2010-2014 Master Plan

2010-2014 Master Plan

Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department

TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface

Organizational Commitment Organizational Information Community Overview Park Security & Safety Foundation Funds

Needs Analysis

Action Schedule Maps Appendix

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PREFACE Introduction

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Introduction Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department has a long tradition of preserving and maintaining public parkland for all citizens of Vigo County and visitors. Vigo County parkland is dedicated to natural areas where families and individuals can recreate through hiking, camping, playing, fishing, boating, gathering, learning, and so much more. Vigo County public parkland currently covers approximately 2,000 acres of open space and natural areas.

Operating in a climate of drastically reduced budgets and limited streams of additional financial support, this plan recognizes that for the near future, the Department may have to operate on a “needs only� basis. The planning process for this plan included multiple opportunities to determine the needs of the citizenry. The results of this analysis determined priorities, an appropriate action schedule, and a desired map of facilities and locations for 2014. In the face of this economic downturn, facilities must still be maintained, outdated and substandard amenities fixed or replaced, and new land developed.

The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department is determined to operate with optimism and a cando attitude. Commitment to the essential service of parks and recreation is of upmost importance to the administrative and maintenance staff, and supported by the Park Board. The 2010-2014 Master Plan provides the appropriate road map for Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department to implement the needs of the public with a sound understanding of our objectives and purpose.

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ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTMENT Adoption Resolution

Rehabilitation Act, Section 504 Compliance Form Goals of the Plan

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Adoption Resolution WHEREAS, the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board is aware of the parks and recreation needs of the residents of Vigo County, Indiana; and WHEREAS, the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board realizes the importance of pro-active, sound planning in order to meet the needs of its residents; and WHEREAS, the plan provides detailed recommendations for parks and recreation facilities, and recreation programming in a priority and action schedule; and WHEREAS, the plan meets the requirements of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, thereby making Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department eligible for State and Federal grants administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; and WHEREAS, Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department followed a planning process that contained public involvement, including a community-wide needs assessment survey, focus group meetings with community organizations, and a public meeting for purposes of soliciting input for said plan; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board does adopt the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department 2010-2014 Master Plan as its official plan for the next five years, for the growth and development of parks and recreational opportunities in Vigo County.

Passed and signed this 26th day of April, 2010 ATTEST: ___________________________________ John A. Daniels, President Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board

___________________________________ Robert L. Wright Vigo County Attorney

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Rehabilitation Act, Section 504 Compliance Form ASSURANCE OF COMPLIANCE SECTION 504 OF THE REHIBILITATION ACT OF 1973 The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board (Applicant) has received and read the guidelines for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 issued by the United States Department of the Interior and will comply with these guidelines and the Act.

SIGNATURE

________________________________ APPLICANT PRESIDENT ________________________________ (President’s Printed Name)

SIGNATURE

________________________________ APPLICANT SECRETARY ________________________________ (Secretary’s Printed Name)

DATE

________________________________

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Goals of the Plan To provide an accurate representation of the current state of the Vigo County parks system.

To seek and understand community input through several methods of data and information collection.

To gather research and other information from credible sources.

To ensure that recreational facilities, amenities, and programs provided are accessible to all populations, otherwise to create a plan to make facilities, amenities, and programs inclusive in the near future.

To construct a transparent needs analysis for planning using public input, national parks and recreation standards, and expert assistance.

To submit the 2010-2014 Master Plan to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Outdoor Recreation, adhering to the required timeframe for a first draft by January 15, 2010 and a finalized plan by April 15, 2010.

To receive approval from Indiana Department of Natural Resources to be eligible for State and Federal grants administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

To seek other grant opportunities in congruence with the 2010-2014 Master Plan.

To utilize the 2010-2014 Master Plan as a point of reference and road map for future facility renovation and construction, park development, recreational opportunities, and natural resource management.

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ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION Definition of Planning Area

Vision and Mission

Board Structure

Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board

Staff Structure

Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Staff History of Vigo County Parks and Recreation Dept.

Budget

Natural Resource Management & Conservation Practices Vigo County Park Locations (Includes Narrative)

Special Events and Programming

Services

Partnerships

Accessibility and Universal Design

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Definition of Planning Area The planning area for Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department is defined as any public parkland located within Vigo County limits that is not owned, maintained, or managed by the City of Terre Haute, or the State of Indiana, and owned by Vigo County. All citizens that reside within Vigo County contribute directly to the county tax draw; therefore, Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department planning area serves all citizens of Vigo County, including those that reside within Terre Haute city limits.

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Vision The vision of the Vigo County Parks Department is to improve the quality of life and provide meaningful experiences for all citizens and visitors.

Mission The mission of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department is to improve the quality of life and provide meaningful experiences for all citizens and visitors through expertly maintained areas and facilities, program services, leisure education, accessible water, and the preservation and protection of the environment and natural resources allowing for social activity, exploration, and solitude.

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Board Structure Vigo County Council passed Ordinance No. 1 on November 5, 1965, establishing the Vigo County Park and Recreation Board in accordance with Indiana Code 36-10-3, Indiana Park and Recreation Law. The first Board was appointed on December 13, 1965 and held its first meeting on January 25, 1966. The Ordinance was amended on October 26, 1982, reestablishing the Board. On October 26, 2009, the Board approved amending the name of the organization to Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department, adding an ‘s’ to Park to identify the expansion of the parks system. This officially amended the Board name also, hereafter referred to as the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board.

The Parks and Recreation Board is a separate taxing unit and an independent policy-making body.

The Board consists of seven members, who serve four-year terms. Two members of the Board are appointed by the judge of the Circuit Court, one member by the County Commissioners, and two by the county council. These members are appointed on the basis of their interest in and knowledge of parks and recreation. No more than one member appointed by these entities shall be affiliated with the same political party. The County Extension Committee (Board) may select one of its members, the County Extension Coordinator or the County Extension Agent, to serve as an ex officio board member. Thus far, the County Extension Agent has served as board member. Lastly, the Mayor of Terre Haute also appoints one member as an ex officio board member. The member appointed by the Mayor must be affiliated with a different political party than the member appointed by the County Commissioners. By virtue of the appointment process, the Board is bi-partisan.

At each January meeting, the current Board members nominate individuals on the Board to serve in the officer positions. Officers of the Board are elected by the members of the Parks Board.

The Parks Board meets the fourth Monday of each month, unless conflict forces an alternate date.

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Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board Vigo County Parks and Recreation Board c/o Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Vigo County Government Building 155 Oak Street Terre Haute, IN 47807 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Eddy Adams Term ends: 12/31/2012 Appointed by: Circuit Court Judge John Daniel Term ends: 12/31/2010 Appointed by: Vigo County Council John Hancewicz Term ends: none Appointed by: County Extension Board Burch Harlan Term ends: 12/31/2012 Appointed by: Vigo County Commissioners Don Nattkemper Term ends: 12/31/2012 Appointed by: Vigo County Council Sally Stokes Term ends: co-term with Mayor of Terre Haute, 2011 Appointed by: Mayor of Terre Haute Carolyn Toops Term ends: 12/31/2014 Appointed by: Circuit Court Judge

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Staff Structure Management and oversight of daily operations of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department is the responsibility of the Superintendent, who is appointed by the Parks Board. The Superintendent’s position is equivalent to other county department heads. The Superintendent directly supervises the Assistant Superintendent. Both positions require post-secondary education and an appropriate length of relevant work experience. The Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent, along with an Administrative Assistant comprise the Administrative Staff.

Daily operation is completed by the Maintenance Staff. Currently, the Maintenance Staff consists of one Mechanical-Electrical Technician, three Foreman, and seven Maintenance Specialists. The positions require various lengths of relevant work experience.

The parks department employs 14 full-time staff. Part-time staff includes seasonal employees: General Maintenance, Head Lifeguard, Lifeguards, Security, Gatekeepers, and Pioneer Village Caretaker.

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Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Staff Full-Time Staff Keith Ruble, Superintendent Start Date: March 1, 1973 Kara Kish, Assistant Superintendent Start Date: September 1, 2009 Julia Farr, Administrative Assistant Start Date: May 20, 1997 Earl Slavens, Foreman Start Date: January 1, 1978 Jimmie Pierce, Foreman Start Date: February 11, 1983 Robert Merritt, Foreman Start Date: February 24, 2003 Larry Wilson, Mechanical-Electrical Technician Start Date: February 5, 1990 Robert Branch, Maintenance Specialist Start Date: November 12, 1999 Brenda French, Maintenance Specialist Start Date: October 20, 1998 David Gray, Maintenance Specialist Start Date: June 1, 2001 Neoda Howard, Maintenance Specialist Start Date: July 17, 1990 Jerry Julbert, Maintenance Specialist Start Date: April 4, 1997 Mark Kimmel, Maintenance Specialist Start Date: October 27, 1997 Dane Montgomery, Maintenance Specialist Start Date: May 10, 2004

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Part-time Seasonal Staff (Hired annually, employed May 1-October 15) General Maintenance Head Lifeguard Lifeguards Gatehouse Attendants Security Pioneer Village Caretaker

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History of Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department 1961 In February, the Indiana Advisory Committee on Recreation completed a study of recreation in Vigo County, Indiana, to determine the adequacy of programs being conducted for Vigo County citizens. This study was a portion of a statewide survey done of all counties for the purpose of developing a state recreational blueprint.

The Citizens Recreation Committee, composed of representatives from more than thirty civic, service, labor, and governmental units, was organized in March to study the Park and Recreation Act of 1955, which gave authority to the county to establish a county Park Board.

In response to the immediate interest of the local citizens to the problems of recreation, the report of the committee was released by James R. Champlin, Recreation Consultant and Secretary of Governor Welsh's Advisory Committee, to the city of Terre Haute at a public meeting on April 12. Summarized, the recommendations of the committee were: 1. The civil city, county government, Vigo County School Corporation, and Indiana State Teachers College cooperate in organizing a countywide Park and Recreation Department with a Superintendent of Parks and Recreation; 2. A master plan be developed for the orderly acquisition, development, and operation of park and recreation facilities; 3. A broad, balanced program be developed to meet the needs and interests of all citizens of the community; 4. The community embrace the school-community concept of recreation and work cooperatively; 5. The program be adequately funded for a quality program to exist.

Following the meeting, H.E.L.P. (Housewives’ Effort for Local Progress), the Citizens Recreation Committee, the area Chamber of Commerce, Vigo County Extension Service, and several interested citizens worked diligently to persuade the county leaders to establish the Vigo County Park and Recreation Department.

1965 On November 5, the Vigo County Council adopted Park and Recreation Ordinance No. 1 establishing the Vigo County Department of Park and Recreation, repealing all ordinances in conflict therewith. The ordinance was passed by a vote of four to two. Supporting the ordinance was: John W. Brentlinger, Stanley Cooper, David T. Reed, and Everett Branam, 12

President.

On December 13, Circuit Court Judge H. Ralph Johnston appointed Maynard Neimeyer, Jack Wood, Spoke Hazen, and Mrs. R. L. Winklepleck to the first Park Board. Serving as an ex-officio member was John D. Zerr of the Vigo County Cooperative Extension Service.

1966 The first Park Board meeting was held on January 25. The meeting was chaired by Dick Molby of the Indiana State Conservation Department of Natural Resources. Officers elected were: Maynard Neimeyer, Chairman; Jack Wood, Vice Chairman; and Maxine Winklepeck, Secretary.

Dick Molby stressed the need for the formation of a county park system comprehensive plan to be eligible for matching funds under Public Law #566 and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1964.

A public meeting was held on March 8 to obtain input from local citizens. At that time, a pioneer village for historical education and a greenhouse for botany and ecological studies were mentioned as areas the Vigo County Park and Recreation Department could meet local educational needs.

In October, the Park Board hired Paul N. Funkhouser to draw up a Vigo County Park and Recreation Supplement, subject to approval of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Bill Beach, from the Purdue Extension Service, was instrumental in gathering data for the supplement as well as the final Master Plan in November, 1967.

1967 Richard Norris was appointed as the first Superintendent of the Vigo County Park and Recreation Department at the March Park Board meeting. He assumed duties on April 1.

On June 27, the first acquisition of property took place at a special Park Board meeting held at Bohannon's Restaurant when the Park Board signed an agreement with the County Commissioners for county property owned in Linton Township. Harry Brentlinger, County Commissioner, in particular, was instrumental in obtaining 140 acres of land from the Peabody Coal Company for use as a park. The quitclaim deed was signed on August 3. Twenty days later, the land was named Fowler Park in memory of Captain Eugene Fowler, the first man from Vigo County to lose his life in the Vietnam War. Fowler Park was developed as a multipurpose park with camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, boating, playground, picnic shelters, and a pioneer village.

1969 Upon the resignation of Richard Norris, David V. Beres was named Superintendent of the Vigo County Park and Recreation Department in September, 1969.

The children of Dan and Iva Wood donated a log cabin, constructed prior to 1830, to the Park and Recreation Department.

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1970 The cabin donated by the children of Dan and Iva Wood was reconstructed at Fowler Park by the American Federation of Teachers, Local 734. The original intent was for the cabin to be a gatehouse; however, its possibilities as an educational tool became evident, and it gave birth to the present day Pioneer Village.

