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TOWN OF JAMESTOWN Jamestown Park Board

Five Year Park and Recreation Master Plan Table of Contents

Section 1 -- Introduction

a. Mailing Address and Contact Information b. Name and Address of Park Board Members c. Name of Plan Author d. Date Plan Completed e. Description of Park Board f. Definition of Planning Area(s)

Section 2 – Goals and Objectives a. Of the Park Board b. Of the Parks and Recreation Department c. Of the Master Plan Itself

Section 3 – Community Features a. Natural and Landscape b. Man-made, Historical and Cultural c. Population Analysis

Section 4 – Supply Analysis a. Park Inventory b. Parks and Recreation Facilities/Programs

Section 5 – Accessibility a. ADA Coordinator b. Self-Evaluation of accessibly facilities c. Self-Evaluation of inaccessible facilities d. Information regarding public notice of ADA Requirements e. ADA Grievance Procedures f. ABA/ADA Rehabilitation Act Compliance

Section 6 – Public Participation a. Surveys

Section 7 – Needs Analysis a. Standards b. Needs indicated by Park Board c. Needs indicated by Public Input

Section 8 – New/Existing Facilities Map

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Section 9 – Priorities and Action Plan a. Statement of Specific Park Board Actions b. Timeline for Park Board Actions c. Cost Estimate for Action Plan Items d. Potential Funding Sources e. Public Presentation f. Resolution

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Section 1: Introduction: Town of Jamestown Jamestown Parks and Recreation PO Box 165 Jamestown, IN 46147 (765)676-6331 www.jamestownin.com

PARK BOARD MEMBERS:

Nancy Rice Board President 445 W Main St.

Jamestown, IN 46147 Term Expires: 12/31/2020

Dave Phelps

Vice President 922 E Main St.

Jamestown, IN 46147 Term Expires: 12/31/2022

Bette Neff Secretary

206 E Main St. Jamestown, IN 46147

Term Expires: 12/31/2021

Brenda Phelps Treasurer

922 E Main St Jamestown IN 46147

Term Expires: 12/31/2019

This Plan is authored by the Jamestown Park Board and was completed on 4/3/2019. In order to provide a higher standard of living and quality of life for its residents, the Town of

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Jamestown has made a commitment to develop its park and trail system to better serve the needs of its residents and surrounding community. The first step in achieving this goal was to create an updated Park and Recreation Master Plan. With the help of the Town Council, Greater Jamestown Area Fund, Town Residents, Jamestown Park Board, local Merchants and the DNR, the Town of Jamestown has created the following Five Year Master Plan for its parks. The planning process itself is as important as the document that it produced. The planning process forced the community to take a look at the needs of its park system and address them in an orderly manner. Many ideas were provided by a wide range of users and several issues were revealed as the process moved forward. The master plan was developed according to the ideas presented and prioritized, then goals were set.

Definition of Planning Area: Jamestown is a bi-county Town primarily located in Boone County. Please see the map in section 8 to view the map of the Town of Jamestown, indicating the line of Boone County and Hendricks County. The parks provide recreational facilities for the residents in these municipal boundaries and reach an additional 15 mile radius. This would include rural residents as well as those in Advance, Dover, Lizton, Pittsboro, New Ross, North Salem, and Mace. The Jamestown Park Board is appointed by the Jamestown Town Council per Ordinance 2016-11 establishing a Department of Parks and Recreation and Park Board pursuant to Indiana Code Section 36-10-3-3.

Section 2: Goals of the Plan

Goals were established by the Jamestown Park Board.

Provide a vision for the park system in the Town of Jamestown that will improve the quality of life for the residents.

Inventory the town’s recreational resources. Determine a plan of action for attaining the park and recreation improvements

noted in the master plan. Provide the master plan that is realistic and attainable for the town and its Park

Board.

PARK BOARD GOALS

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Section 3: Natural Features

The town is in the Walnut Creek watershed. Portions of the town flood during unusual heavy rains but only creates problems during these unusual weather events. The downtown park is not affected by flooding. The nature park is heavily affected by flooding due to runoff from surrounding areas and at these times parts of the paths become impassable. The town of Jamestown is primarily residential with few trees, the majority of which are deciduous. There is farmland surrounding the town, with various crops planted on a rotating basis.

In March of 1990, Mr. Benge had over 8,000 trees in different varieties planted on his 15.9 acres by Berg Warner Nurseries of Lizton. These seedlings grew into a beautiful forest. Of the 8,000 trees planted in March of 1990, over 90% had survived. The trees were thinned out in 2004 by Arbor Terra Consulting to promote new growth and allow maturing trees to grow and thrive. As of 2016, new evaluation has shown that the ash trees have all succumbed to the Emerald Ash Borer.

Unfortunately Mary Kathryn became ill and passed away in early 1997. In October 1997, Mr. Benge donated this land to the Town of Jamestown, dedicating it to her memory, thus creating the Pleasant Acres Nature Park.

