- one or more desks (likely)
- chairs, non-folding (likely)
- round table (possible)
- small filing cabinet (possible)
Saturday afternoon 11.5.2016: all four pickleball courts had players on them, as did the basketball court. People driving by stopped to check it out. First time pickleball players from Bridlewood tried the game, and they were good. Kids found a way to make up for the lack of a splash pad.
The Harris Township Board – Karen Vargo, Jeff Broadwick and Chuck Sulok – and the trustee, Ken Lindsay are thrilled people are using the park just a few short days after it opened on Wednesday 11.2.2016.
The courts have been painted. Benches, bike loops and garbage cans are installed. And construction fencing has been removed. Enjoy it while the weather is nice, and tell us what you think. Please keep off the sprouting and growing grass.
Stay tuned for opportunities to learn how to play pickleball.
Planned for this year — planting of trees and shrubs, removal of poles, and installation of lights.
Planned for next year or beyond — playground equipment and a shelter or two.
The large parking lot has a new surface! The old one had larger chunks of recycled pavement, and was getting uneven in many spots. The new surface is made from screened, recycled asphalt. Sincere thanks to the County Commissioners, and to Chip at the County Highway Department for making the materials available to the township.
Northern Indiana Construction spread and compacted the material. Thanks to them as well.
If you see anyone abusing the new surface, including doing donuts in the lot, please get a license number and let us and the county police know about it. It only takes one bad apple to ruin a lot (pun intended), and unfortunately we have at least one horrible apple out there.
The weather delayed the process a few times, but a base coat and some of the blue and green top coat has been applied to the basketball and pickleball courts. NO PLAY YET, please. A couple more days work once the weather is nice enough again, and we should be good to go. An announcement will be posted.
Some furnishings will be installed yet this year. We also plan to install some trees, take out ples and install lights. Thanks for your patience.
Please stay off the grass, as we’ve hydro-seeded again.
Not all the ‘action’ is at Elm Road. The parking lot at Harris Township Park is getting a new surface. The project might be completed yet this week. Of course, your township officials are delivering this upgrade while keeping down costs.
Many thanks to St. Joseph County, and to Northern Indiana Construction.
If you visit the park often, we’d love to hear what you think about the upgrade. And, please keep an eye out for those who may try to damage the new surface … as we’ve had some issues in the past. Thanks!
The new lawn has been applied at Elm Road Pedestrian Park, via a hydro-seeding process. Park construction is winding down, but there are a few weeks left until the park is open. In the mean time, PLEASE let the grass start growing and stay off the courts if they are in the process of being painted. If we have to pay to rework anything, it will be wasted money. [Your Harris Township Trustee hates waste!]
What is left to do this year? Fencing. Court painting, sealing and drying. Planting trees and shrubs. Installing benches, garbage cans and bike lock-up loops. Completion of the ball diamond infield. Removal of some light poles and installation of others.
After this year the playground will be improved, and one or more pavilions may be built. Please watch for fundraisers — including by Granger Sunrise Rotary –for your opportunities to help make future improvements a reality.
Elm Road Pedestrian Park – Elm Ped Park – EPP
Applications are being accepting and interviews conducted for the position of Grounds Keeper, with an initial start date of late October 2016. Interested parties should contact the Trustee at HarrisTrusteeLindsay@gmail.com or 574-272-2371 so that an interview can be scheduled by October 6th.
The position will be seasonal (approximately March through November), and part time (approximately 20 hours per week) on a relatively flexible schedule, paid at a competitive hourly rate based on experience and skills. No benefits. The position requires a vehicle, with mileage to be reimbursed.
Responsibilities include oversight of two township parks and two cemeteries, mowing the lawn at one park, tree maintenance, trash removal, inspecting playgrounds and courts, court and sidewalk cleaning, care of courts and nets, minor repairs and installations, and working with service providers. Also: being on-call via phone or text, ownership of problems, plus planning for and implementing improvements across a variety of areas including parking, lighting, signage, bird habitats, rentals, and security.
Don’t schedule a game yet, but get ready. The courts are taking shape, with fencing and goals going up. The walkway can be seen meandering into and out of the park, defining the two sections of the playground area. A park is emerging from all the dust!
We’re still on track for October completion, but please stay out of the park and off the play surfaces. A special coating needs to be applied to cured and very clean surfaces.
From talk to reality — the plans for Harris Township’s Elm Road Pedestrian Park are almost reality. The plan includes a walkway to connect the sidewalk south of State Road 23 at Elm Road, across the fire station lot, and into Elm Ped Park. From there, it is a short distance to the library, and further connections. The picture shows the walk under construction, reaching from the fire station apron north into the park area. One more month and it should be ready to use. Stay tuned.
The Township is thrilled to piggy-back the success of Friends of Granger Paths., by providing a park as a destination on the Granger Path.