The "little red schoolhouse" built in 1888 in New Goshen in Fayette Township, was deeded to the Park and Recreation Department by the Vigo County School Corporation on April 27, as a historical building for educational tours and community meetings. The building was restored, and a small play area was established in 1973 near the school. Lack of use of the property by local citizens resulted in its transfer to the Fayette Township Trustee in 1987.

The Park Board purchased a house and 2.52 acres of land adjacent to Fowler Park from the Whitlock family in December. The house became the residence of the Fowler Park caretaker.

1972 After the establishment of Fowler Park 1972 Master Plan, and also mentioned previously in the 1968 Master Plan, the Department was interested in developing three more major parks. They were to be located in the southwest, northeast, and northwest portions of Vigo County.

On January 7, a deed to 36 acres of woods located in the bottom land of Prairie Creek Township, just west of Hutton, was presented to the Vigo County Park and Recreation Board by relatives in memory of Richard Kermit Flesher who died in April, 1971. At the January 17 Park Board meeting, the tract of land was officially named the R. Kermit Flesher Memorial Woods, better known as Flesher Woods.

In July, the Park Board acquired 107.25 acres of land in Prairie Creek Township from the Prairie Creek Conservancy District. This land was named Prairie Creek Park and was developed as a multipurpose park similar to Fowler Park with camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, playground, picnic shelters, and a sugar cabin. The numerous maple trees rooted on this land would eventually lend themselves to the beginning of the production of maple syrup, the major attraction at this park. Eventually, low attendance and poor water quality resulted in the discontinuation of swimming. Prairie Creek Park is the major park in the southwest portion of Vigo County.

Glenn Recreation Center was quitclaim deeded to the Park Board in November by the Vigo County School Corporation. The center served as a recreational facility for the northeast area of the county. In 1978, the center was deeded to the Lost Creek Township Trustee. It had become a financial drain; the Park and Recreation Department could no longer afford the repairs or an adequate staff.

1973 Keith Ruble replaced David Beres as Superintendent of the Vigo County Park and Recreation Department in March.

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1974 In November, one acre of property on South 7th Street in West Terre Haute was deeded to the Park Board by the Town of West Terre Haute for use as a neighborhood park. That park was named South 7th Street Park.

1975 In April, a second neighborhood park was established farther north in West Terre Haute when 7.88 acres of land, that had once been the playground of Concannon High School, was deeded to the Park Board by the Vigo County School Corporation. This park was named Lee Fields in honor of a West Terre Haute businessman and Rotarian who spent many years developing recreational facilities and programs for young people in the area.

1976 The third neighborhood park was established in Prairieton in December. One-half acre of land was donated for use as a park by Virginia Phelps in memory of her parents. The park was named the George and Ida Smith Park.

1980 In August, a major park in the northeast portion of Vigo County became a reality. The Park Board purchased 233.22 acres of land in Lost Creek Township, 206.55 acres from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and 26.67 acres from Herbert and Lorene Moss. It was named Hawthorn Park after the many Hawthorn trees located in the park. The caretaker's home and maintenance shops were also located on the Moss property.

1981 Through the efforts of Superintendent Keith Ruble, Commissioner John Scott, and Lester Shepherd, an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America and former Peabody Coal Company administrator, approximately 300 acres of land across the road from Fowler Park were donated to the Park Board by the Wabash Valley Boy Scout Council with the consent of the Peabody Coal Company to whom the land would have reverted when the Boy Scouts gave up ownership. It became known as the Fowler Park Wilderness Area. This area having eight various sized lakes is a wilderness area for hiking, back-pack camping, horseback riding, and fishing.

1982 Vigo County Council passed an amendment to Ordinance No. 1, dated November 5, 1965, as authorized by Indiana Code 36-10-3, on October 26. This re-established the Vigo County Park and Recreation Board.

1983 On October 13, approximately eight acres adjacent to the west of Prairie Creek Park was deeded to the Park Board by Ruth Newlin. Prairie Creek Park expanded to 115.25 acres.

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1984 In February, the Park Board approved the dedication of Flesher Woods as a State Nature Preserve under provisions of the Indiana Nature Preserves Act of 1967 (IC 14-4-5). The Articles of Dedication and Master Plan were signed on April 4, by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves.

1985 The Vigo County Commissioners deeded approximately 23.5 acres, across the road from the J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge to the Park Board in April. The land was left in its natural state for additional wildlife nesting. With this addition, Hawthorn Park expanded to 256.72 acres.

The Vigo County Council voted to restrict the purchase of new properties for a major park in the northwest area of Vigo County, leaving this as the only region without a major county park as previously planned.

1990 A mobile home was purchased for use as the Prairie Creek Park caretaker's residence.

New playground equipment was installed at Lee Fields, South 7th Street, and at George & Ida Smith Park.

A fully accessible trail to accommodate persons of all abilities was laid in Hawthorn Park.

The addition of two repeaters and portable radios for each staff member significantly improved communications within the Park and Recreation Department.

1991 An observation tower overlooking J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge was built adjacent to the fully accessible trail in Hawthorn Park.

At Fowler Park, a gristmill was completed in the Fowler Park Pioneer Village and put into operation in time for Pioneer Days.

1994 Fowler Park expanded to 462.82 acres upon the purchase of 20.3 acres of land to the north from Ray and Emma Lou Deckelmeier, a long time friend of Keith Ruble, on January 6. The Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau donated the monies for the acquisition of the land to encourage tourism at Fowler Park. The same year, the Park and Recreation Department took advantage of the opportunity to hook Fowler Park onto the city water line as the county was extending the water line to the Industrial Park also located in the southern part of the county.

Maple Shelter at Prairie Creek Park was relocated from the back of the park to the front, centralizing it next to the ball diamond, a playground, and restroom facilities. Major playgrounds at Fowler, Hawthorn, and Prairie Creek Parks were torn down and replaced with modern, fully accessible equipment.

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1995 The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 841 cleared land in the Fowler Park Wilderness Area for two parking lots. Pioneer Days’ increasing attendance demanded more space be available to accommodate the crowd.

1996 The purchase of Deckelmeier land led to a major renovation of Fowler Park that begun in the previous fall and continued throughout the year. The entrance to the park was moved to Oregon Church Road on the south side of the park, and a log gatehouse was added. The additional property provided the space needed for the expansion of Pioneer Village to the north and additional parking facilities. The log barn was enlarged to twice its size, and a gift shop was added above the meeting room facilities. A second large shelter was built on the west side of the park to replace the small one. The boat launch was relocated to the southwest side of the lake.

1997 In August, Prairie Creek Park expanded 87.5 acres to the east with the purchase of undeveloped land from Karolyn Logan. The area has a rolling topography with unique geological features.

The park department had been leasing the property to tap maple trees. This addition of land brought the total acreage of Prairie Creek Park to 202.75 acres.

At Fowler Park, an accessible trail was added to the Pioneer Village.

The Vigo County Park and Recreation Department adopted the department’s “Employee and Management Handbook”. Policies and practices of the county were adjusted to meet the special needs of the Park and Recreation Department.

1998 Vast problems existed due to an overabundance of geese in the parks, leading to Geese Harvests at Fowler and Hawthorn Parks. Fecal materials were adversely affecting water quality and recreational areas creating a health hazard throughout the park system. Harvesting was a controversial issue and was given much thought before the decision to proceed was made.

Geese had been captured the two previous years and transported to southern Indiana. Goose eggs had been addled with the state’s permission. Neither of these procedures reduced the goose population. With the State no longer able to transport geese, harvesting was the next logical step in addressing an ongoing problem. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources provided guidance and assistance with the harvests which are expected to continue until a better solution is found.

In July, the Park and Recreation Department experienced the first accidental death of a long time staff member, Kenneth Conley. In addition to being a traumatic experience for the staff, the event led to the department being cited by OSHA. As a result, programs for Lockout/Tagout, Hazard Communications, and Hazard Assessment/Personal Protective Equipment were developed and put into practice.

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1999 A year of construction! A new maintenance shop was built at Hawthorn Park. Fowler Park maintenance shop underwent major renovation. Wood boiler heating systems that heat both the maintenance shops and caretakers’ residences were added to Fowler and Hawthorn Parks.

A third system was installed at Prairie Creek Park to heat the maintenance shop only. This system of heating was chosen as wood is in abundance at the parks, making the system more economical than gas or oil heat. A storage building was built with funds from the Soil, Water, and Conservation District at Prairie Creek Park. The building was then given to the Park and Recreation Department with the understanding that it would be leased to the District with a portion of the building dedicated for park use.

In July, Hulman and Company transferred ownership of Markle Mill Park to the county for its preservation as an historic landmark. A dam and mill were built on the site in 1816 by Colonel Abraham Markle. The dam and remnants of the mill foundation remain. This eight acre park is located on Otter Creek in northern Vigo County.

2000 In January, Prairie Creek Park was expanded to a total of 282.75 acres with the purchase of an additional 80 acres to the north. Of that acreage, 63.7 acres of woodland are a natural nature study area. This addition was named Elliott Woods in memory of Auguston Elliott. The land, part of an original 500 acre farm, had remained in the family since 1840 when Elliott began purchasing farm land.

2001 Renovation was the theme! The Fowler Park caretaker’s house received a new roof. The Hawthorn Park caretaker’s house was vinyl sided and had windows replaced. Prairie Creek Park’s Persimmon Shelter was given a new concrete floor with an aggregate walkway. The fully accessible fishing docks at Hawthorn Park were torn down and completely rebuilt as was the beach stone wall. The addition of the weather channel to the Park and Recreation Department’s repeater and portable radio system improved safety by giving staff the ability to warn campers, swimmers, and other visitors of incoming storms.

2002 The Park and Recreation Department received a grant from the Indiana Department of Commerce Tourism, Development Division to hire a professional company to design and print 20,000 park brochures. This was a dream come true. The brochures were distributed to state welcome centers, businesses, etc.

“The Employee and Management Handbook” was updated.

Construction and renovation were once again on the agenda. A new shower house was built to replace the outdated one at Prairie Creek Park. Hawthorn Park staff renovated beach and campground shower houses. Fowler Park’s Shelter A received a new roof and a new concrete floor. Tennis courts at Prairie Creek Park were resurfaced. A bush honeysuckle eradication 18

project was initiated at Hawthorn Park in conjunction with Purdue University Forestry Extension.

The year ended with the foundation of a labyrinth being laid at Hawthorn Park. Lavern Smith donated $50,000 to the park department in memory of her husband for the project.

2003 The Smith Labyrinth was completed and dedicated. The meditation garden surrounding the labyrinth was begun with the planting of Hawthorn trees.

New playground equipment was purchased for the rural parks. Engineered wood mulch was added under all the equipment there and at smaller playgrounds at both Fowler and Hawthorn Parks to make them handicapped accessible.

2004 Fowler Park’s campground shower houses were renovated. Hawthorn Park staff continued renovation of rest room and shower house facilities there.

Construction of the Elliott Woods trail at Prairie Creek Park began with the design and clearing of the trail. Work will continue into the future.

2005 A ROMTEC SST traditional single cedar waterless restroom was added to Markle Mill Park.

An accessible fishing dock was constructed south of Prairie Creek Park’s Persimmon Shelter.

2006 Two new restrooms were completed at Prairie Creek Park.

A gazebo was installed at Markle Mill Park.

The Heritage Trail spur into Hawthorn Park was completed.

Two ROMTEC restrooms were installed at Hawthorn Park.

2007 ROMTEC restrooms were installed at Prairie Creek Park and Fowler Park.

A $295,000.00 Heritage Trust Fund Grant was approved and used to purchase 691.317 acres that were enrolled in Wetland Reserve Program for land west of the Wabash River.

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A modular home was purchased for Prairie Creek Park and will serve as the Prairie Creek Park Caretaker’s home.

A shower house/restroom was completed at Fowler Park.

2008 The Vigo County Park and Recreation Department purchased the Ramsey Tavern property (the State of Indiana has half ownership).

The Holcomb, Wassel, and Nation property was purchased for the project west of the Wabash River.

Lauras’ Cabin was completed at Fowler Park’s Pioneer Village.

A new Blacksmith Shop was built at Fowler Park’s Pioneer Village.

2009 A new liner was installed to the J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge overflow pipe.

On October 26, the Board approved amending the name of the organization to Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department, adding an ‘s’ to Park to identify the expansion of the parks system.

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Budget The budget is created for each fiscal year, which coincides with the calendar year. It is developed by the Assistant Superintendent under the guidance of the Superintendent and approved by the Park Board before being submitted to Vigo County Council. Vigo County Council reviews and amends the budget.

Budget hearings are held annually in September. The budget and proposed tax rate are submitted to the State Board of Tax Commissioners to review and make changes if needed. The State Board of Tax Commissioners issues an order on the budget in time to allow for its appropriation for the following year.