Getting dead trees down is also another concern for the nature park. It has been recommended that we hire someone to cut the dead trees on the west side of the path near the entrance of the nature path. Most of the Ash trees are dead, many have fallen across paths and walkways, and these need to be cleaned out. Our vision is to keep a natural theme, low maintenance park and to preserve all wildlife, plants and trees. We continue to plan and discuss new ideas and listen to the public as to what they feel should be done to make it a better park.

Man-made, Historical, and Cultural Information

In the 18th century to early 19th century, the Shawnee, Miami and Potawatomi Indians were inhabitants of the nature park and surrounding area. A mural designed and painted by a Jamestown local resident hangs in the Jamestown Municipal Building displaying this part of our heritage. Location and Transportation: Jamestown is located at the southwest corner of Boone County. Jamestown parks are accessible by foot, bicycle or car. The town is 30 miles

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northwest of Indianapolis. State Roads 75, 234, and US 136 intersect at Main Street in Jamestown. CSX Transportation also runs east to west through Jamestown. Our town is just ½ of a mile from Interstate 74 which runs from Indianapolis west, past Danville, Illinois. Brownsburg, Crawfordsville, Jamestown, and Pittsboro are the only interchanges off of the interstate with commercial activity at this time. Annexation of the acreage near the interchanges has brought growth and jobs to the areas and there is still room for possibility of commercial growth. With the arrival of FTIC, a new road off State Road 75 will eventually connect with Darlington Road to the west. The new Jamestown Comprehensive Plan outlines the possibility of a new park in the area connecting the Sports Complex to the rest of town. The immediate planning area of the parks is primarily residential. Sidewalks extend from the Pleasant Acres Nature Park through the downtown area past the Downtown Park. Both parks are easily accessed by vehicles with parking available. Both parks have bike racks to allow bicycle access. The downtown area of Jamestown includes a war memorial monument in The Downtown Park, a library, The Jamestown Historical Society, and several businesses including an antiquities dealer. The Jamestown Historical Society has a community room open for public use, holds such events as the Annual Ladies Luncheon and cosponsors the Annual Bean Supper and the Annual Pancake Breakfast with the Fire Department. The museum is located on the site of the old Jamestown Press newspaper and the members put out the Jamestown Journal as a monthly publication, which is mailed free to all households in the community. Organizations dedicated to community improvement and provide assistance to the parks include the Lions Club, Mason’s Hazelrigg Lodge, American Legion, Churches, and the Jamestown Community Partnership (JCP). Of particular note, the JCP is upgrading The Cantina, which is located in The Downtown Park, and will be available for public use. All of these organizations donate money and volunteers to the parks. Granville Wells Elementary School is located three miles north of downtown and utilizes the park’s system for recreation and educational purposes. The Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts utilize the parks for education and provide volunteer services. They provide much needed assistance with park clean up and maintenance. The Jamestown Christian Church also provides recreation within the town limits. They have an 8/10 mile walking path around the property, a shelter house, and a little league baseball diamond and a playground area within their Virgil Benge Sports Complex. FTIC is at the outer limits of the town proper and is currently the only occupant of the newly formed industrial park. No homes border this industrial park and Interstate 74 access is just to the north of this. The shelter house in the Pleasant Acres Nature Park has been a real asset to the community. The shelter house contains several picnic tables as well as restroom facilities. The public has been using it for family reunions, church picnics, weddings and

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wedding receptions at no charge. Currently, donations are accepted to help fund maintenance and improvements, however, policies are in the works to set fees and begin charging for certain activities. The park is also used by surrounding schools as an educational tool and recreation. Many of our citizens walk and run the trails daily. Festivities at the Downtown Park are sponsored by the JCP and include a biweekly farmer’s market from spring to fall allowing the public to purchase fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade items; a back to school family oriented event in August that includes food and activities; Halloween festivities with games, costume contests, food, and treats; and a Christmas tree lighting event that includes carriage rides, food, venders, music. The Methodist Church, in combination with JCP, provides three movie nights in the summer with family friendly movies with snacks and beverages available. The annual Apple Cider Festival is held at the Pleasant Acres Nature Park the first Saturday in October. The highlight of this festival is a working antique cider press with a hands-on demonstration to include an educational component. This is a very popular, well attended, family-oriented event that includes live music, vendors, food, activities and contests.

Social and Economic Factors

A population growth of 17.83% from 883 to 1,044 in the 2017 Census is reflected in a total of 424 households. From 2006 through 2017, several new homes have been built and several vacant homes have been rehabilitated. We have a 16-unit government subsidized apartment complex for the low income and disabled residents. In addition, a 14-unit apartment complex, an 8-unit apartment complex, three new small sub-divisions (approximately 10 units) and 1 large sub-division of 18 units have been developed. Between 2006 and 2017, several properties have been annexed on Ross Road (Hendricks County) and Lowry Street (Hendricks County). Future annexations are planned in the Jamestown Comprehensive Plan completed in 2017.

