The Monroe County Parks and Recreation Board will vote on proposed improvements for Monroe County parks, including Ellettsville’s Flatwoods Park, at its March meeting.
The upgrades, which will begin this summer if approved, will include improvements to the trail system, bridges and playgrounds.
Planned improvements include trail maps with distances for all Flatwoods Park trails, as well as general improvements and maintenance for specific ones.
On the concrete interpretive trail through the woods, the department plans to:
- Add benches.
- Cut down dead trees.
- Remove brush.
- Side dress shoulder with gravel.
- Inspect and renovate big bridges.
On the grassy Southern Trail, plans are to:
- Re-cut trail.
- Add additional loop.
- Add on culvert.
- Add directional sign posts.
- Improve stone crossing.
A crushed limestone path from shelter No. 3 to the open playing field and another from the playground to the basketball court are also planned.
Funding for the projects comes from the department’s county general fund and the park nonreverting fund.
Kelli Witmer, administrative assistant at the parks department, said “projects are always subject to change pending public comment. Public comments and requests may be made any time to the department.”
The Monroe County Parks and Recreation Board and the Monroe County Parks and Recreation Foundation will have their next meetings Feb. 20 at the Showers Building in Bloomington, Room 100B, at 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
They are encouraging people to attend and provide input on their five-year master plan before it goes to a vote at the March 20 meeting.
Originally published in Ellettsville Journal, 2013. Republished here for archival and portfolio purposes.