The following operating fund budgets were approved for the years 2005 through 2010: 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

$1,165,157.00 $1,197,481.00 $1,273,473.00 $1,272,683.00 $1,185,073.00 $1,102,881.00

Budgets are generally increased incrementally to cover increased costs; however, due to the downturn in the economy, budgets have been reduced. The Vigo County Council mandated that all budgets reduced by 15% for fiscal year 2010.

Additional special non-reverting operating funds are generated through camping fees, reservations, maple syrup sales, and special events. Approximately, $140,000.00 a year is available to the Parks and Recreation Department through these activities. These funds are heavily relied upon to purchase playground and other park equipment as well as fund special projects and events.

Grants and capital campaigns are sought and implemented when needed for the completion of projects.

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Natural Resource Management and Conservation Practices The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department has the utmost concern for proper management of natural resources and conservation practices within the park and recreation area that it operates. One only has to look at the early planning in some of the state and federal parks to visualize the misunderstanding of nature versus recreation. Fragile forested areas were opened and have become overused by picnickers and campers; foot trails and horses have literally caused the roots of trees to be exposed and the soil to be washed away from splash erosion. This could have been prevented, but recreational planners did not know or understand the adverse affects that were to come.

Planning with nature in mind is essential to preserve the natural resources within parks while still providing long term use with little park maintenance. Park professionals and park board members must be good stewards of the land they control if public parks and recreational areas are to survive and flourish. The challenge is to plan and manage park and recreational locations while allowing use by large numbers of people.

Like a good farmer rotates areas, park professionals must consider rotating areas that are overused to prevent erosion and damage to trees and plant life. Good ground covers that take a lot of use with minimal amounts of tree plantings can best prevent erosion while providing an aesthetic atmosphere.

Facilities that fall in this category include camping, picnic and play areas, plus any other area that is heavily used each year.

Forested areas require care, for they are very fragile. Overuse results in severe erosion and root compaction. Proper planning ensures camping, picnicking, and other high use areas are never located in forested areas; only foot trails belong there. Where old logging roads are still available, horse trails can be incorporated if it is determined erosion will not be a problem. In either use, trails must be planned on a contour basis with proper drainage and a base of either compacted sand and gravel or stone to prevent erosion and provide stability.

As a result of proper soil and water practices, the watershed of a park with a lake is protected from soil erosion. The end benefit is better water quality for fishing, swimming, and boating, and an aesthetically pleasing environment.

In planning for the future of park and recreational facilities, the incorporation of proper conservation practices is a must. Both present and future generations are recipients of the benefits of long term use and low maintenance costs.

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NATURAL RESOURCE AREAS OF AWARENESS: Natural resources are present in many areas within the Vigo County Park and Recreation Department parks system. The following types of areas demand attention: • • • • • • • • • •

Camping Grasses, Annual Weeds, and Trees Historical and Educational Lakes and Ponds Picnic Areas, Shelters, and Playgrounds State Nature Preserve Strip-mined Land Trails Wetlands Woodlands

AREAS & CONSERVATION PRACTICES: Camping The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department supports three camping areas within the parks system.

Fowler Park campground covers approximately 9.1 acres. It has both modern sites with electricity and primitive sites. Water is located within easy walking distance. A dump station is available for sewage from self-contained camping units. Shower houses, rest rooms, and a pit toilet for winter use are located nearby. Fowler Park campground is the most popular in the county park system due primarily to its proximity to Fowler Park Lake. Each campsite is on a peninsula just a few feet from the water’s edge. Prior to being a camping area, Fowler Park campground was a wooded pasture.

Problems: Soil loss due to soil compaction through high, intensive use. Tree loss due to the shade effect from trees, and a high water table.

Conservation practices: Soil loss due to soil compaction. It is difficult to stop or improve the area from soil compaction, but with a yearly renovation plan of fertilization, seed, mulch, and selective tree removal to allow sunlight penetration, soil loss is held to a minimum.

Tree loss. As a result of the present conditions, pruning, fertilization, and mulching around existing trees can help some of the trees showing stress. The Parks and Recreation Department has removed dangerous trees and limbs from the area. Trees have been planted to replace those that have been removed.

Bald cypress and river birch trees were chosen for planting as they have less leaf 23

litter and better sunlight penetration.

Hawthorn Park campground covers approximately 8.1 acres. It has both modern sites with electricity and primitive sites. Water is located within easy walking distance. A dump station is available for sewage from self-contained camping units. Shower houses and rest rooms, and a pit toilet for winter use are located nearby. The campground is a wooded area in second growth brush and pole timber. Prior to 1950, this area was open and used for farming, but since has grown up in mostly hawthorn, sassafras, elm, pin oak, sliver and red maple, and tulip trees.

Problem: Low level of campground and low areas pocketing water and trees.

Conservation practice: Unslotted 4� plastic drainage tile has been installed with vertical 6� risers serving as catch basins. Soil cuts have helped funnel the water to the risers. The challenge is to maintain the drainage areas from beavers and debris and the risers and soil pipe from root compaction. Being almost a wooded thicket in areas, no cutting or thinning will be done. This will protect the soil and provide campers privacy. Only dying or dangerous trees are be removed.

Prairie Creek Park campground covers approximately 6.5 acres. It has modern sites with electricity and no primitive sites. Water is located within easy walking distance. A dump station is available for sewage from self-contained camping units. Shower houses, rest rooms, and a pit toilet for winter use are located nearby. This area was farmed before becoming a campground. In 1971, trees were planted in the camp site area to provide shade. Kentucky 31 tall fescue was sown to protect the soil.

Problem: Loss of ground cover due to the use of tents.

Conservation practice: Spot seeding and fertilization are used in high use areas.

Grasses, Annual Weeds, and Trees Approximately 85 acres of grass and weed areas exist in the county park system.

Mowing usually occurs every two weeks or sooner due to intense public use. Other areas may require only mowing once or twice during the growing season.

Problems: Difficultly keeping areas in grasses and weeds from drying out and becoming bare and subject to erosion. Oncoming threat to Ash tree destruction due to Emerald Ash Borer.

Conservation practice: Grasses and Weeds. A routine renovation of seed and fertilization and mulching each spring and fall. To eliminate the tree shade effect, remove trees with large crowns in high intensive areas to let sufficient sun light penetrate.

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Oncoming Ash tree destruction. Emerald Ash borer will be preempted by the pro-active, selective removal of Ash trees.

Historical and Educational Approximately 172 acres of Vigo County parkland is used for historical and educational interpretation. They primarily include Fowler Park’s Pioneer Village and Prairie Creek Park’s sugar camp.

Problem: Maintaining the originality that reflects a historically accurate representation.

Conservation practice: These areas require a good sod due to heavy use at times. Special plants are protected by mulch and, in some areas, a split rail fence. Only native plant materials are used in these areas.

Lakes and Ponds Lakes and ponds comprise approximately 141 acres of area in the Vigo County parks system. There are two lakes in Fowler Park and one lake and five ponds in the Fowler Park Wilderness Area. Prairie Creek Park has one lake and one pond. On Hawthorn Park property there are two lakes and one pond.

Problem: In the summer at times, lakes and ponds in the system are weedy with submersed aquatic plants, algae, and goose droppings. The goose droppings cause the ecoli count to soar, making it dangerous for swimmers.

Prairie Creek Park Lake is filling with sediments from neighboring fields and is well on its way to becoming a wetland area.

Conservation practice: Watershed protection is essential to properly maintain good water quality in the lakes and ponds in the Vigo County parks system. The watersheds that empty into the water areas in the parks system are primarily privately controlled. Good communication with land owners is necessary to improve water quality. The use of selective herbicides reduces the amount of weeds and algae. A minimum of one staff member is a Certified Pesticide Applicator. It is not good to eliminate all weeds and algae. Some areas are left for the protection and food of fish and wildlife. In some lakes, Canada Geese have become a nuisance due to the fecal material left on the land and deposited in the lake. To help control the population, the park department addles eggs during nesting season and conducts goose harvests. The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department is registered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct these activities. The park department has a good working relationship with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and depends on their guidance to help improve the lakes and ponds. The assistance stocking fish and with aquatic weed analysis are invaluable services to the Department.

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Picnic Areas, Shelters, and Playgrounds The Parks and Recreation Department has numerous picnic sites and eight picnic shelters. The demand for shelters and picnic tables is increasing.

Problem: Keeping highly-used picnic sites in grass.

Conservation practice: Annually, each fall, seeding, fertilizing, and moving picnic tables to different locations. In areas where it is impossible to keep grass, building frames and filling them with compaction gravel is utilized.

State Nature Preserve One wooded area that is unique in the Vigo County parks system is the R. Kermit Flesher State Nature Preserve. This nature preserve is the only high quality flood plain forest in Vigo County. Its unique qualities include pecan trees, overcup oak, green ash, and swamp butter cup, which produce yellow flowers in the spring covering much of the forest floor.

Problem: The forest floods, possesses a large mosquito population, and has extensive poison ivy vines within its boundaries. It is a sensitive area and subject to damage if used without authorization.

Conservation practice: The public may walk through the nature preserve; however, the public is not encouraged to go to the preserve in the summertime.

Strip-mined Land Approximately 360 acres of Vigo County parkland was mined for coal during the 1950s.

Since the mining, Peabody Coal Company has planted trees including red and white pine, sycamore, oak, walnut, sweet gum, tulip, black alder, bald cypress, black locust, and Chinese chestnut, on virtually all areas of mined ground. However, the majority of the trees in these areas are cottonwood, a species that is natural to the area.

Problem: Erosion along road ditches is causing culverts, ditches, and some lakes to fill with sediment. In some areas, the public furthers the problem by climbing up the steep banks disturbing the natural vegetation holding the soil in place.

Most areas where the ground was strip mined are wooded and provide little food for wildlife.

Conservation practice: In the areas where the public furthers the problem, a fertilization and seed program is used along with natural barriers of cuttings from multi-flora roses. Honey locust is dumped into the areas most abused. In other areas, selected plot cuttings need to be done to encourage the return of food producing weeds and food producing shrubs for wildlife food. All cut trees are utilized at Prairie Creek Park’s sugar camp.

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Trails There is approximately 10 miles of trails in the Vigo County parks system. The trails are used by a variety of people. Some want to enjoy nature and others are using the trails for exercise. There are also the horse back enthusiasts. The fully accessible trail located in Hawthorn Park is asphalted. Other than that one, there are two types of trails in the parks. At Hawthorn Park and Prairie Creek Park, the trails are compacted aggregate. At Fowler Park and the Fowler Park Wilderness Area, the trails are sod. A trail, laid on top of an old agricultural levee, is planned for the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Fowler Park Wilderness Area covers approximately 300 acres. A continuous trail system was made several years ago with the help of J. I. Case Company. At the present time, hikers, horseback riders, and fishermen are using the trails. A few people choose this site to backpack camp. Approximately 16 miles of trail by water is planned from Markle Mill Park on Otter Creek to Fairbanks Park along the Wabash River. Seven of those miles are on Otter Creek and nine are on the Wabash River. Additional spots along Otter Creek and the Wabash River may be used to put in or take out canoes. Picnic and camping sites may be set up along the route if an easement can be obtained from adjacent land owners.

Problems: Gravel trails are most advantageous due to their ability to carry heavy loads without cutting ruts, but on slope areas they are a problem due to erosion. Sod trails are aesthetically more attractive; however, when sod trails are overused by horse enthusiasts, soil erosion is a problem, especially when the soil is soft due to rain or thawing. Log jams and debris in Otter Creek and the Wabash River are commonplace.

Conservation practices: Land Trails. All trails in the park system are planned on a contour basis and graveled due to their heavy use. In areas where there are slopes, diversion bars are created using railroad ties or treated 4x4’s to slow down erosion. When wet conditions exist that could result in trail damage, limited or no horse traffic is allowed, except on gravel trails.

Fertilizer, seed, and mulch are applied to keep soil loss to a minimum each year where needed.

River Trails. Annually, and as additionally required, remove log jams and debris to keep the stream open.

Wetlands Approximately 883 acres comprises both J.I. Case Wildlife Refuge and county-owned portions of Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Problems: When flooding occurs due to high rainfall, the negative effects include trail erosion/structural integrity of levees, deposits of sand and silt over trials, and flooding also brings trash over the trail. Constructing trails systems that are fully accessible. Constructing recreational trails that don’t disturb 27

wildlife.

Conservation practices: Trail Erosion. Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department attempts to minimize/eliminate hazardous trees that can be uprooted and damage trails and levees or harm trail users. An additional practice can include removing invasive Asian bush honeysuckle and spray with an approved herbicide to provide adequate sunlight to grow more desirable grasses.

Deposit of sand and silt over trails. In the low areas of the wetlands, sand and silt can be pushed off asphalt trails with a machine and hosed off.

Deposit of trash due to flooding. Many volunteer groups are available for trash clean up. In addition, park staff monitor areas and pick up refuse when possible.

Trails. Trails are thoughtfully designed to not disturb wildlife that occupy the areas. Trails use existing levees and roads that have already been established. New trails will not be placed in undisturbed area.

The topography determines the ability to place a fully accessible trail.