In 2004, we annexed approximately 206 acres on Indiana 75 North. A new medical center has been constructed on part of the acreage and the Jamestown Christian Church built a new church and community area as well. They are currently in the process of working on the Virgil Benge Sport’s Complex. In 2015, Fukai Toyotetsu Indiana Corporation (FTIC) purchased 30 acres of this land and began construction of a 70,000 square foot stamping plant, which is now in full operation. In January of 2017 FTIC began constructions to double the size of the plant. There are approximately 90 additional acres in this area that are shovel ready for future growth.

As our Town continues to grow, the need for recreational facilities continues to increase. The use of our current facilities by locals has significantly increased in the last few years.

The Park and Recreation Fund no longer receives monies from the general property taxes of Boone County. Those distributions were cut in 2014. The Town does budget for park utility and maintenance expenses in the General Fund, however, those appropriations

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cover utility, mowing and minor maintenance expenses. There is very little funding for major projects. Donations from interested citizens have been and continue to be vital, as well as grant funding.

The economic base is mostly business, agriculture and industry. Jamestown is a small country community with a mean travel time to work of 30 minutes to areas such as Crawfordsville, Danville, Brownsburg, Pittsboro, Lebanon, or Indianapolis to work. The median household income in 2017 was $50,833, with a poverty rate of 17.1. FTIC has brought many jobs to the area allowing some to work closer to home.

Although the median age is 40.1 years, all ages use the parks for recreation and exercise. Children particularly enjoy playing on the playground at the Downtown Park, while teens enjoy the basketball courts. We include all age groups in all additional plans for the park.

Section 4: History of the Parks and Inventory

“Downtown Park”

Our downtown park is a small, active park located at 30 W. Main Street. It sits almost center of downtown and consist of 0.38 acres. This active park contains a shelter house that is approximately 960 square feet containing a total of 4 picnic tables with 1 table being wheelchair accessible. The shelter house was painted, brick planter boxes were added, and LED lighting installed in 2016. Installed at the same time, were new trash receptacles and a functional and decorative black fencing along the front boundary of the park to deter children from accidentally running into the roadway during play. A small out building containing approximately 522 square feet exists, that will be used by different community groups for concessions during their individual events, upon interior rehabilitation by the Jamestown Community Partnership in 2019. The exterior was repainted in 2016 with a mural by a local artist.

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The park also consists of a basketball court that was rehabilitated in 2015 with new goals, nets, backboards and a complete new concrete playing surface. The park currently has a climbing and sliding play structure, merry go round, and 2 swing sets, with one being focused for smaller children only. The water fountain was replaced in 2018. The war memorial remains intact and is still a functioning part of the downtown park landscape. In the near future, we are looking to make the park and landscape more accessible and appealing by replacing mulch and adding new playground equipment to include handicap accessible swings. Currently, this park is used on a daily basis for play, entertainment, recreation, and other local activities and fund raisers. The size of this park is limited, however, and cannot be

increased due to lack of space in the downtown area.

Downtown Park Goals

Keep park clean and maintained

Plant and maintain flower beds

Install more park benches

Update playground equipment

ADA compliancy

ADA accessible bathrooms to the public visiting the downtown park

Maintaining structures and new additions to the park

Maintenance and renovation of existing “Cantina” building

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Pleasant Acres Nature Park and Inventory

Pleasant Acres Nature Park is approximately 17 acres in size and is located at 833 East Main Street. The park contains many amenities and is used every day year-round by residents and visitors to Jamestown. It is most heavily used in the spring, summer and fall; however, it is being accessed daily during the winter months for walking and exercise. The nature park has become an attraction, not only to the residents of Jamestown, but also residents in surrounding Boone and Hendricks counties. The foot traffic has steadily increased over the years and is year-round. Pleasant Acres Nature Park boasts a superb shelter house that is 960 square feet and contains 6 picnic tables, two of which are wheelchair accessible. Also contained within the shelter house, are full restroom facilities and a drinking fountain. There is lighting in the shelter house for dusk hours and security. The shelter house has become a popular place for family reunions, picnics, weddings and receptions. The park is also frequently used by surrounding schools as an educational tool and for recreation. On the interior of the park, you can find paved trails that are wide enough to access a wheelchair. There are two wooden bridges that cross the tributary to Big Walnut Creek. The east bridge was rebuilt in 2014 with new decking and rip rap added underneath for erosion prevention. The interior is full of native Indiana trees and plenty of wildlife to add to the serene setting. You will also find a gazebo nestled beside one trail, where you may sit and observe the wildlife or take in a relaxing moment. The paved trail system will wind you around the interior of the park, into the beautiful woods and past the little log cabin

