Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
BLOOMFIELD – Conceptual plans for a future park that would link the historic USS Constitution to Naval Support Activity, Crane Division through education and recreation were released last week.
The Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University will prepare a site analysis and preliminary design for a proposed USS Constitution Park, located near the WestGate Technology Park in Daviess County.
Clay Chafin, director of the Eppley Center, discussed the planning for the park during a meeting of the White River Military Coordination Alliance at the Greene County Event Center in Bloomfield. The Eppley Center analysis will determine site suitability, elements of the park, cost estimate and timeline. A community survey will measure community interest.
The USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat, is docked in Boston, Massachusetts, but it’s a stand of white oak trees at NSA Crane that, literally, keeps the ship afloat.
At NSA, the U.S. Navy maintains “Constitution Grove,” a forest of white oaks that are grown for the sole purpose of restoring and refitting the USS Constitution, which happens regularly.
Matt Craig, director of Crane Community Support Crane for Radius Indiana, said the vision for the park is to link the ship nicknamed “Old Ironsides” after sailors witnessed British cannon balls bounce off the sides of her 22-inch thick hull during the War of 1812, to NSA and its role in maintaining the ship.
He said the idea evolved over many conversations with Greg Jones, executive director of Southern Indiana Development Corporation.
“Conceptually, what we’ve talked about is a one-quarter scale replica of the USS Constitution, which gets you something that is 80-to-100 feet long and 50 feet tall at the top of the mast and potentially one long cylindrical room below deck that you could have kids come in and do STEM activities and offer virtual tours of the real USS Constitution,” Craig said.
Interpretive features such as plaques or markers could also be included.
“We think it’s a great opportunity to connect Indiana to the Navy. It really connects the base to the USS Constitution and the Navy,” Craig added.
Chafin said the Eppley Center will research the project in three phases: Initiation, Development and Delivery.
The current initiation phase will:
- Develop a work plan and timeline
- Create a document sharing site
- Engage with stakeholders and the community
- Prepare a site analysis for constraints and opportunities
“It will be a significant asset for the area,” Chafin said. “It’s really unique and we’re excited to be a part of it.”
Community feedback is an important part of the first phase in determining USS Constitution Park features and amenities and Eppley is seeking the public’s input. A questionnaire is available for community/stakeholder members. To receive a copy of the survey, send an email to Colleen Durkin-Blackburn at [email protected].