Woodlands Uplands and lowlands cover approximately 582 acres of Vigo County parkland. Most of the wooded acreage in the park system is in second growth timber. Almost every type of tree found in Indiana can be found growing at one or more of the park areas.

Problems: People make their own trails which results in erosion. Trees are cut for firewood, carved in, or hacked with an axe simply for amusement. The health of Sugar Maple trees used for the Maple Syrup production can be easily damaged. The damage/death of ash trees due to Emerald Ash Borer will soon be a reality in Vigo County.

Conservation practices: Man-Made Trails. In areas where the public has made its own trail, the trail is improved with protective measures or eliminated if it is in a sensitive area with natural debris. Communication lines must be opened to campers.

Tree Destruction. Written educational information on the value and treatment of woodlands is helpful in gaining cooperation to protect the wooded areas.

Sugar Maple Trees. In 1980 and 1981, selected young maple trees 28

benefited when the forest around them was thinned to encourage their survival and crown growth. The annual tapping of maple trees is similar to giving blood; as long as the tree is not over tapped, the vigor or growth of the tree is not affected. Taps are placed no more than six inches from any previous tap on the tree. No more than two 5/16” taps are placed in trees 18” or more in diameter breast height (DBH). This is conservative and keeps the trees healthy. In any given year, it is estimated that only 15% of the total liquid food value of the tree will be given up. When spring comes and leaves grow back, this food content is replenished.

Emerald Ash Borer. With the impending reality that all ash trees will succumb to the deadly effects of the Emerald Ash Borer within the next 10-15 years, Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department will enact a pro-active approach to the situation. A strategic plan includes determining which trees to remove, in what order trees should be removed, and what species of tree should replace the trees removed.

The intent of the plan is to first, preemptively predict safety concerns and resolve them, and second, to slowly remove ash trees and plant new trees to maintain shade cover in highly used areas.

ADDITIONAL CONSERVATION PRACTICES: Fish Vigo County park’s lakes and ponds all are stocked and well managed. The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department has a cooperative arrangement with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife for the management and protection of all bodies of water for the enjoyment of the public. Every year or two, the State Biologist from Avoca State Fish Hatchery inventories and makes recommendations for each body of water to maintain optimal fishing. This might be to release specific or several species in the lakes or eliminate all life in a lake if the fish are stunted and fish levels are low. Through a cooperative agreement, the professional Fish Biologist can and has recommended ways to better maintain and protect fish for the public enjoyment.

Fish present in Vigo County parks: Fowler Park Lake (including the strip-mined lake) - largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, black crappie Fowler Park Wilderness (large lake) - largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, crappie Fowler Park Wilderness (small lakes) - largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish Prairie Creek Park (lake and pond) - largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, 29

channel catfish, black crappie Hawthorn Park, J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge (lake) - largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, black crappie, yellow bullheads, warmouth Hawthorn Park, (Burns Lake) - largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, crappie.

Wildlife Vigo County parks have always had an abundant number of all kinds of native wildlife.

Several types of habitat that provide homes for all kinds of birds and animals are maintained by the department. Birds of all kinds: songbirds, woodpeckers, shorebirds, predator birds, and migratory birds, are common in the parks. Mammals are also plentiful, but are rarely seen as many of them are nocturnal. Found in the parks are white-tailed deer, fox and flying squirrels, red and gray fox, coyote, mink, muskrat, opossum, skunk, beaver, and other small mammals.

There are three basic needs of wildlife. These include suitable habitat, food, and water.

To improve wildlife habitat and propagation, the following recommendations are observed: Fowler Park: 1. In strip mined areas, small clear cuts of trees are executed to encourage native weeds and plants to reintroduce themselves.

2. Food producing wildlife shrubs are planted in these areas and other open areas.

3. Artificial nesting boxes are provided in upland / wetland areas.

4. Large areas are left undisturbed.

Prairie Creek Park: 1. Food producing wildlife shrubs are planted.

2. Artificial nesting boxes are provided in upland / wetland areas.

3. Large areas are left undisturbed.

4. Groves of warm season grasses and wildflowers are planted.

Hawthorn Park: 1. Food producing wildlife shrubs are planted.

2. Artificial nesting boxes are provided in upland / wetland areas.

3. Large areas are left undisturbed.

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Nuisance Wildlife Management Canada geese: When the J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge was built at Hawthorn Park, it was wonderful to see Canada geese using this facility. No one ever dreamt that these geese would become a real problem mainly due to their fecal droppings left everywhere. The Parks and Recreation Department had real problems at the beaches until the geese were fenced out and people were asked not to feed them; doing this did not stop the problems. The water quality of the lakes was being contaminated and fecal coliform counts were unacceptable. Geese also caused problems in the camping and picnic areas due to people wanting to feed them. These geese called, Grand Canada, are a subspecies from Minnesota that do not migrate and like to be around people.

Goose counts of around 30 at Fowler Park and 150 at Hawthorn Park prompted the Parks and Recreation Department to seek the advice of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist, Roger Stonebreaker. His advice, since hunting was not allowed in the parks, was to trap the geese during molting season. Over two years, the department trapped birds and they were transported to fish and wildlife areas. This was only a temporary fix. The Superintendent annually applies for a permit to addle eggs during the nesting season. This is successful and reduces the number of geese in the parks.

Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department allows hunters to harvest at Hawthorn Park. Hunting was recommended by the wildlife biologist. Having a hunt in a county park was very controversial. There were several articles in the local paper and several people who objected to a hunt. After much discussion, the Vigo County Parks Board gave the okay for the hunts, also known as harvests. The professional assistance of Roger Stonebreaker, was again greatly appreciated by the Department.

Hunting provides a great recreational activity for many local hunters. They have expressed appreciation for the county Parks Board. The number of geese is still high, and the Department has encouraged other land owners to allow hunting to drop the numbers of geese.

Beavers: Beavers are opportunistic mammals that will quickly take advantage of new habitats of water and trees. They completely cut down or girdle every living tree or shrub within close proximity to water. They create pools of water by building wood retention dams so that more food can be accessible by water.

Once the food supply is exhausted, they move to where food is plentiful again.

After several years, when new trees and brush come back, the beavers reappear. This cycle is repeated over and over. The loss of trees and shrubs in marsh areas is not as noticeable as trees cut in upland areas. The damages caused by beavers are the aesthetic loss of trees and shrubs, the annual 31

replacement cost in dollars, and the years required to replace them.

To keep the number of beavers down, state wildlife biologists have recommended trapping. There are four methods available for the task.

1. Leghold trap - A steel trap that secures the leg and usually results in the drowning of the animal after being caught.

2. Snare - A woven wire loop that the beaver swims or walks through.

3. Conibear trap No. 330 - A trap that collapses around the body and kills the animal.

4. Live trap - This method catches the animal alive so it can be released in a new location. These traps are very expensive.

Of the four methods, the Conibear trap is preferred. It humanely kills the animal and can be used in many different locations.

To be proactive, the Parks and Recreation Department uses chicken wire and 3/8� steel rods around cypress trees to prevent beavers from damaging the trees. Annual inspection of the trees is important to see if the wire is secure around each tree and not too tight. As long as beavers are in the park lakes, the Department must protect trees in or close to the water.

Muskrats: Like beavers, muskrats like new habitats and quickly take advantage of available food. Muskrats eat green vegetation, berries, cattails, twigs, corn, and other farm crops. They even eat snails, the meat from carcasses, and the plants that make up the insides of their own houses. Muskrats dig dens around the edge of ponds and lakes. If stepped on, the den caves in and may cause an individual to break a leg or fall in the water which could result in drowning. Muskrat dens have caused drivers and mowing machines, on two occasions in the Vigo County parks, to end up in the lake when the bank collapsed. Muskrats are also hazardous to earthen dams. The burrowing in these structures may weaken the dam and eventually result in the loss of the dam if preventative measures are not used.

The methods of control are the same as for beavers. Of the four, the Conibear body trap No. 110 is preferred. This trap is humane and is placed to prevent non-targeted animals or birds from entering the trap. Trapping is completed annually.

The Park and Recreation Department has prevented muskrats from using the lake shores by putting stone rip rap on them and eliminating cattails. The use of the chemical Rodeo has been very effective. Keeping grass cut on dams has also been an excellent deterrent.

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Groundhogs (woodchucks): Groundhogs seem to build the best dens of all terrestrial animals. Their dens are used by many other animals. Groundhogs are not a problem in most cases except when they den in lakes or pond dams. Dams are mowed annually to discourage burrowing. When and if they become a problem, the department uses cyanide bombs to gas all the groundhogs in the den. The hole is solidly filled with soil and seeded in the fall or spring.

White-tailed deer: Deer are protected in the county parks. The numbers of deer are being kept down due to the hunting pressure around the parks. A few of the county parks have annual deer damage where tree seedlings are being eaten and antler rubs are found on deciduous trees and conifers. The Department works with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Biologist to determine deer management practices.

Maple Syrup Production One of nature’s sweetest resources is the sweet sap (sugar water) that comes from the Sugar Maple tree (Acer Sacerium). Man has been utilizing this tree for over 300 years to sweeten his foods. A small sugar camp was started at Prairie Creek Park in 1977. Maple syrup is produced primarily for the historical benefit of Vigo County citizens and visitors.

Tours can be given to elementary school classes, private schools, senior groups, the general public, and anyone else with an interest. In February, an annual pancake and sausage breakfast featuring the locally produced maple syrup is held at Fowler Park Log Barn. This event attracts people from all over the area. Many take time, before or after the breakfast, to tour the Sugar Camp at Prairie Creek Park and purchase syrup to take home for themselves or for gifts.

Nature and Conservation Education/Research It is important that the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department play a primary role in the education, development, and programming of natural resources’ tours for the children and adults of Vigo County. To be most effective, this service is often done in cooperation with the Cooperative Extension Office, the Soil Conservation Department, the Vigo County School Corporation, and community professionals. The department works with all groups, young and old, who request nature tours or need a speaker.

Research The parks are available for any student or professional to conduct research.

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Vigo County Park Locations Total Acreage Total Water Acreage

1,868.17 141.00

acres acres

FOWLER PARK & FOWLER PARK WILDERNESS AREA Total Acreage Fowler Park Fowler Park Wilderness Area

462.82 acres 162.82 acres 300.00 acres

Total Water Acreage Fowler Lake Fowler Park Strip-Mined lake Wilderness Lake South Lake Small pond Small pond Small pond Small pond

56.40 25.90 6.00 18.60 2.70 .60 .80 .90 .90

acres acres acres acres acres acres acres acres acres

HAWTHORN PARK & J.I. CASE WETLAND WILDLIFE REFUGE Total Acreage

256.72 acres

Total Water Acreage 68.60 acres Burns Lake 18.30 acres J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge Lake 50.30 acres PRAIRIE CREEK PARK Total Acreage

282.75 acres

Total Water Acreage Prairie Creek Park Lake Pond Pond

16.00 13.40 1.80 .80

acres acres acres acres

WABASHIKI STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA (portions co-owned by Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department and Indiana Department of Natural Resource) Total Acreage

812.50 acres

R. KERMIT FLESHER MEMORIAL STATE NATURE PRESERVE Total Acreage

36.00 acres 34

LEE FIELDS PARK Total Acreage

7.88

acres

1.00

acres

.50

acres

8.00

acres

SOUTH SEVENTH STREET PARK Total Acreage GEORGE AND IDA SMITH PARK (PRAIRIETON PARK) Total Acreage MARKLE MILL PARK Total Acreage

Vigo County Park Locations Narrative FOWLER PARK & FOWLER PARK WILDERNESS AREA In 1967, one-hundred-and-forty-acres of land in the south-central area of Vigo County was purchased from the Peabody Coal Company to establish the first county park - Fowler Park. The park was dedicated to the memory of Eugene Fowler, the first man to lose his life in the Vietnam War. Additional land with a house was purchased in 1970 for use as a caretaker’s home.

Approximately 300 acres of land east of Fowler Park were donated in 1981. The last addition of land was in 1995; land north of the park was purchased. Fowler Park now extends over 462.82 acres.

Located one-half mile off U.S. 41 on Oregon Church Road, Fowler Park serves as a multipurpose park. It is comprised of two major sections of land - Fowler Park and Fowler Park Wilderness Area, the 300 acres of land east of the park across Bono Road.

Inside Fowler Park are two lakes, a campground, picnic shelters, playgrounds, trails, a covered bridge and a pioneer village with working gristmill. Fowler Lake, 25.9 acres, has a boat launch and a beach for swimming. The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and black crappie.

Peninsulas on the east side of the lake comprise the campground. Fowler Park is the only county park where campsites are located next to the lake’s edge. The campground has approximately 60 modern sites with electricity and approximately 15 primitive sites. Shower houses, rest rooms, and a dump station are available to campers. The second lake is located on the west side of the park hidden behind the hillside. Largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill are found in it.

Two picnic shelters on the parkland each hold between 150-200 people. A large playground is 35

adjacent to Shelter A (east side of Fowler Lake), and a smaller one is adjacent to Shelter B (west side of Fowler Lake).

