By PAULENE POPARAD

A large part of the Porter Park Department’s annual income is generated through rentals of the Hawthorne Park community center and other facilities there.

Tuesday, the Porter Park Board brainstormed how to keep the rentals coming during increasingly bad economic times. Park administrator Stephanie Miller said although 2008’s park rental income is down only about $2,000 compared to last year, things lately have slowed down. Despite the usually busy holiday season almost here, Miller said fewer Christmas parties have been booked.

Park Board member Rondi Wightman said, “We may have to see about an advertising budget if we see things starting to slide.”

Board member Patty Raffin suggested adding to the signs in three major town parks Porter’s website address with a link to the Park Department. Wightman said a calendar could be available on the website showing what dates are available and where to go for information to book a rental.

Park liaison Town Council member Michele Bollinger said as a tool to promote economic development, beefing up the website already is being discussed. Park Board member Jeannine Virtue volunteered to research how the Park Department page could be upgraded.

In a related matter, Raffin reported that bids are being solicited from contractors for the planned kitchen upgrades and restroom remodel at the Hawthorne community center; emergency lighting also will be part of the project. Bid submissions should be ready to review at the Dec. 16 Park Board meeting. The Park Board would forward its recommendations to the Town Council.

Raffin suggested after the work is done, an open house be hosted to show off the improvements and boost interest in rentals.

Park superintendent Jim Miller said it’s hoped CEDIT money (a distribution of revenue from the Porter County Economic Development Income Tax) can be used for the three Hawthorne projects. However, Miller said that wouldn’t leave much for drainage work at Porter Cove Park that really needs to be done.

Miller displayed photos of standing water, presented his plans for a first phase of stormwater improvements there and said a contractor is ready to go. The stumbling block is money. “If we don’t get anything in place this fall, it will be tough (to work) in the spring,” noted Miller, adding that any time it rains that area of the park is unusable.

Because the Town Council has asked all departments to tighten their belts, Miller and the Park Board discussed with Bollinger possible ways to fund the drainage work. If the Porter Cove Homeowners Assn. itself won’t contribute toward the project, said Park Board member Becky Maranto, perhaps parents interested in resolving the water issue could help find a way to get it done.

Jim Miller said Porter Cove’s park drainage problems are on Porter’s list of stormwater hot spots, but the town Stormwater Management Board has higher-priorty projects to deal with first. There was good drainage news on another front.

Miller said a FEMA representative visited Hawthorne Park where severe flooding occurred following a nearly 15-inch rainfall there Sept. 12-14 that damaged structures on the east end. The repairs should be eligible for reimbursement when he estimates the park’s losses, said Miller. Virtue, who lives nearby, said the extent of park flooding was incredible.

In other business, the Park Board welcomed the use of Hawthorne Park and the community center Sept. 13, 2009 for the Calumet Crank Club’s annual ride. Between 300 and 390 riders, some traveling 100 miles that day, will particpate. The board approved the early 6 a.m. start.

Maranto distributed the final draft of the park’s new five-year plan for members to review so it can be approved at next month’s meeting. She also thanked donors and volunteers who helped make the recent Halloween Boo Bash event a success, and outlined final plans for the Dec. 6 Porter Express children’s holiday party from 1 to 3 p.m. Volunteers to help with the entertainment, games, food and prizes are being sought.

Also Tuesday, the Park Board approved an amended route for the proposed 8-foot-wide Orchard Pedestrian Way hike/bike trail shifting it to the north side of Ackerman Drive in Hawthorne. Construction is still a year away although a pedestrian bridge over the Little Calumet River north of the park will be installed sooner.

Posted 11/19/2008