By PAULENE POPARAD

Porter Park Board members need help from town residents in drafting a new five-year park master plan.

To that end after March 1 surveys will be available at the town hall, Hageman Library and on the town’s website (www.townofporter.com) soliciting demographic and usage details regarding Porter parks. Tuesday, Park Board members set May 31 as a deadline to return the completed surveys to the town hall.

Later this summer the board will host a public input session to supplement the survey’s findings. A new five-year plan must be completed by year’s end.

Survey questions ask which town park programs residents or family members have participated in; what recreational activities they participate in; given new opportunities, what additional programs/activities would residents prefer; what park facilities have they used previously, which are most in need of upgrading; and additional comments, if any.

The park’s next big event is the March 15 Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. at Hawthorne Park’s community building. Park administrator Stephanie Miller said Jewel previously had donated 90 dozen eggs for past hunts but asked this year because of an increase in egg prices whether the Park Board would consider a donation of plastic eggs.

Board members and park liaison Town Council member Michele Bollinger said plastic eggs could be reused year-to-year, and door prizes and/or coupons could be placed inside.

In other business, the Park Board with member Becky Maranto absent voted 3-0 giving John Beckman permission to apply for a community grant from Nisource, the parent company of NIPSCO, to fund beautification of a section of the intermediate area between Hawthorne Park north of Ackerman Drive and the wetlands near the Little Calumet River.

Park superintendent Jim Miller said park employees have been clearing a wooded area for a window into the wetlands over the years but Beckman has offered to expand it and introduce native plants. Miller said there would be no cost to the park.

Board president Zathoe Sexton asked if development of the nature area would affect plans for the Orchard Pedestrian Way hike/bike trail through Hawthorne in the same general area. Miller said no. Board member Patti Raffin said the nature area’s location is very dark. “It is scary along there. I’m not saying flood the area but maybe (install) one strategically placed light.” Miller said he would bring the request to the Town Council.

Regarding a previous request from the Porter Cove Homeowners Association for lights at the town park in that subdivision, Sexton said the cost could reach $620 a year depending on the number installed. Raffin suggested PCHA be approached about sharing the cost. Also, a proposal regarding drainage improvements near the park was deferred due to cost but the Porter Stormwater Management Board will be advised of the problem.

A new 5-acre town park has been proposed as part of the recently approved The Trails of Porter 190-home development at the northeast corner of Wood Street and South Mineral Springs Road north of the CSX Railroad. A representative of B&R Development will be present March 18 to discuss the offer with the Park Board.

Raffin said residents in other nearby Porter subdivisions could use The Trails park, too. Proximity to the railroad and access to the site also were discussed. If the Park Board declines to accept the park, The Trails’ homeowners association would maintain it. The Trails also will have a trail system, wetlands park and other open space that would stay in association ownership.

In other business, Jim Miller said a curb would have to be cut and a drain moved if now-closed Rankin Street were to be reopened through Hawthorne Park; Raffin said Rankin was closed because motorists sped through the park so deterrents and fencing likely would be needed if reopened. Miller suggested using Rankin for parking only during baseball season at the adjacent diamond.

Town Council member Bill Sexton said, “I guarantee you’re asking for trouble if you open it as a street.” Zathoe Sexton noted if Rankin were used by the park, that department would have to maintain it; she said the escalating cost is making the project unlikely to occur.

Also Tuesday:

•First United Methodist Church of Porter was given permission to use the Hawthorne gazebo for an Easter sunrise service; the rental fee was waived although a refundable deposit will be posted.

•The $430 proposal of Hultman Flooring of Porter was accepted to refinish the wood floors in the Hawthorne community building; the other vendor bid $675.

•Board member Rondi Wightman was thanked for her $100 donation for the park’s 2008 Halloween Party.

•The Park Board set a closed executive session for March 18 to discuss job performance evaluation of individual employees.

Posted 2/20/2008