The pioneer village consists of 20 log buildings, a log barn, gristmill, and covered bridge. The log barn houses a public meeting/banquet room that holds approximately 140 people and a gift shop. Six hiking trails wind through Fowler Park’s woodlands, with difficulty levels ranging from easy to moderate, begin off of the road on the west side of the park.

The Wilderness Area was strip-mined in the 1950’s and is currently a wild and beautiful terrain with several excellent fishing lakes and ponds. Wilderness Lake extends over 18.6 acres and has a boat launch and a fishing pier. The next largest lake is South Lake which covers 2.7 acres. Four smaller fishing ponds range from 0.6-0.9 acres. Bluegill, channel catfish, redear sunfish, crappie, and largemouth bass are found in these lakes and ponds.

Over four miles of trails with difficulty levels ranging from easy to moderate are available in the area for hiking and horseback riding. Fossils, once numerous, can still be found in the Wilderness Area. Two large parking lots designed for special event use are carved into the southwest hillside. The Wilderness Area is used by the local military, scuba divers, and rescue dog trainers for practice and training exercises.

Pioneer Village is the center of attraction for a number of events held annually at the park. The Village Folk, a volunteer group, brings the village alive for the Pancake Breakfast, Pioneer Days, and the Christmas Walk. Visitors come from the local area as well as from all over the United States and foreign countries. The village is open to the public the 3rd Saturday of each month in the summer. Tours are given to individuals and groups upon request. The village is frequently the scene of weddings; couples choose the church, gristmill, or covered bridge for their backdrop.

In 1990, the Village Folk, a not-for-profit organization, was recruited to assist the Parks and Recreation Department with tours and events and to provide financial support. Monies raised by this group of volunteers are used for educational projects, capital improvements and repairs, acquisitions, and the historic preservation of the pioneer village.

As a multipurpose park, Fowler Park attracts a wide variety of visitors from all walks of life and from many localities, states, and countries. They include: campers, fishermen, swimmers, school groups (preschool through elementary), businesses and organizations renting the facilities, family and school reunion groups, church groups, Cub Scouts, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H groups, fossil hunters, horseback riders, hikers, scuba divers, and individuals wanting a quiet place to relax and enjoy the country atmosphere.

A maintenance shop is located at Fowler Park, for the Fowler Park Maintenance Staff, behind the caretaker’s house. When full-time staff are not on duty, the caretaker is responsible for keeping an eye on the park. During camping season, May 1 - October 15, seasonal staff are on duty in the park around the clock.

HAWTHORN PARK & J.I. CASE WETLAND WILDLIFE REFUGE A major multipurpose park was established in the northeast section of the county in 1980 when 36

233.22 acres of land was purchased in Lost Creek Township. Of that acreage, 206.55 acres (originally owned by Anton Hulman) was purchased from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and 26.67 acres from Herbert and Lorene Moss. As an abundance of hawthorn trees were growing on the property, the park was named Hawthorn Park. The caretaker’s home and the maintenance shops were located on the Moss property, across the road from the park proper.

In 1985, the Vigo County Commissioners deeded approximately 23.5 acres to the Parks Board.

This addition brought the total acreage of Hawthorn Park to 256.72 acres.

Located on East Old Maple Avenue, Hawthorn Park is six-tenths of a mile north of U.S. 40 off of Hunt Road. The park is divided into two major areas of land, Hawthorn Park on the west and J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge on the east. On the park’s south boundary is Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and the Heritage Road National Trail.

Inside Hawthorn Park is a lake, campground, picnic shelters, playgrounds, archery range, trails, and labyrinth. Burns Lake, 18.3 acres, has a boat launch and a beach for swimming. The lake is stocked with bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie.

The campground, located on the west side of the park, has approximately 70 modern sites with electricity and approximately 15 primitive sites. Shower houses, rest rooms, and a dump station are available to campers.

Three picnic shelters on the parkland each hold 200 people. A large playground is located between Dogwood Shelter and a large field used for a variety of sports. A smaller playground is located adjacent to the Burkeybyle Shelter. In the same area, along the lake’s shore line, are fully accessible fishing stations.

Five hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to moderate, traverse the park. Immediately south of Dogwood Shelter, a fully accessible trail stretches 1,850 feet in length. On the east side of the trail, a wildlife observation shelter overlooks J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge.

The levee for J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge was constructed in 1984. The lake was filled during early 1985 and a boat launch added. The primary purpose for the lake is waterfowl management with fishing designated as a secondary use. The 50.3 acre lake attracts migratory birds in the fall and provides excellent fishing opportunities, especially in the spring. The lake is stocked with bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, yellow bullheads, and warmouth.

The 23.5 acres, east of Hunt Road and across from J. I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge, have been left in its natural state and serves as a wildlife nesting area.

As a multipurpose park, Hawthorn attracts a wide variety of visitors from all walks of life. They include: campers, fishermen, swimmers, runners and joggers, school groups, businesses and organizations renting the facilities, family and school reunion groups, church groups, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and individuals seeking a serene atmosphere.

The layout of the roads and trails at Hawthorn Park is especially conducive to joggers and runners. The Terre Haute Triathlon, a Tri-Fed sanctioned event, is held annually at the park and entices sports enthusiasts from all over the United States. The Terre Haute Road Runners 37

sponsor three runs in the park each year.

When staff are not on duty, the caretaker is responsible for keeping an eye on the park. During camping season, May 1 - October 15, seasonal staff are on duty in the park around the clock.

PRAIRIE CREEK PARK Prairie Creek Park was added to the Vigo County parks system in 1972. The land, 107.25 acres located in Prairie Creek Township in the southern end of the county, was acquired from the Prairie Creek Conservancy District. The park was named after Prairie Creek which flows through the township. The Parks and Recreation Department shares an adjacent Public Law 566 flood control lake with private land owners to the northwest. In 1983, Ruth Newlin deeded an additional eight acres of land to the west of the park. Prairie Creek Park grew to 202.75 acres in 1997, when the park purchased 87.5 acres of land to the east from Karolyn Logan. In January 2000, an additional 80 acres of land located north, across the road from the park, was purchased from Arlen Elliott extending Prairie Creek Park to 282.75 acres.

Situated on West French Drive, Prairie Creek Park is four miles west of U.S. 41 and one and sixtenths miles east of State Road 63 making it accessible from either highway. The park is a multipurpose park. Its distinctive feature is a beautiful grove of old growth sugar maple trees that in the fall of the year turn to a brilliant golden yellow, red, and orange.

Within the park proper, one long, moderate, continuous trail winds in and about the grounds with numerous access points.

A small family graveyard sits on a hilltop, undisturbed, in the woods on the east side of the park.

Members of the Kerchieval family rest in peace at this very old site.

On its south border, Prairie Creek Park adjoins a 13.4 acre lake. At the front of the park is a small 1.8 acre pond. Channel catfish, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, and black crappie are found in these bodies of water.

The campground has approximately 40 modern sites with electricity and no primitive sites. The campground is divided into two sections, one much smaller than the other. Groups wanting to experience primitive camping set up tents in the small clearing south of the pond, or set up in the smaller campground area, to keep their group contained. A modern shower house, rest rooms, and a dump station are available to campers.

Two picnic shelters on the parkland each seat 80 people comfortably. A large playground is adjacent to Maple Shelter. Across from Maple Shelter is a baseball diamond with backstop.

Centered between the campground and the shelters is a multipurpose court with two tennis courts and basketball goals that attract enthusiasts of both sports. Nearby are four sets of horseshoe pits.

Prairie Creek Park is best known for its Sugar Camp. In January/February, maple trees are tapped within and outside the park. The sap is collected and routed, using plastic tubing and a pump system, to a holding tank located next to the Sugar Cabin. The Sugar Cabin is an authentic log cabin with evaporating equipment to produce maple syrup. As maple syrup is produced, it is 38

strained, bottled, and available for purchase. The Sugar Cabin is open to visitors any time a sufficient amount of sap is available to fire the evaporator.

A small maintenance shop is located on the west side of the park near the caretaker’s house.

When staff are not on duty, the caretaker is responsible for keeping an eye on the park. During camping season, May 1 - October 15, seasonal staff are on duty in the park around the clock.

Prairie Creek Park does not attract the wide variety of visitors that gravitate to the other county parks; there are a number of contributing factors that have precipitated this event. The park is located the furthest from the city limits, and people are unwilling to drive that distance when other county and city parks are closer. The back lake is becoming a wetland area as it is filling with sediments from neighboring fields. This, in turn, affects fishing in the lake; the boat launch now faces dry land as water has shrunk away from it. Fishermen can only access the lake on foot or in jon-boats. Prairie Creek has no beach or swimming area. This is an option most campers desire, especially when the weather is extremely hot. This factor is heightened by the fact that campers are setting out in the open with limited trees to provide shade and reduce the heat at this location. However, visitors seeking peace and quiet choose Prairie Creek Park to get away, relax, meditate, and enjoy the beauty of the seasons, be it the splendor of the fall leaves or the snowy winter wonderland. This park, alone, has all the unique natural and geological features that no other county or city park possesses.

Elliott Woods, located adjacent to Prairie Creek Park north of French Drive, is a unique woodland. Its canopy of trees has all but eliminated under-story making visibility good for woodland recreational activities. At least twenty-six species of trees, eleven varieties of flowers, and nine species of wildlife were counted. Elliott Woods Trail, a 1.5 mile flume nature trail, was completed in 2009 that winds through the property. Parking and access to the Elliott Woods Trail are located within Prairie Creek Park.

WABASHIKI STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA In 2009, Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department partnered with Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to purchase over 800 acres of Wabash River bottomland with the support of an Indiana Heritage Trust grant. The 800 acres is located directly across the river from the City of Terre Haute. The land extends south of US 40 and continues just south of I-70.

Previous usage of the property was agricultural purposes. In 2007, the previous owners signed a perpetual easement with the USDA Wetland Reserve Program. The purchase of 800 acres of Wabash River bottomland was to provide recreational opportunities for the citizens of Vigo County and a natural habitat for the native and migratory wildlife. IDNR intends to expand the acreage to potentially 7,100 acres. This area has been named the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area.

R. KERMIT FLESHER MEMORIAL STATE NATURE PRESERVE R. Kermit Flesher Memorial State Nature Preserve is a unique flood plain forest located in the bottom land of Prairie Creek Township, just west of the little town of Hutton, not far from the Wabash River. The 36 acre parcel is rectangular in shape and surrounded by agricultural land.

The land was deeded to the Park Board in January, 1972, by relatives of Richard Kermit Flesher, 39

who died in April, 1971. The family asked that the forest, better known as “Flesher Woods,� be left in its natural state as nearly as possible, with the exception of educational trails, to preserve all plant life and wildlife.

In April, 1984, the Parks and Recreation Department dedicated Flesher Woods to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Thereupon, the woods became a state nature preserve with Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department as its administrator, to manage and protect.

Silver maple, green ash, swamp white oak, shagbark, shellbark hickory, and other flood plain species dominate Flesher Woods. In addition, an impressive number of pecan trees and other trees primarily restricted to southwest Indiana, such as the overcup oak, are located in the woods. Swamp buttercup, which produces yellow flowers in the spring, covers much of the forest floor. Flesher Woods is one of the few remaining high quality flood plain forests remaining in southwest Indiana.

The area has no trails or other visitor facilities. Access is allowed only by permission of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department. Flood waters and mosquitoes are problematic.

Otherwise, this woodland area offers excellent nature study.

LEE FIELDS PARK Lee Fields Park, 7.88 acres, is a neighborhood park located on Ferguson Hill in Sugar Creek Township off U.S. Highway 150. The land had once been the playground of the old Concannon High School and was deeded to the Park Board in April, 1975, by the Vigo County School Corporation. The park was named Lee Fields in honor of a West Terre Haute businessman and Rotarian who had spent many years developing recreational facilities and programs for young people in the area.

The park has a small playground, a multipurpose court with basketball goals, a softball field with back stop, an open field, a picnic shelter, and a wooded area. As no rest rooms are available in this park, a stone water fountain was installed especially for those individuals participating in sports.

Lee Fields Park is used mainly by neighborhood children and families, local school baseball and football teams for practice, and joggers.

SOUTH SEVENTH STREET PARK The South Seventh Street Park is located on the south edge of West Terre Haute in Sugar Creek Township. The one acre of property on South 7th Street was deeded to the Park Board in November, 1974, by the Town of West Terre Haute. The park was named for its location.

South Seventh Street Park has a small playground at the south end of the land and a basketball court at the north end. In the center is an open play space. This park is heavily used by neighborhood children.

GEORGE AND IDA SMITH PARK (PRAIRIETON PARK) George and Ida Smith Park is located on State Road 63 in the town of Prairieton in Prairieton 40

Township. The five-tenths of an acre park was donated in December, 1976, to the Park Board by Virginia Phelps in memory of her parents, George and Ida Smith.

This park is a small neighborhood park that has a small playground and a basketball court.

Children are often visible playing in the area.