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that was donated by locals and installed in 2018. The trails will take you along the creek side and return you to the shelter house or parking lot where you may view the Monarch Butterfly garden that was installed in 2018 or the Rain garden on the west end of the park. There is plenty of parking whether you drive your vehicle or ride your bicycle to the park. There is a Walking Man Statue that was gifted to the park in 2017 to greet you at the entrance of the park, just in front of the main flower bed. Management of the parks consists of the four Members of the Jamestown Park Board who report to the Jamestown Town Council. Normal maintenance and upkeep is performed by the Utility/Street Superintendent and staff and includes mowing along the trails in the Nature Park and around the parking lot once a week in the summer, more if needed. Preventative maintenance is as time allows for town employees. Any additional work is done by volunteers. The Park and Recreation Fund set up receives monies which come from Cider Festival income and private donations. The Park Board was created in 2016 by Ordinance 2016-11. A copy of that Ordinance will accompany this document. The Town of Jamestown celebrated their 175th anniversary in 2005 and buried a time capsule to be opened the year of 2030 at their 200th Anniversary. A granite marker has been placed to commemorate the burial of the time capsule in 2007.

The Nature Park is located off US 136, with a small portion located in Boone County, (entrance to the park and shelter house area). The majority of the park is located in Hendricks County. This property has been annexed into the Town of Jamestown and is governed by the Town Council of Jamestown and the ordinances of the town. A map of Jamestown, showing layout of the town and corporation line, is located in section 8.

Virgil and Mary Kathryn Benge, long-time residents of Jamestown, had a vision for their property on the east edge of Jamestown. This property had been in the family for several generations. Virgil and Mary Kathryn wanted to build a “reflective park”. A park where you can walk the trails, take in the beauty, and get reacquainted with nature. They

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wanted to provide the community with a tool to educate and appreciate their surroundings while providing a “safe haven” for the wildlife.

The first phase of the project consisted of trails, bridges and a parking lot. This phase was completed by late 1999. A tributary to the west fork of the Big Walnut Creek bisects the park separating it into almost two equal halves. Two bridges were constructed to connect trails. The raingarden was added in 2012 to help with drainage and filtering of water that runs into the park off the parking lot. A grant from the Walnut Creek Watershed funded this project.

Surrounding schools and clubs visit the park for educational outings and recreation. A local member of the Nature Society, who placed and cared for bird houses in the nature park. The local scout troop placed markers identifying trees native to Indiana. The town, with continuing help of local volunteers, keeps our parks clean and maintained. Beginning in the spring, monthly clean up days are held in the nature park. Volunteers from around the area participate to keep our park clean and safe. A Mainstreet Organization, Jamestown Community Partnership, is leading discussion on renovation and beautification projects, which include new sidewalks and facelifts to businesses. In 2016, the JCP was awarded a grant from the Greater Jamestown Area Fund Grant Program in the amount of $10,000.00 to do a rehab project in the Downtown Park. Labor for that project was completed by nearly 20 local volunteers. A new fence was installed, both structures were painted, and new landscaping installed.

Pleasant Acres Nature Park Goals

Address erosion problems

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Maintain and improve all paths, trails, creek, and creek bed

Preserve the wetlands area and the growing vegetation along the creek banks

Maintain monarch garden, flower bed around sign, and rain garden

Maintain shelter house and all other facilities

Baby changing tables and handicap railings in bathrooms

Removal of dead trees and fallen brush

Repair benches, tables, and gazebo

Plant new trees and shrubs

Replace distance markers

The nature park has had major erosion to the creek bank and #2 bridge. (Restoration of this creek and creek bed is one of the focal points of the new 5-year plan.) The creek has been cleaned out but maintenance needs to be ongoing to remove trees which have fallen into it causing back up and erosion. In addition, trash continues to be a problem particularly after heavy rains. Most of the cleanup work is being done by board members and volunteers.

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Information regarding the Town of Jamestown, its history and the parks can be accessed by visiting our website. www.jamestownin.com

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Section 5: Accessibility Pleasant Acres Nature Park was designed to be handicap accessible by making the trails wide enough for wheelchairs. There is one handicap parking space and two handicap picnic tables in the shelter house. The restrooms are also handicap accessible. In 2011, the primitive path in the park was resurfaced and improved. The Downtown Park is handicap accessible with a handicap picnic table. We will continue making all accessible to the handicapped as we upgrade facilities or build new ones. For public accessibility questions, ADA, public notice, or grievance procedures, a resident may contact: Nancy Rice Board President 445 W Main St. Jamestown, IN 46147 nkayrice@embarqmail.com (765) 676-5928

