the corporate department head and work under the direct supervision of a city employee. The draft also revised investigation and follow-up procedures in Section 6(d), which staff said came from HR representative Beth.

The nut graf: the board approved the updated draft as presented; the adoption covers internal procedures and a volunteer definition but did not change any cited state or local statutes during the meeting.

Discussion and details

Board members reviewed the redlined changes and confirmed the volunteer definition met their prior request. Staff noted the changes in Section 6(d) deal with how investigations are handled and how follow-up is administered; Lehi asked members to place their approval so staff could take the document back to HR for final processing.

Vote and outcome

A motion to approve the harassment policy language passed by voice vote; the board indicated unanimous assent.

Ending

Staff will forward the approved language to HR for finalization and implementation steps.","Columbia City Parks Board voted to adopt new harassment policy language prepared by HR, including a volunteer definition and investigation/follow-up procedures.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6253102,"Parks board approves $6,900 design contract to build dog park at Patriotic Park",1633,966000,2599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3183049-966a47059058ab7c4d681c63e1165229&start=966&end=2599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3183049-966a47059058ab7c4d681c63e1165229/thumbnail_966000.jpg","/articles/6253102/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Parks-board-approves-6900-design-contract-to-build-dog-park-at-Patriotic-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6253102-9320242f61237924005880ea92c6f998/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129575&Signature=CpFa9PFiajwCOMjabPt6gZQsZ-wi6ywyutQCYfVi40PhMTPxoolRT8YxYWd4R2LjM-yqgdjbyfW~qUzvAW3vXNO-KKNRMiHsntHGCG35bshk6Hv97fXsKU49kNydt8-QeVHpQuQni6Mq0DUTFS9BWD6w7gA~1kaD0WXLAMCf5fLVQ6YnTH0G-8jj9cdNJ4cPvJxEbkzAl12dBv~khPkzuBtxNbFqj4Mv78lVsCWWlvpZdretY5wZvbNGf1Rts5uysrxbkd3UBcQblH99MVrsuU5uqDRr~tHeS-k69OJmArPigeIfucdG6C0cTjADSqxIF9D2gCtTW21~~wgoTLxj-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia City Parks Board voted April 28 to authorize $6,900 for JPR to produce conceptual design work for a proposed dog park at Patriotic Park, moving the project into a paid design phase.

Park Director Lehi presented JPR’s conceptual plan, which divides the site into separate small- and large-dog areas, reuses portions of the existing skate-park concrete, and shows amenities including perimeter chain-link fencing, seating, shade structures, a potential dog-wash station and vehicle parking. The board approved the payment and asked staff to obtain an authorized signature before the end of the meeting so the firm could begin the design work.

The nut graf: the design contract authorizes planning-level work only; additional services such as staking, surveying or geotechnical work are offered a la carte and would require separate cost approvals. Board members emphasized practical site issues — drainage in a low area, parking near the playground, and maintaining sight lines and safety — as the primary near-term risks to the project.

Board discussion and supporting details

Lehi told the board the conceptual package from JPR would include a basic plan, optional 3-D renderings and an itemized list of additional, hourly services. The firm’s listed hourly rates referenced in the materials include $125 per hour for technical support and $175 per hour for professional surveyors; staff said these and any geotechnical fees would be billed separately if requested. The conceptual work price presented to the board was $6,900.

Board members raised operational and maintenance concerns to be addressed in later phases: keeping the fence trim clear of grass, whether to bury or set fence on a footing to prevent digging, gate widths to allow emergency access (staff suggested 10-foot gates), and who would maintain the site. The board discussed whether to make both small- and large-dog enclosures the same fence height for contractor simplicity and whether to incorporate a 2-stage entry alley (double-gate) to prevent dogs from bolting.

Site constraints and design choices

Lehi said the site plan reuses existing concrete and ramps from the skate area where feasible; some existing ramps could be repurposed as dog-play features after surfacing. The site sits in a swale that can remain wet in places; Lehi and JPR discussed integrating an existing dirt mound into the dog-park topography and designing seating and shade where concrete exists. The total area shown in the concept is “just a little over an acre,” which Lehi said falls within typical dog-park size guidance.

Public-safety, animal-health and programming considerations

Board members recommended contacting local veterinarians to advise on vaccination and training programs; Lehi said she would reach out to local vets and suggested vaccination checks or an access-control system tied to proof of vaccinations. The board also discussed potential parking reconfigurations to serve the dog park, playground and ball fields, and the possibility of a short pedestrian connector or small bridge to improve access across wet ground.

Vote and next steps

A motion to accept JPR’s conceptual scope and pay the $6,900 passed with the board voting in favor. Lehi and staff will coordinate a contract signature and return to the board with costed options for any additional services (survey, staking, geotechnical) and a draft implementation schedule.

Ending

Design work will proceed under the approved $6,900 authorization; further board approvals will be required for construction-phase contracts and any budget amendments.","Columbia City Parks Board approved paying JPR $6,900 for conceptual design work for a proposed dog park at Patriotic Park and agreed to move forward with additional design steps if authorized; board also discussed layout, utilities, fence options and operational considerations.","actionData","errors"]

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Parks board hears construction updates on trail bridge, skate park, dugouts and baseball scheduling

Parks board adopts harassment policy language drafted by HR

Parks board approves $6,900 design contract to build dog park at Patriotic Park