MARKLE MILL PARK Markle Mill Park is situated on Mill Dam Road on Otter Creek in northern Vigo County. The eight acre parcel of land was quitclaim deeded to Vigo County on July 27, 1999, by Hulman & Company. In 1816, Colonel Abraham Markle constructed a dam over Otter Creek and built a grist-sawmill. At one time a distillery sat on the site. Only the dam and remnants of the mill foundation remain. The site is a registered historic landmark. It was the desire of the HulmanGeorge family to have the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department serve as a caretaker of this historic property for the benefit of the community.

Much has been written and is available on the history of the site. According to history enthusiasts, the mill was the longest operating gristmill east of the Mississippi River. At one point in time, it was part of the underground railroad.

The park attracts the general public due to the waterfall over the dam. A gazebo, picnic tables, and a grill are available to visitors. The esthetic qualities of the park draw in fishermen, lunch hour clientele, history enthusiasts, neighbors, and individuals seeking a quiet place.

Additional Recreational Locations in Vigo County Vigo County benefits from both city and county parks and recreation departments. The Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department owns over 1,000 acres of land within the city limits. The city has four community city parks, ten neighborhood parks, seven block parks, three golf courses, one Frisbee disc course, two recreation centers, Dobbs Nature Center, a Native American Museum, and two recreation centers. Swimming pools, lakes for fishing, tennis courts, extensive programming, etc. are available to not only city residents, but also county residents. The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department’s philosophy has been not to duplicate the city’s facilities and programs, but instead provide the land and facilities for people to come and recreate as they so desire. The Vigo County parks system more closely resembles state or federal park systems.

In addition to the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department, there are many other private and community recreation facilities and programs in Vigo County. K.O.A. has a campground located in Terre Haute near I-70 and Indiana State Road 46. Community and recreation facilities include the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, and the student recreation centers on the campuses of the local universities.

There are four art museums: the Sheldon Swope Art Museum, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College Art Gallery, the Seamon Salon at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and the Indiana State University Art Gallery. Other museums include: C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Terre Haute 41

Brewing Company Museum, Bleemel Antique Store, Wabash Valley Railroader Museum, Clabber Girl Museum and General Store, the Fire and Police Museum, the Vigo County Historical Museum, Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute, and the earlier mentioned Native American Museum.

Other attractions include: the Allen Memorial Planetarium, Oakley Observatory, the Eugene V. Debs Museum, the Paul Dresser Memorial Birthplace, Farrington’s Grove Historic Residential District Tour, the Hook Astronomical Observatory, Inland Aquatics, Providence Center, White Violet Center for EcoJustice, and many theatres (old and new).

Vigo County citizens have a very wide variety of recreational facilities, activities, and programs available to them.

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Special Events and Programming Date: February (all month) February (3rd weekend) April (2nd Saturday) 3rd Sat. of summer months May (4th Saturday) June (2nd Saturday) October (1st full weekend) November (2nd Saturday) December (1st full weekend)

Event: Maple Sugarin’ Days Pancake Breakfast Swamp Stomp Summer in the Village Triathlon ½ Day Relay Pioneer Days Fall Classic Christmas Walk

Organized By: Vigo County Parks and Recreation Vigo County Parks and Recreation Wabash Valley Roadrunners The Village Folk Union Hospital Wabash Valley Roadrunners Vigo County Parks and Recreation Wabash Valley Roadrunners Vigo County Parks and Recreation

Additional Special Events and Programming in Vigo County Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department, the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Vigo County Public Library offer a wide range of programming for all ages in a vast array of interests.

Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and St. Mary-of-the Woods College offer varieties of arts and entertainment events throughout the year. Local theatrical groups include Children’s Theatre of Terre Haute, Community Theatre of Terre Haute, and StageWorks.

For those individuals who enjoy music, there are: the Terre Haute Sinfonietta, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, the Terre Haute Concert Band, the Terre Haute Choral Society, Sweet Harmony Women’s Barbershop Chorus, the Banks of the Wabash Barbershop Chorus, the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department’s Summer Concert Series.

The Wabash Valley Dragway, the Terre Haute Action Track, the Terre Haute Quarter Midget Races, and the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center Inc. provide spectator sports. This is in addition to the football, baseball, softball, basketball, track and field, and tennis spectator sports available not only at the institutions of higher education, but also in the Vigo County School Corporation system.

For individuals seeking physical fitness, there are: three bowling facilities, an indoor skating rink, an indoor tennis club, the YMCA, a go-cart center, a variety of miniature golf courses, golf courses and golf driving ranges, plus a number of privately owned sports and fitness centers. Softball leagues include: Terre Haute Miss Softball America, Terre Haute Softball Association, Wabash Valley Girls Softball League, the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department Softball League, and the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center Inc. leagues.

In the summer, swimmers can go to the city parks’ swimming pools or the beaches at the county parks.

During the winter, swimming pools are available at the YMCA as well as a number of local motels.

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Services Beaches Fowler Park (Swim at your own risk) Hawthorn Park (Guarded Memorial Day-Weekend before school starts) Camping Fowler Park (electric and primitive) Hawthorn Park (electric and primitive) Prairie Creek Park (electric only) Educational Tours Pioneer Village Maple Syrup Sugar Camp Nature Tours Goose Harvest Hawthorn Park Internships Undergraduate Graduate Maple Syrup Production Sales Large Event Park Use Triathlon Wabash Valley Road Runner events West Terre Haute Easter Egg Hunt Service Days/Volunteer Projects Activity Days (schools) Rentals

Log Barn Meeting Room Shelters Church Labyrinth

Research Undergraduate Graduate Doctoral Professional

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Speaking Engagements Various Topics Special Events Mini-Pioneer Days (Canceled for 2010, uncertain for future) Pancake Breakfast Pioneer Days Christmas Walk

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Partnerships Banks of the Wabash Covered Bridge Gateway Trails Association Ducks Unlimited Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife Division of Forestry Division of Outdoor Recreation Indiana Maple Syrup Association Indiana Park and Recreation Association Indiana State University National Wild Turkey Federation-Women in the Outdoors Natural Resource and Conservation Service Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Vigo County Resource, Conservation, and Development Council Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department Vigo County Historical Society Vigo County School Corporation Village Folk Wabash River Development and Beautification Committee Wabash River Heritage Commission Wabash Valley Community Foundation Wabash Valley Roadrunners West Central Indiana Economic Development District

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Accessibility and Universal Design Designated ADA coordinator Kara Kish, Assistant Superintendent Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Vigo County Government Building 155 Oak Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807 Phone: 812-462-3392 Fax: 812-232-2862 Kara.Kish@VigoCounty.in.gov Self-evaluation Facilities currently ADA compliant: Beaches (partial) Campgrounds Campground amenities (partial) Fields Fowler Park Log Barn Fowler Park Pioneer Village (partial) Fully-accessible trail Parking lots/areas Playgrounds (partial) Shelters Programs currently ADA compliant: Christmas Walk Pancake Breakfast Pioneer Days & Mini Pioneer Days Self-evaluation-inaccessible facilities and programs Facilities currently not ADA compliant: Beaches (partial) Campground amenities (partial) Fowler Park Pioneer Village (partial) Playgrounds (partial) Trails Suggested improvements, estimated costs, person(s) responsible, and timeline Beaches (partial) Beachfront areas are not currently fully accessible from the designated parking lots/areas. A sidewalk must be installed to attach the areas. The estimated cost for this project is approximately $200. The projects will be overseen by the park Foreman. All 47

beaches will be fully accessible no later than 2011.

Campground amenities (partial) Amenities within the campground areas (picnic tables, fire rings, grills) are not currently fully accessible. Additional/replacement picnic tables, fire rings, and grills have been ordered, but due to budget constraints, the quantity needed to be fully-accessible does not currently exist. The estimated cost for this project is approximately $200/ADA compliant picnic table, $230/ADA compliant fire ring, and $115/ADA compliant grill. The purchase of additional/replacement amenities is the responsibility of the Assistant Superintendent. All campground amenities will be fully accessible no later than 2014.

Fowler Park Pioneer Village (partial) Several cabins within the Pioneer Village still need to be fit for accessible entrances.

There will be no cost to achieve these improvements; ramps can be made with excess lumber available to the park maintenance staff. The projects will be overseen by the park Foreman. All cabins will be fully accessible no later than 2011.

Playgrounds (partial) Many of the playgrounds in the park system need additions/improvements to make both the sites accessible and the playground equipment accessible. There will be a large cost associated with the addition/improvement on playground facilities. Examples of costs will range from approximately $600 for the addition of an ADA compliant swing to a cost of $10,000-$20,000 for a fully accessible playground. Planning, grant writing, purchasing, and installation of new playground equipment are the responsibility of the Assistant Superintendent. All playground sites will be fully accessible no later than 2011. All playgrounds will have fully accessible equipment no later than 2014. All playgrounds will be fully accessible no later than 2020.

Nature Trails Nature trails, existing within the parks system, are unable to be ADA compliant with the exception of the fully-accessible trail. The nature trails wind through natural terrain that can be steep, slick, and have non-accessible surfacing (water bars) to prevent erosion.

Construction for another fully-accessible trail would cost approximately $20,000 to surface. Planning, implementation, and upkeep are the responsibility of the Foreman.

Public notice of ADA requirements Currently no information is available to the public about our accessible facilities and programming, above required posting of accessible parking.

Future formats for information will include: • Signage at the entrance to Fowler Park, Hawthorn Park, and Prairie Creek Park stating that accessible maps are available at Maintenance Shop locations, the Parks office, and online. To be completed summer 2010. • Detailed maps to indicate accessible locations for all Vigo County parks. To be completed summer 2010.

It has been determined, with the assistance and advice of the Indiana Institute on Disability and 48

Community, that signage will not be displayed (shelters, picnic tables, trails, etc.) to signify accessibility.

It is the belief that posting of signage only advances negative social stigmas associated with disability.

Information about ADA grievance procedures Any person(s) may contact the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department ADA Coordinator with concerns, complaints, questions, and/or comments. The ADA Coordinator can be reached anytime Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

If the ADA Coordinator is not available and you require immediate assistance, please see the Foreman at Fowler Park, Hawthorn Park, or Prairie Creek Park Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Kara Kish, Assistant Superintendent/ADA Coordinator Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Vigo County Government Building 155 Oak Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807 Phone: 812-462-3392 Fax: 812-232-2862 Kara.Kish@VigoCounty.in.gov Fowler Park 3000 E. Oregon Church Road, Terre Haute, IN 47802 Phone: 812-462-3413 Hawthorn Park 6067 E. Old Maple Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47807 Phone: 812-462-3225 Prairie Creek Park 3230 W. French Drive, Terre Haute, IN 47802 Phone: 812-898-2279

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COMMUNITY OVERVIEW History of Vigo County

Geographic Information

Demographics: Social, Economic, and Education Factors Natural Features and Landscapes

Man‐Made, Historical, and Cultural Features

50 52 53 55 57

History of Vigo County Four national flags, Spanish, French, English, and American, have flown over the land now known as Vigo County (pronounced Vee-go). If the Miami Indians had had a flag, there would have been five. The village of the Wea Indians, members of the Miami Indian confederation, was situated on the high bank of the Wabash, where the Old Indian Orchard was once located. The village was called Quitateno, pronounced Weauteno, meaning Rising Sun. Trappers, traders, and explorers crisscrossed the area.

They found one-fifth of the area in luxuriant prairie grass. Little blue stem thrived on the upland soil while the tall blue stem preferred the wetland soil. The rest of the terrain was covered with miles of dense forests and numerous waterways. Deer, buffalo, wild turkeys, and waterfowl were present in abundance making it an ideal hunting ground.

Vigo County is located in the heart of the original tract of land called the Northwest Territory. On May 7, 1800, Indiana Territory was set out as a separate Territory by an Act of Congress. William Henry Harrison was named Governor and Superintendent of Indian Affairs. His task was to secure more land and provide room for the tide of white settlers that would soon arrive. Tecumseh appealed to Governor Harrison on two occasions to repudiate the 1809 Treaty of Fort Wayne and restore the land to the Indians, threatening to have the chiefs that sold the land put to death. Tecumseh said, "‌the Great Spirit ordered us to come here and we shall stay." Harrison explained that the U.S. had always tried to deal justly with the Indians, but the land could not be returned to them.

In 1811, fearful that Tecumseh was going to excite the Indians of the region against the U.S., Governor Harrison led an expedition up the Wabash to confront the hostile Indians under Tecumseh's leadership.

Sixty-five miles from Vincennes, he selected the site of Fort Harrison which was built immediately. The spot was on high ground on the east bank of the river, a short distance above the present site of Terre Haute. Later, Captain Zachary Taylor defended the stockade against an attack of marauding Indians.

Out of the events at Fort Harrison emerged two presidents - William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor.

Fort Harrison, henceforth, provided protection for anyone traveling or settling in the area.

The lands of Vigo County were surveyed by Deputy Surveyors, William Harris and Arthur Henrie in the years 1814-1816. A public sale was held at the Vincennes land office on September 13 and 14, 1816.

The official plat for Terre Haute was filed and recorded on October 25, 1816; just nine months after Indiana had been admitted to the union. The word "Terre Haute," derived from the French "terre" land, and "haute" high, signifies high land. Early explorers gave the land this name as it was the only high ground approaching the river for several miles. Settlement of the territory, in and around Terre Haute, was rapid due to the fertility of the rich soil. Often, crops were planted and raised long before a cabin was built to shelter the settler.