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Section 6: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The Jamestown Park Board continues to receive public input for our park master plan. Regular public meetings are held monthly at the Jamestown Municipal Building. The Park Board reports monthly at Town Council Meetings regarding ideas for the parks. In 2017, a Community Improvement Survey was conducted by the Jamestown Community Partnership, a member of Indiana Main Street. Five hundred surveys were mailed out to all households in Jamestown. More were given out by such organizations as the Tri-Area Library that serves five surrounding counties. One hundred thirty-one surveys were returned. All requests, in no particular order, are for updated playground equipment, more flowers for both parks, replace gazebo with a wood one, resurface trails in nature park, a jungle gym, removal of fallen trees in nature park, repair of drinking fountains (done), a bathroom for the downtown park, clean-up and mulch for nature park, more park benches, distance markers for nature park trails, Christmas lights (done), more upkeep at nature park, mosquito treatment at nature park, a new dog park, and new mulch at downtown park. On January 07, 2019, the park board president surveyed the Jamestown Community Partnership at their meeting. Ten members were present. The JCP are working hard to complete the inside renovation of the downtown park concession building by June 2019. Positive feedback was voiced regarding the new fence at the downtown park. Other comments and concerns were trail improvements at the nature park that is needed because of erosion and cracked pavement, new tables in the nature park shelter, baby changing tables and handicap railings in both nature park bathrooms, and concerns about fallen trees and weeds in the nature park. On February 18, 2019, the park board president surveyed the Jamestown Lions Club at their monthly meeting. Ten people were present besides park board members. One suggestion was given regarding regular mowing and trimming done at the nature park as well as avoidance of Roundup use. On March 18, 2019 a public nature park walk through was held with The Park Board and two citizens in attendance as well as representatives from the Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Services. Suggestions included riprap on creek bank erosion, removing dead trees laying across or in the creek, planting native species in a coconut fiber blanket, reduce or stop mowing along path, removing invasive plants, and addressing sink hole on west edge of park possibly caused by broken field tile and fill with riprap. On March 26, 2019, The Park Board held a public meeting with one citizen attending and 2 citizens submitting recommendations. Suggestions included reinforcement of creekbanks and prevent future soil erosion with riprap, use of river rock for riprap instead of limestone, semi-annual clearing of debris and fallen trees from the creek bed, upgrade the trail surface, periodic clearing of trees within 10-15 feet of trails, control/attempt eradication of wild invasive honeysuckle bush.

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Section 7: NEEDS ANALYSIS Level of Service was used in the needs analysis. We have assessed the existing facilities and have spoken with locals regarding what they feel the future need is for the Parks Department. Regular public meetings are held monthly at the Jamestown Municipal Building to address needs. Notification to the public of these meetings is provided through the local publication of The Jamestown Journal and prominently displayed on the signage at the Jamestown Municipal Building. The Park Board reports monthly at Town Council Meetings. Public input is obtained throughout the community. The Community Improvement Survey conducted by the Jamestown Community Partnership suggested both parks include more flowers, more park benches, Christmas lights; nature park requests were to replace the gazebo with a wooden structure, resurface trails, removal of fallen trees, clean up and mulch, distance markers, and mosquito treatment; downtown park requests were for updated playground equipment, a jungle gym, a bathroom, and new mulch; a suggestion was made for a dog park. The survey of the Jamestown Community Partnership of 10 members suggested trail improvements, new tables in park shelter, baby changing tables and handicap railings in the bathrooms; concerns were raised about fallen trees and weeds. The Jamestown Lions Club survey of 10 members suggested regular mowing and trimming at the nature park and avoidance of roundup usage. The public walkthrough at the Nature Park with requests for riprap on creek bank erosion, removing dead trees, reduction of mowing, removal of invasive plants, and addressing sink hole. The Park Board public meeting suggestions were reinforcement of creek bank, prevention of future erosion, clearing of debris and fallen trees, upgrading trail surface, attempting eradication of wild invasive species. Items requested in more than one input method, proving it is a popular public need, is maintenance and improvement of the nature park. Suggested in more than one of the forums were removal of fallen trees and debris, addressing creek bank erosion, upgrading trail surface, eradicating wild invasive species, weeding/trimming, mowing, mulching; flowers were requested for both parks. The downtown park had a request for updated playground equipment and a similar request for a jungle gym.

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Section 8: New and Existing Facilities Map

The Downtown Park is located on St. Rd. 136 (West Main Street) in the downtown area between North High Street and North Darlington Street. The Pleasant Acres Nature Park is at the East edge of Jamestown along St. Rd. 136 (East Main Street). The address is 833 E. Main St. The first map shows the park site along St. Rd. 136 just before 800S, within Hendricks County, Eel River Township.

Section 9: Priorities and Action Plan

Our priorities for the Jamestown Parks reflect our vision for the park system to improve the quality of life for our residents. The Downtown Park priorities are to upgrade the playground equipment and assist JCP with renovation of the interior of the Cantina building, all while working toward ADA compliancy. The Pleasant Acres Nature Park priorities are to maintain and improve all paths, trails, and gardens; clean and remove debris from creek and trails; address ongoing erosion problems; attempt eradication of invasive species; baby changing tables and handicap railing in bathrooms with attention to ADA compliance; repair benches and gazebo; and install distance mile markers; all while working toward ADA compliance.

