The Marshall County Parks Department is seeking the public’s input on potential development at Mike Miller Park in Draffenville.
The department will host a public forum beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 at the visitor’s center in Mike Miller Park to discuss ideas on the development of a master plan for expanding the park. In particular, the comprehensive plan will address developing an additional 46-acre tract of land the county acquired in 2016 for park expansion.
The Park Foundation met with representatives from Bacon, Farmer and Workman Engineering — the firm tapped to draft and design the plan — Sept. 27 to kick off the process. The foundation discussed preliminary ideas and suggestions received prior to the Sept. 27 meeting to consider, including potential construction of an amphitheater, better lighting on walking trails and pickle ball courts.
Park Foundation members also determined at that time to appoint a citizen steering committee to help guide that development.
“That way we can also hear back from the citizens of the community,” Judge-Executive Kevin Neal said during the meeting. “That’s to help us kind of put together what one ideas and vision the community has and how we can make that fit in our budget and resources.”
Public forums are a part of that process, as well.
Parks Director Dennis Foust said in a previous interview the foundation would develop that plan based on community wants and needs, and then be able to prioritize and construct slowly.
“Hopefully the whole idea is that we can make intelligent decisions about what we do in terms of park expansion,” Foust said. “It may be that it’s five years before we can do anything, but there will be some of these things that won’t have a great deal of cost. … But major projects, obviously, if we say, ‘Hey, this is something we want to shoot for,’ then we have to figure out how to finance it.”
Those who are unable to attend the Oct. 26 forum may email ideas or concerns to mikemillerpark@gmail.com.