Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
FRENCH LICK – Building a community park, where kids can play, families enjoy a picnic and anybody can take a leisurely walk, has been a goal of the French Lick Town Council for quite a few years. On Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m., the town council will unveil its plans for its first-ever park.
The three-acre park will be built on lower Hancock Street and will have restrooms, a shelter house, lighted walking trails and playground. The town tore down blighted homes to make room for the park.
The Parks at Cherry Hill will be built in two phases, with the first phase starting this year. The French Lick Redevelopment Commission will pay for construction using funds from its Tax Increment Finance district; estimated cost is $3 million. The park on the southwest side of town will link residential neighborhoods, including several new homes, and the State Road 56 corridor.
Longtime French Lick Town Council member Marlene Noble said she always felt the town needed a park but the project didn’t have broad council support until recently.
“The unveiling is going to be really exciting,” she said of the Wednesday public session.
The town maintains a basketball court, Springs Valley schools has playground equipment and there are athletic fields at a park in West Baden but the Town of French Lick has never had its own multi-use park, Noble said.
Dave Harner, member of the French Lick Redevelopment Commission, said the park is something the town has needed and it will be within walking distance for several residential neighborhoods.
Midwest Engineers will be on hand with visual renderings and details of the project. Project designers and town officials will be available for questions or comments following presentations.
Phase 1, which will begin as soon as possible, will include a playground, restrooms, shelterhouse and walking trail. The trail will take walkers from Hancock, down along a creek and by the new housing project.
Phase 2 will be built on the upper section of the park and will have pickleball and basketball courts and seating where there’s a scenic overlook.
The unveiling will take place at French Lick Town Hall, 7659 W. Hunters Run Drive.