Year Site Action Cost Estimate Potential Source of

Funds

2019 Downtown Park Renovate interior of Cantina building

$10,000.00 Volunteers, Grants, and Donations

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2020 Downtown Park Update Playground Equipment

To be determined

Volunteers, Grants, and Donations

2019-2022 Both Parks ADA Compliancy

To be determined

Volunteers, Grants, and Donations

2019-2020 Pleasant Acres Nature Park

Baby Changing Tables and Handicap Railings

$600.00-$700.00

Volunteers, Grants, and Donations

2019-2024 Pleasant Acres Nature Park

Address Ongoing Erosion

Problems

To be determined

Volunteers, Grants, and Donations

2019-2024 Pleasant Acres Nature Park

Clean and Remove Debris from Creek and

Trails

To be determined

Volunteers, Grants and Donations

2019-2020 Pleasant Acres Nature Park

Distance Mile Markers

$1,000.00 Volunteers, Grants, and Donations

2019-2024 Pleasant Acres Nature Park

Repair Benches and

Gazebo

To be determined

Volunteers, Grants, and Donations

2019-2024 Pleasant Acres Nature Park

Maintain and Improve All

Paths, Trails, and Gardens

To be determined

Volunteers, Grants, and Donations

2019-2024 Pleasant Acres Nature Park

Attempt Eradication of

Invasive Species

To be determined

Volunteers, Grants, and Donations

The public was given one last opportunity to provide feedback and comment on the draft plan prior to its adoption by the Park Board. During this final public comment period, the latest version of the draft plan was made available for public feedback. At the Town Council Meeting, both the public and the council were presented with the plan, allowing feedback and the ability to check for accuracy of the reported public input results, needs assessment, and priorities. Notification of this meeting was provided through the local publication in the Jamestown Journal and prominently placed on the signage at the Jamestown Municipal Building. Members of The Town Council as well as members of the public reviewed the plan that was made available to them. There were no further suggestions made and no changes suggested by either The Town Council nor the public. The Five Year Park and Master Plan was accepted and approved as written. The Jamestown Park Board will continue to evaluate the progress of our goals with monthly assessments at our regular Park Board meeting with continuing review of our

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master plan. We will continue to seek public input as we work on our goals and priorities with consideration of future needs and projects.

ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE SECTION 504

OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

The Town of Jamestown has received and read the guidelines for

compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

issued by the United States Department of the Interior and will

comply with these guidelines and the ACT.

JAMESTOWN PARK BOARD _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ DATE____________________________

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ORDINANCE NO. 2016-11

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

AND PARK BOARD

AND AMENDING THE JAMESTOWN MUNICIPAL CODE

WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Jamestown, Indiana, having reviewed the

parks sections of the Jamestown Municipal Code and now having determined that the Code should

be amended; and

WHEREAS, the Council has determined that said amendments will result in better

efficiency of the management of the public parks and the Jamestown Department of Parks and

Recreation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN

OF JAMESTOWN, INDIANA, as follows:

Article 8, Chapter 1, Section 1 of the Jamestown Municipal Code is deleted in its entirely

and replaced as follows:

Section 1.

Chapter 1: Jamestown Department of Parks and Recreation and Jamestown Municipal Park

Board.

A. The Town of Jamestown Department of Parks and Recreation is hereby created

pursuant to Indiana Code Section 36-10-3-3.

B. The Jamestown Municipal Park and Recreation Board is hereby created under

Indiana Code 36-10-3-3 and shall be known as the Jamestown Municipal Park

Board.

a. The Jamestown Municipal Park Board, hereinafter referred to as “the

Board” shall be composed of four (4) members appointed by the

Jamestown Town Council. I.C. 36-10-3-4(b).

i. The members shall be appointed on the basis of their interest in

and knowledge of parks and recreation.

ii. The Jamestown Town Council waives the requirement that a

member of the Board be affiliated with a political party and that

not more than two (2) of the four (4) members of the Board be

Town Of Jamestown 5 Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan

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affiliated with the same political party, which waiver is

authorized by I.C. 36-10-3-4.1.

iii. Members of the Jamestown Municipal Park Board must be

residents of Jamestown.

iv. In addition, the Jamestown Municipal Park Board may have one

(1) ex officio member who is a member of the governing body of

Western Boone School Corporation, as selected by that body.