Vigo County, including what is now Parke County, was formed by an act of the Legislature at the first state capitol at Corydon, Indiana, on January 21, 1818. Vigo County had been a portion of Sullivan County which had previously been a portion of Knox County which included the region now known as Indiana and Michigan.

The county was named after Colonel Francis Vigo, an Italian turned Spanish soldier turned successful American trapper and trader in the Mississippi and Wabash River Valleys turned Revolutionary War spy.

Vigo proved valuable in dealing with the Indians and arbitrated disputes between the whites and 50

Indians. In 1802, he was a delegate to the Indiana Territory Convention. In his will Vigo designated that $500.00 be spent on a bell for the courthouse in the county that was his namesake. The sound of that bell can be heard yet today.

As an inducement to locate the county seat in Terre Haute, the proprietors deeded over 80 lots and the public square to the county and paid $4,000.00 into the county treasury. On March 21, 1818, the Commissioners, appointed for that purpose, selected Terre Haute as the seat of justice for Vigo County.

Its professional bench and bar extended over a large number of counties.

Vigo County became a focal point for commerce and travel in western Indiana. It was noted for its rapid development in agricultural, manufacturing and banking lines. The Wabash River became the main artery for travel and trade. It saved the settlers from stagnation and isolation. Its channels stimulated business and established the foundation for growth. The Old National Road, now U.S. 40, cemented the path of development. It was the "Gateway to the West." The Old Indian Orchard and the woods and prairies gave way to fields and fences, houses and barns, bridges and railroads, and mills and factories.

This spelled the beginning of the evolution of the present Vigo County.

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Geographic Information: Location Vigo County is located in west central Indiana. It is 507 feet above sea level at latitude 39’28” N and longitude 87’24” W. It is bordered by Parke and Vermillion Counties to the north, to the east is Clay County, to the south is Sullivan County, and the state of Illinois is on the west. Vigo, Clay, and Vermillion Counties comprise the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

The county has four incorporated areas: the city of Terre Haute and the towns of West Terre Haute, Seelyville, and Riley. The city of Terre Haute serves as the county seat.

Highways and Neighboring Large Cities Highways Interstate 70 east-west, U.S. 40 and 150 east-west, U.S. 41 north-south, Indiana 46 east-west, and Indiana 63 north-south provide easy access to and from Vigo County.

Metropolitan cities within an 180 mile radius of Vigo County are: Chicago, Ill.; Cincinnati, Oh.; Evansville, Ind.; Indianapolis, Ind.; and St. Louis, Mo. Time Zone Vigo County is on Eastern Standard Time and adjusts for Daylight Savings Times from April through October.

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Demographics: Social, Economic, and Education Factors All statistical information collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey.

Social Total Population Male Population Female Population Population 18 and over Population 65 and over Median Age White Black or African American American Indiana Asian Hispanic Veteran Status age 18 and over

105,706 50% 50% 82, 448 (78%) 14,328 (14%) 35.8 89.2% 6.3% .2% 1.7% 1.6% 11.4%

Economic Leading Industries (employed population 16 and over) Educational Services, Health 28% Care, and Social Assistance Manufacturing 15% Retail Trade 13% Arts, Entertainment, 9% Recreation, Accommodation, And Food Services Households 41,465 Occupied Housing Units 47,228 Vacant Housing Units 5,823 (12.3%) Average Household Size 2.32 Median Household Income $37,082 Median Monthly Housing (mortgage) $955.00 People in Poverty 20% Education Population enrolled in school (ages 3 years and older) High School Graduate or Greater Bachelors Degree or Greater

30,283 84.1% 21.8%

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Analysis Several striking details are evident in the data collected by the American Community Survey.

First, a significant portion of the population in Vigo County is over the age of 65 (14%). In the coming years, this number will continue to grow to the aging of the baby boomer generation.

Second, Vigo County is home to a large number of military veterans (11.4%). And third, Vigo County has an extremely high number of people in poverty (20%).

Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department is positioned to offer a tremendous value to these populations. Trails, including a fully-accessible trail, labyrinth, and paved roads offer an excellent, free opportunity for an aging generation to engage in physical fitness and socialization. Free access to public parkland ensures that those without the means to pay for recreational opportunities will have all our locations open to them. Veteran’s can find peace and solitude in the Vigo County parks system. Opportunities to fish, hunt, and camp are available to all veterans.

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Natural Features and Landscapes Topography Before continental ice sheets covered Vigo County, it was a rugged, hilly area. The last three ice ages, the Kansan, the Illinois, and the Wisconsin, brought about many changes. The entire county was covered by boulders and pebbles in the clay matrix called, glacial till. The combined deposits left by these glaciers are as much as 150 feet in thickness. These deposits make up virtually all the surface features of Vigo County.

Presently, the topography of the county falls into three divisions - the river valleys, the upland, and the till plain. The most prominent feature of the river valleys is the Wabash River Valley which extends the entire length of the county and covers about one fourth of Vigo County. The flood plains of the Wabash River occupy 11% of the county and average approximately 20 feet above the low level of the river. Terraces rise from 50 to 75 feet above the river, but merge into the flood plain in the southern part of the county. The City of Terre Haute is situated on such a terrace. East and west of the Wabash River extensive dissected and leached uplands formed from the Illinois ice sheet occupies about 55% of the area outside of the river and terrace area.

These uplands have an elevation which averages about 150 feet above the Wabash River. The general level plains are located in the northwestern part of the county and comprise about 50 square miles. Within the 415 square miles of the county, the elevation ranges between 450 feet and 600 feet.

Soils Vigo County has eight different types of soil that make up the land. Soil associations and a general soil map of the county have been compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. Knowing these soils, their abilities and limitations, gives the department an edge in planning for open space, facilities, recreational activities, and conservation efforts.

Water The tributary streams of the Wabash River flow easterly and westerly with a trend toward the south. The southerly dip of the county’s substrata not only causes a southerly trend in the direction of stream movement, but also causes them to crowd their southern banks. The south branch of Honey Creek is the only stream of any size flowing toward the north. The greater portion of the surface of the county slopes toward the Wabash River, but portions of Riley and Pierson Townships are in the valley of the Eel River. The major tributaries of the Wabash River include Otter Creek, Lost Creek, Honey Creek, Prairie Creek, Coal Creek, Sugar Creek, and Clear Creek.

Climate Vigo County’s climate is humid continental. It is influenced by the interaction of warm air masses from the Gulf of Mexico and cool, dry Canadian air masses. As a result, weather conditions are changeable. Temperatures rarely fall below 0 F in winter; the mean annual 55

temperature in 2009 was 53.1 F. Agricultural Activity Much of the county is on uplands and ranges from large, nearly level areas to very steep broken land. Many areas along the bottom are subject to flooding by the Wabash River. About two thirds of the acreage in Vigo County is used for crops and cropland. Cash grain farming is the major farming enterprise in the county, but general farming is still important. Livestock and livestock products are the major sources of farm income on the general farms. Presently, 500 acres of farmland is lost each year, mostly due to poor economy, and also development.

Land Availability/Interest At this time, no land acquisition is desired during the scope of this Master Plan.

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Man-Made, Historical, and Cultural Features Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Pioneer Village at Fowler Park The pioneer village is the center of attraction for a number of events held annually at the park. The Village Folk, a volunteer group, brings the village alive for the Pancake/Maple Syrup Breakfast, Pioneer Days, and Pioneer Village Christmas Walk.

Visitors come from the local area as well as from all over the United States and foreign countries. Thousands of people attend each event. In a joint educational effort, the Parks Department and the Vigo County School Corporation co-sponsor Mini-Pioneer Days each October. All fourth-grade students participate in the event. Park staff, school personnel, and numerous community volunteers work together to take the students back in time. The event for 2010 has been cancelled due to the budgetary constraints of the Vigo County School Corporation; the future of this event is undetermined for the coming years. The village is open on Saturdays during the summer months for Summer in the Village. Tours are given to individuals and groups upon request. The village is frequently the scene of weddings; couples choose the church, gristmill, or the Irishman’s covered bridge for their backdrop.

In 1990, the nonprofit organization, Fowler Park Village Folk, was integrated to assist the Parks Department with tours and re-enactors/staffing for special events. Monies raised by this group of volunteers are used solely for educational projects, capital improvements and repairs, acquisitions, and the historic preservation of the pioneer village.

Markle Mill at Markle Mill Park Located in northern Vigo County, the eight acre parcel of land was quitclaim deeded to the county on July 27, 1999, by Hulman & Company. In 1816, Colonel Abraham Markle constructed a dam over Otter Creek and built a grist-sawmill. At one time a distillery also sat on the site. Only the dam and remnants of the mill foundation remain. The site is officially registered as an historic landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

It was the desire of the Hulman-George family to have the county Parks Department serve as a caretaker of this historic property for the benefit of the community.

Much has been written and is available on the history of the site. According to history buffs, the mill was the longest operating gristmill east of the Mississippi River. At one point in time, it was part of the underground railroad. The esthetic qualities of the park draws in fishermen, lunch hour clientele, history buffs, neighbors, and individuals seeking a quiet place.

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Sugar Camp at Prairie Creek Park Prairie Creek Park is best known for its Sugar Camp. In January, maple trees are tapped in the park and surrounding areas. The sap is collected and routed, using plastic tubing and a pump system, to a holding tank located next to the Sugar Cabin. The Sugar Cabin is an authentic log cabin with evaporating equipment to produce maple syrup. As maple syrup is produced, it is strained, bottled, and available for purchase. The Sugar Cabin is open to visitors any time a sufficient amount of sap is available to fire the evaporator.

Kenneth E. Smith Memorial Labyrinth and Meditation Garden at Hawthorn Park The Kenneth E. Smith Memorial Labyrinth is located in Hawthorn Park immediately south of Dogwood Shelter. The labyrinth, completed in 2003, is an 80 foot diameter circle constructed out of aggregate mix concrete. It is patterned after the labyrinth that was laid on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France around 1220 A.D. The singular path is switchback, turning and twisting, forcing walkers to concentrate as they make their way forward to the middle of the labyrinth and back again. There are 34 turns on the path going to the center. The path is 30" wide with 6" in-between allowing wheelchairs or walkers to be used. A meditation garden surrounds the labyrinth. A comfortable swing, benches, a babbling water fountain, rosebushes, trees, and shrubs create a quiet space and blend into the park proper.

The labyrinth has been found in all traditions throughout history in various forms around the world. It is an ancient therapeutic tool that has been rediscovered and is growing in popularity. Unlike the maze, the labyrinth has only one path so there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. Labyrinths have been used for different purposes from serving as spaces for meditation, ritual, community celebrations, gatherings, and children's games to being used as places for guides and holistic problem-solving devices. Presently, labyrinths are being built at hospitals, schools, parks, spas, nursing homes, and even in individuals' yards.

This labyrinth and garden is designed for all ages, those experiencing grief or emotional problems or those who simply want to free their minds of the pressures of the day.

Children simply enjoy the challenge of staying within the boundaries of the path.

Mrs. Lavern Smith donated the major part of the funding for this project in memory of her late husband, Kenneth E. Smith, who died in May 2000.

Other Vigo County Features Amphitheater Concrete seat amphitheater on the Banks of the Wabash River.

Courthouse Serves as the county seat.

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Kampgrounds of America Recreational vehicle and tent camping sites.

Museums C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust Museum and Education Center The museum exists to educate children and adults about the effects of hatred and prejudice. Exhibits emphasize the lessons of the Holocaust: families, forgiveness and perseverance.

Children’s Science and Technology Museum Hands-on interactive science & technology exhibits, the museum provides opportunity to interact with exhibits thereby fostering an appreciation of science and technology in daily life.

Clabber Girl Museum and Country Store Native American Museum - Dobbs Park Explore the culture of people that first inhabited the United States. Enjoy exhibits, culture, education, heirloom & wildflower gardens.

Sheldon Swope Art Museum Renovated in 2003, the museum is located in a historic 1901 Italian Renaissance Revival building, and features works from late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Collection highlights include works by American artists Edward Hopper, Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, Andy Warhol, and Robert Motherwell.

National Road Heritage Trail Walk, run, bike or roller blade your way down the National Road Heritage Trail. A beautiful 7-mile stretch of paved trail makes the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors.

Jump on the trail at the Twigg Rest Area on US Hwy 40 at Hunt Road.

Wabash Valley Family Sports Center, Inc. Several cross-country meets are hosted here at the Lavern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course. The annual schedule includes the IHSAA state meet, the NCAA National Championship and several other collegiate meets.

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PARK SECURITY & SAFETY Security Evaluation

Security Planning

Security Contact

Park Policies

Staff Safety Education Safety Contacts

Compliant OSHA Practices

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Security Evaluation In March 2010, the Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent met with the County Sherriff, Jon Marvel, to evaluate the current level of security provided within the Vigo County parks system. It was determined that due to the small staff of the Sheriff’s Office patrols of the parks would be infrequent. Due to this, options available to the Parks and Recreation Department staff were discussed to increase the level of security.

