Page 23 - New Allen Alliance Digital Book

Project Activities: Parks

There are many economic benefits to quality park and recreation investment within the grounds of the recently completed community center within the Meadowbrook
rural communities, including business attraction, tourism and events that contribute Rural Revival Target area. Monroeville has received a Land and Water Conservation
to local economies, increases in property values of the surrounding areas, and Fund grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and with an
tax revenue on adjacent land. Parks also have social benefits of providing places additional commitment from the Allen County Commissioners will be proceeding
for people to gather and enjoy physical activity. Open spaces also provide for with bidding the $900,000 project this fall. Harlan, Hoagland, and Woodburn have
stormwater retention. Unfortunately, though, parks are often seen as non-essential each identified community park improvements.
and do not receive the needed funding.
In 2017, construction was completed on the New Haven – Adams Township
According to the Allen County Parks and Recreation Plan (2018 – 2022), The Community Center, which now provides a variety of amenities and programming.
Indiana Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan 2016-2020 (SCORP) provides a look Nearly three decades of studies and investigation by the Park Board clearly
at the supply of outdoor recreation acreage in Indiana, thereby providing another demonstrated the desire of residents to have a facility that would provide for
measurement of assessing outdoor recreation needs. The SCORP uses a Level of comprehensive and diversified programming all year. Original estimates were that
Service (LOS) measurement which is actually a process of strategic planning that the center would generate 550 members for the restricted parts of the facilities.
considers the unique aspects of individual communities and measures demand Membership is already at 770.
for recreation opportunities, current park and recreation resources, and the needs
and preferences of community residents. Using these standards, the SCORP The intent of the master plan for the property surrounding the community center
recommends that each county provide 55 acres of park and recreation areas is to simply build on success and to be a grand example of the New Haven Parks
per 1,000 people (55 acres/1000). According to these standards, 20 acres/1,000 and Recreation’s Vision: “Building the community and increasing the quality of
should consist of public local recreation acres owned by municipalities, townships, life through people, parks, and programs.” Proposed improvements will provide
counties, or private organizations that allow public access. The remaining 35 a diverse range of amenities for all New Haven and Adams Township residents,
acres/1,000 should be public regional recreation areas, such as parkland owned by including two sand volleyball courts, four pickleball courts, and a basketball court.
the State or Federal government. Currently, the total amount of publicly accessible These will provide opportunities for recreational games while also impacting
land provided to Allen County residents by municipal, township, and county the economic stability of the area by bringing people here for tournaments and
governments, and land privately owned but open for public use is 4,822.12 acres, recreational leagues. The inclusive playground will provide an active space for
or 13.6 acres/1,000…This represents a significant shortfall based upon the total young visitors of all abilities. Due to this extreme success, the needs of the
recommended county standard of 55 acres/1,000 specified in the SCORP… As a Community Center continue to grow. To accommodate this, the building will be
result of the above significant deficiencies, the SCORP identified Allen County as a expanded to incorporate additional restroom and locker room space.
“critical county”.”
Within the East Allen Rural Revival portfolio, each of the communities has identified
an outdoor recreation project. For Leo-Cedarville and Grabill, that investment
involves the construction of the Cedar Creek Parks Trail, which is a recreation
amenity providing connection to six community parks throughout Cedar Creek
Township. The New Haven–Adams Township Community Center Park Project
is proposed for Stellar funding and involves the development of a regional park on

MONROEVILLE COMMUNITY PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
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