I.C. 36-10-3-4(b). The ex officio member shall have all the rights

of the regular board members, including the right to vote.

v. Municipal executives or members of the Jamestown Town

Council may not serve on the Jamestown Municipal Park Board.

b. Term of Appointments:

i. Initial appointments to the Board are as follows:

1. One (1) member for a term of one (1) year.

2. One (1) member for a term of two (2) years.

3. One (1) member for a term of three (3) years.

4. One (1) member for a term of four (4) years.

ii. As each term expires, each new appointment is for a four (4) year

term. All terms expire on the first Monday in January, but a

member continues in office until his or her successor is

appointed. I.C. 36-10-3-5(a)(1-4).

c. The Jamestown Town Council shall make initial appointments within

ninety (90) days after the creation of the Jamestown Municipal Park

Board. I.C. 36-10-3-5(c).

d. If an appointment for any new term is not made by the first Monday in

April, the incumbent shall serve another term. I.C. 36-10-3-5(d).

e. In making initial appointments, the Jamestown Town Council, in order to

provide continuity of experience in programs, shall give special

consideration to the appointment of members from previous park or

recreation boards. I.C. 36-10-3-5(e).

f. If a vacancy on the Board occurs, the Jamestown Town Council shall

appoint a person to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. I.C.

36-10-3-5(f).

C. Jamestown Municipal Park Board member removal procedure.

a. A member may be removed only for cause, upon specific written charges

filed against him or her. The charges shall be file with and heard by the

Jamestown Town Council, unless the Jamestown Town Council is

bringing the charges. If the Jamestown Town Council is bringing the

charges, the Jamestown Town Council shall appoint a hearing officer.

The person to hear the charges shall fix a date for a public hearing and

give public notice at least ten (10) days in advance of the hearing. At the

hearing, the member is entitled to present evidence and argument and to

be represented by counsel.

D. Regular and special meetings of the Jamestown Municipal Park Board, election

of officers, quorum. I.C. 36-10-3-8.

a. Meetings

i. All meetings of the Board are open to the public.

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ii. The Board shall fix and publicize the time and place of its regular

meetings.

iii. The Board shall meet at least quarterly. Special meetings of the

Board may be called by the Board President or by any two (2)

board members by written request to the secretary. The secretary

shall send to each member, at least two (2) days before a special

meeting, a written notice fixing the time, place and purpose of the

meeting.

b. Officers:

i. At its first regular meeting each year the Board shall elect a

president and a vice president.The vice president may act as

president during the absence or disability of the president.

ii. The Board may select a secretary either from within or outside its

membership.

c. Quorum

i. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum.

ii. Action of the Board is not official unless it is authorized by at

least three (3) members present and acting.

E. Duties of the Jamestown Municipal Park Board. IC 36-10-3-10

a. The Board shall:

i. Exercise general supervision of and make rules for the

department;

ii. Establish rules governing the use of the park and recreation

facilities by the public;

iii. Provide police protection for its properties and activities by

requesting assistance from the municipal police force;

iv. Appoint the necessary administrative officers of the department

and fix their duties;

v. Establish standards and qualifications for the appointment of all

personnel and recommend approval of their appointments,

without regard to politics, to the Jamestown Town Council;

vi. Make recommendations and an annual report to the Jamestown

Town Council concerning the operation of the Board and the

status of park and recreation programs in the district;

vii. Prepare and submit an annual budget to the Jamestown Town

Council;

viii. Appoint a member of the Board to serve on another kind of board

or commission whenever a statute allows a park board to do this.

F. Powers of the Jamestown Municipal Park Board. IC 36-10-3-11.

a. The Jamestown Municipal Park Board shall have all the powers listed in

IC 36-10-3, et seq.

G. Public or private sale of personal property declared to be surplus by the

Jamestown Municipal Park Board. IC 36-10-3-12.

a. The Board may sell, or order sold through a designated representative, by

public or private sale, any personal property that the Board has declared

to be surplus at a regular or special meeting and has declared to have an

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aggregate appraised value of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or less.

The Board must conduct the sale in accordance with IC 36-10-3-12.

H. Superintendent of the Jamestown Department of Parks and Recreation,

appointment and qualifications. IC 36-10-3-13.

a. The Jamestown Municipal Park Board may appoint a superintendent of

parks and recreation. The Board may not consider political affiliation in

the selection of the superintendent.

b. The superintendent must:

i. be qualified by training or experience in the field of parks and

recreation; or

ii. have a certification or an advanced degree in the field of parks

and recreation.

c. The superintendent of the Jamestown Department of Parks and

Recreation shall have the duties prescribed by Indiana Code 36-10-3-14.

d. If the Board determines that the size of the department’s operation

requires assistance for the superintendent, the Board may appoint, upon

the recommendation of the superintendent, one (1) or more assistants.

The Board shall determine their qualifications on a basis similar to that

prescribed for the superintendent. Assistants are directly responsible to

the superintendent and shall perform the duties specified by the

superintendent. I.C. 36-10-3-15.

