Parks board discusses skateboard park, Showse lights, vandalism

By Karen Cornelius

The Vermilion Parks and Recreation Board met on Tuesday, September 19, and held one of their shorter meetings of the year. The following briefs are from the official minutes:

Park use permits: The board approved several park use permits for groups and activities. Main Street Vermilion requested the use of Victory Park for the Farmers Market on Saturdays from June 23 to September 8, 2018. This was approved. Main Street Vermilion also requested the use of Sherod Park for the Triathlon for August 16-19, 2018 for all-day. This was approved. A community use permit was also given to the Dirty Dozen for a softball fundraiser for Saturday, October 7, 2017 at Showse Park from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Rec director’s report: Rec director Chad Kuhns reported that EHOVE is working on the baseball dugout behind Vermilion High School. He said the cost should not exceed $2,000. The board voted to approve this work.

Museum house tear down/skate park: City Service director Tony Valerius announced the small house adjacent to the former museum used for a shipwreck center was being torn down starting on Tuesday, September 19. It should only take one week. He also said that council brought up several issues regarding the materials on the ramps at the skateboard park that needed replaced. He is looking into getting a price to replace the materials. He also stated that the city removed the cement blocks and wooden pallets participants were using to build their homemade ramps. Parks member Brudney said the bleachers located in the park are dangerous as they have removed the end caps which have sharp edges. He added the kids are worried the city is going to close the park. Some mentioned they have seen drug use at the park.

Parks director report: Parks supervisor Dana Corogin stated that the Showse Park light poles have been ordered and she thanked the following people who donated toward the poles: WS Inc., Americut, Vermilion in Bloom, KS & Associates, Peter and Dana Corogin. She additionally reported on some vandalism that occurred at Showse Park. Vandals broke into the shed and stole the gator that Hot Stove purchased. A tree and the fence were damaged, and they turfed areas.

Corogin commended the Parks maintenance guys who have really stepped up this summer. The beaches look good and she has received good comments. She will pursue talking to the Lions Club to see if they are interested in refurbishing the historic marker in Victory Park that needs to be stripped and powder coated, and the lettering and design details repainted. Lastly, she thanked everyone for running a positive parks levy campaign.

Wakefield House Development Committee: A subcommittee on the museum property, the Wakefield House Development, did not have any new information to report.

Financial report: It was said as of July, the ending fund balance was $111,000.

Parks board schedule: The board will meet again on October 17, at 7 p.m. at the municipal complex on Decatur Street.