I. Officers’ and employees’ bonds and crime policies for the Jamestown Municipal

Park Board. I.C. 36-10-3-16.

a. Every officer and employee who handles money in the performance of

duties as prescribed by this chapter shall execute an official bond for the

term of office or employment before entering upon the duties of the

office of employment.

b. The Jamestown Town Council may under I.C. 5-4-1-18 authorize the

purchase of a blanket bond or crime insurance policy endorsed to include

faithful performance to cover all officers’ and employees faithful

performance of duties. The amount of the bond or crime insurance

policy shall be fixed by the Jamestown Town Council and must be

approved by the Jamestown Town Council President.

c. All official bonds shall be filed and recorded in the Office of the County

Recorder of Boone County, Indiana.

d. The commissioner of insurance shall prescribe the forms of the bonds or

crime policies required by this section.

J. Jamestown Municipal Park Board Advisory Council and Special committees.

I.C. 36-10-3-17.

a. The Board may create an advisory council and special committees

composed of citizens interested in parks and recreation pursuant to I.C.

36-10-3-17.

K. Gifts, donations and subsidies; approval; disposition. I.C. 36-10-3-18.

a. The Board may accept gifts, donations and subsidies for parks as

outlined in I.C. 36-10-3-18.

L. Special taxing district for purposes of levying special benefit taxes for parks and

recreation. I.C. 36-10-3-19.

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a. The territory within the boundaries of the Town of Jamestown comprises

a special taxing district for the purpose of levying special benefit taxes

for park and recreational purposes.

b. The Jamestown Town Council shall determine and provide the revenues

necessary for the operation of the department or for capital expenditures

not covered by the issuance of bonds by:

i. A specific levy to be used exclusively for these purposes;

ii. A special appropriation; or

iii. Both of these methods.

M. Special nonreverting capital fund for the Jamestown Municipal Park Board;

purposes and withdrawals. I.C. 36-10-3-20.

a. Upon the request of the Board, the Jamestown Town Council may

establish, by ordinance, a special nonreverting capital fund for the

purposes of acquiring land or making specific capital improvements.

The Town Council may include in the Park Board’s annual budget an

item and an appropriation for these specific purposes.

b. Money placed in the nonreverting capital fund may not be withdrawn

except for the purposes for which the fund was created, unless the Town

Council repeals the ordinance. The Town Council may not repeal the

ordinance under suspension of the rules.

N. Cumulating building fund for Jamestown Municipal Parks; establishment, levy

of tax, collection of tax. I.C. 36-10-3-21.

a. The Jamestown Municipal Park Board may establish a cumulative

building fund under I.C. 6-1.1-41 to provide money for:

i. Building, remodeling and repair of park and recreation facilities;

or

ii. Purchase of land for park and recreation purposes.

b. In addition to the requirements of IC 6-1.1-41, before a fund may be

established, the proposed action must be approved by the Jamestown

Town Council.

c. To provide for the cumulative building fund, the Town Council may levy

a tax in compliance with IC 6-1.1-41 not to exceed one and 67

hundredths cents ($0.0167) on each hundred dollars ($100) of assessed

valuation of taxable property within the unit.

d. The tax shall be collected and held in a special fund known as the

Jamestown Park and Recreation Cumulative Building Fund.

O. Fees for park and recreation particular activities. I.C. 36-10-3-22.

a. Park and recreation facilities and programs shall be made available to the

public free of charge as far as possible. However, if it is necessary in

order to provide a particular activity, the Board may charge a reasonable

fee.

b. The Town Council may establish by ordinance, upon request of the

Board;

i. A special nonreverting operating fund for park purposes from

which expenditures may be made as provided by ordinance,

either by appropriation by the Board or by the Town Council; or a

special nonreverting capital fund for the purpose of acquiring

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land or making specific capital improvements from which

expenditures may be made by appropriation of the Jamestown

Town Council. The Town Council shall designate the fund or

funds into which the Jamestown Clerk/Treasurer shall deposit

fees from golf courses, swimming pools, skating rinks or other

major facilities requiring major expenditures for management and

maintenance. Money received from fees other than from major

facilities or received from the sale of surplus property shall be

deposited by the Clerk/Treasurer either in the special

nonreverting operating fund or in the nonreverting capital fund as

directed by the Park Board. However, if neither fund has been

established, money received from fees or the sale of surplus

property shall be deposited in the unit’s general funds. Money

from either special fund may be disbursed on approved claims

allowed and signed.

P. The Jamestown Municipal Park Board may acquire real property, issue bonds

and levy a special tax in accordance with I.C. 36-10-3 et seq.

Section 2. Provisions contained in the Jamestown Municipal Code inconsistent herewith are

hereby repealed.

Section 3. The amended provisions of the Jamestown Municipal Code should take effect on

and after passage and any publication required by law.

ALL OF WHICH IS CONSIDERED AND PASSED by the Town Council, Town of

Jamestown, this 28th day of December, 2016.