At the request of the Superintendent, a inquiry was made to determine if a current ordinance existed that permitted Park Staff to request, and if needed, demand persons to exit the property. In addition, could this demand be extended beyond a single day for severe violations of Park Policies. Purposes for such an ordinance extend to the safety of other park visitors, integrity of park facilities, as well as the safety of the person in violation of Park Policy.

It was determined that an ordinance extending these rights to Parks and Recreation Department staff was never created. In April 2010, research began to draft an appropriate ordinance for Vigo County Commissioner ratification. It is hopeful that an ordinance will be passed prior to the summer season.

Security Planning The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent will meet annually with the Vigo County Sheriff to discuss the state of security within the parks system. This meeting will be an opportunity for the Administrative Staff to raise concerns from situations encountered during the year, and the Sheriff to provide solutions and assist the Department in a review.

Communication with the Sheriff’s Office will not be limited to this annual meeting; however, this is an opportunity to plan for the upcoming season and discuss security measures.

Security Contact Vigo County Sheriff’s Office 201 Cherry Street Terre Haute, IN 47807 Phone: 812-462-3226 Fax: 812-462-3318

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Park Policies By entering Vigo County parkland you agree to abide to the Park Policies as listed below: 1. Park Hours are 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. (March 1-Ocotber 15) and 7:00 a.m.-6 p.m. (October 16February 28/29) 2. Campgrounds are open May 1-October 15 at Fowler, Hawthorn, and Prairie Creek Parks.

3. Alcohol is not permitted on park property.

4. Firearms and fireworks are not permitted on park property. This includes BB guns, air guns, and spear guns. Exception: Goose Harvest at Hawthorn Park during designated date/time.

5. State law requires fishing licenses. Bass less than 14 inches must be released. No trout lines, bush lines, or jug fishing are permitted.

6. Place all trash in receptacles.

7. Only park vehicles in designated parking areas.

8. Children must be supervised at all times.

9. Pets are welcome; however, they must not be left unattended. They must be kept on a leash and not tied to a tree.

10. Fires are permitted only in grills or designated areas. All fires must be extinguished prior to leaving the site.

11. No trees, plants, wild animals or birds are to be disturbed. Mushrooms, persimmons, walnuts, and wild berries may be collected.

12. Picnic tables may not be moved from the shelters.

13. Boats may only have trolling motors. Each boat occupant must have a life jacket or cushion.

14. Swimming is permitted only where posted.

15. Do not feed geese or other wildlife.

16. No bikes or other modes of transportation are permitted on hiking/foot-only trails.

17. Horses are permitted on designated horse trails in the Fowler Park Wilderness Area and on paved roads within Fowler Park. Riders are responsible for disposing of fecal material dropped.

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18. Playground equipment must be used as designed. Climbing on the outside of equipment or using the equipment for a purpose other than it was designed may result in a serious injury and ultimately in the removal of that piece of equipment. Young children should never be left at the playground unsupervised.

19. Motorized vehicles (mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, golf carts, etc.) are allowed on park roads only if driven responsibly by a LICENSED DRIVER. NO go-carts.

20. The Park Department is not responsible for any items lost or stolen while visiting the park. Do not leave vehicles unlocked or personal items out in the open.

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Staff Safety Education Beginning in 2010, all full-time Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department staff will participate in monthly safety education sessions. Session topics vary based on the needs of the staff. (Some sessions may be substituted for Human Resource Presentations.) Staff safety education is not conducted in the months of October, November, and December due to Special Events.

Examples of staff safety education topics include: • • • •

Fire Extinguisher Training Lockout/Tagout Procedures First Aid Certification Emergency Equipment Training

Safety Contacts Vigo County Health Department 147 Oak Street Terre Haute, IN 47807 Phone: 812-462-3428 Linton Township Volunteer Fire Department 2389 E. Cotton Drive Pimento, IN 47866

Compliant OSHA Practices For each Accident Report received • • • • •

Indiana Workers Compensation First Report for Employee Injury and Illness Incident Inquiry Form Signature of Employee on Medical Authorization OSHA’s Form 301: Injury and illness Incident Report All subsequent doctors’ notes submitted to the Vigo County Human Resource Director

Annual reports completed • • •

OSHA’s Form 300: Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses OSHA’s Form 300A: Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses “Worksheet to Help you Fill out the Summary” 63

FOUNDATION FUNDS Wabash Valley Community Foundation

Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Funds

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Wabash Valley Community Foundation The Wabash Valley Community Foundation currently manages several funds for Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.

The Wabash Valley Community Foundation was founded in 1991 to build the Valley's philanthropic resources. They encourage people to create permanently endowed funds that support charitable opportunities throughout Vigo County’s local communities now and forever. The staff members, along with board members and volunteers, work together to assure donors achieve their charitable goals. The Community Foundation assists individuals in matching their charitable interests with the communities' needs. The Wabash Valley Community Foundation informs and engages people and organizations in supporting their communities.

Contact Beth Tevlin, Executive Director 2901 Ohio Boulevard, Suite 153 Terre Haute, IN 47803 Phone: 812-232-2234 Fax: 812-234-4853 beth@wvcf.com

Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Funds Endowment Fund Projects Fund Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area Fund

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NEEDS ANALYSIS Public Participation #1 ‐ Community Survey

Public Participation #2 ‐ Organization Focus Groups Public Participation #3 ‐ Public Forum

Issue Analysis

Park Specific Needs

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Public Participation #1 Community Survey Distribution Print:

Ran in Tribune-Star on November 6 and November 13, 2009.

Hard copies were available in the Parks and Recreation office November 5-December 15

Web:

Link to Survey Monkey posted to www.vigocounty.in.gov (Parks Department homepage) November 5-December 15

Number of surveys collected Print: 21 Web: 168 Total: 189 Acknowledgement of suspected error in collected data It was apparent that some surveys were incorrectly completed. Notes would be made in the margins of the print copies or the ‘other’ in the web surveys, referring to Terre Haute city parks.

This only further acknowledges the mistake community members continue to make, that there is a mistake in identifying city parks verses county parks. This confusion was present even when a map of ONLY Vigo County parks was included.

Survey questions How often do you and/or your family visit a Vigo County Park?

(Hawthorn Park, Fowler Park, Prairie Creek Park, Wetlands, etc).

Daily Weekly Monthly Several times a year Yearly Never How close do you live to the nearest Vigo County park?

Less than 1 mile 1-3 miles 3.1-5 miles 5.1-7 miles 7.1-10 miles 10+ miles

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What park activities do you and/or your family participate in?

(Please circle all that apply) Basketball Biking Fishing Hiking/Walking Hunting Labyrinth Nature Picnicking Playgrounds Research Shelter/Barn Rentals Special Events Swimming Tennis Wetland Observation Other: ______________ Do you or those living with you participate in outdoor activities as much as you would like?

(Please circle one) Yes No If no, what are the reasons that you or those that live with you do not participate in outdoor activities?

Lack of time Not convenient Money Lack of facilities Lack of info Lack of interest Other: _______________________ Rate the overall quality and upkeep of the parks in Vigo County.

Great Good Fair Satisfactory Poor Do you feel there is a need for natural/passive parks in other locations within Vigo County?

(Please circle one) Yes No If yes, where? _____________________

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Do you feel all age groups and abilities are being provided for in the Vigo County Parks?

(Please circle one) Yes No If no, what groups are underserved? ____________________ Vigo County Park and Recreation Department is interested in enhancing the benefits of Prairie Creek Park by adding an Outdoor Education Center to the newly finished Elliott Woods Trail system. The Outdoor Education Center would include locations for group camping, educational meeting rooms, and the potential for a team low-ropes challenge course. The Outdoor Education Center would serve school groups, scout groups, church groups, and other private group rentals.

Would you be in support of an Outdoor Education Center at Prairie Creek Park?

(Please circle one) Yes No Please list the number of individuals for each age group in your household: 0-5 6-12 13-18 19-29 30-39 40-54 55+

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Public Participation #1 Community Survey - Data Summary How often to you and/or your family visit a Vigo County park?

Daily Weekly Monthly Several/Year Yearly Never

How close do you live to the nearest Vigo County park?

< 1 mile 1-3 miles 3.1-5 miles 5.1-7 miles 7.1-10 mile 10+ miles

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What park activities do you and/or your family participate in?

Basketball Biking Fishing Hiking/Walking Hunting Labyrinth Nature Picnicking Playgrounds Research Shelter/Barn Rentals Special Events Swimming Tennis Wetland Observation Other

Do you or those living with you participate in outdoor activities as much as you would like?

Yes No

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If no, what are the reasons that you or those that live with you do not participate in outdoor activities?

Lack of Time Not Convenient Money Lack of Facilities Lack of Information Transportation Lack of Interest

Rate the overall quality and upkeep of the parks in Vigo County.

Great Good Fair Satisfactory Poor

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Do you feel there is a need for natural/passive parks in other locations within Vigo County?

Yes No

Do you feel that all age groups and abilities are being provided for in the Vigo County parks?

Yes No

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Would you be in support of an Outdoor Education Center at Prairie Creek Park?

Yes No

Please list the number of individuals for each age group in your household.

0 to 5 6 to 12 13 to 18 19 to 29 30 to 39 40 to 54 55+

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Public Participation #2 Community Organization Focus Groups The second form of public participation for the 2010-2014 Master Plan used focus groups to identify the current use of county parkland by community organizations and ways in which these organizations can utilize county parkland to a greater extent.

36 invitations were mailed to various community organizations on December 30, 2009.

Managers/Presidents/CEOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s were invited to represent their respective organizations. The organizations invited include: Natural Resources Conservation Service, Vigo County City of Terre Haute Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department Indiana State University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Leadership Wabash Valley Terre Haute Girl Scouts Service Center Vigo County School Corporation Vigo County Public Library United Way of the Wabash Valley Purdue University Cooperative, Vigo County Terre Haute Children's Museum US Penitentiary, Terre Haute Indiana State Cross Country Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau ISU Department of Recreation and Sport Management First Financial Bank Ivy Tech Community College ISU Department of Earth and Environmental Systems American Red Cross of the Wabash Valley Swope Art Museum Terre Haute Young Leaders Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Simple to Elegant Terre Haute Symphony Association Arts Illiana Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vigo County Terre Haute Boy Scouts Service Center Junior Achievement of the Wabash Valley Terre Haute Humane Society 73

Indiana Department of Natural Resources Wabash Valley Road Runner's Club Bearable Weddings and Special Events, LLC. Community Organizations Represented at Focus Groups Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department Indiana State University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Vigo County School Corporation Vigo County Public Library Purdue University Cooperative Extension Office Terre Haute Children's Museum US Penitentiary, Terre Haute Indiana State Cross Country ISU Department of Recreation and Sport Mgt. ISU Department of Earth and Enviro. Systems Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Junior Achievement of the Wabash Valley Sycamore Trails Forestry Committee Focus groups dates Wednesday, January 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 28 at 1:00 p.m.

Agenda • • • • •

History of Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Current parks and amenities of the parks system Discussion: How does your organization currently utilize the parks system?

Discussion: What are some ways your organization can utilize the current parks system more frequently?

Discussion: What (new facilities, new amenities, etc.) would influence your organization to utilize the parks system more frequently?

Focus Group facilitators Keith Ruble Superintendent, Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Kara Kish Assistant Superintendent, Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department

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Public Participation #2 Focus Groups - Meeting Minutes Focus Group #1 Wednesday, January 26, 2010 10:30 a.m.

In attendance Holly Pies, Vigo County School Corporation Dr. Daniel Bradley, ISU President John Hancewicz, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service Julie Hart, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service Dr. James Speer, ISU Mike Howard, Rose-Hulman Jeff Bishop, US Penitentiary Brian Stewart, US Penitentiary John McNichols, ISU & Wetlands River Committee Rod Henry, Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Kara Kish, Assistant Superintendent Welcomed guests. Introduced Keith Ruble and self. Purpose of outreach group meetings is to obtain input from organizations in the community.

Keith Ruble, Superintendent In 1961 Governor Matthew Welsh formed advisory group to study recreation in each county.

H.E.L.P. (Housewives Effort for Local Progress) felt Vigo County needed an outdoor recreation park. Commissioner Harry Brentlinger was instrumental in getting Peabody Coal Company to donate land for the first county park; Fowler Park was created in 1967. Since 1967, Fowler Park has grown from 140 acres to 460+. The park has 63 modern campsites, 16 log cabins with two currently being built, and the only covered bridge in the county. The Fowler Park Wilderness Area, east of Fowler Park, was also deeded to the county from Peabody Coal Company in 1981.

Land, for Prairie Creek Park, was purchased below appraisal value from the Wilson and Elliott families. Elliott Woods, across from Prairie Creek Park, is comprised of an extensive trail system.

The parks department would like to build an outdoor recreation area for overnight stays to teach children about the outdoors. Prairie Creek Park encompasses 280+ acres. Don Foltz was involved in obtaining the land for Hawthorn Park. JI Case Company built JI Case Lake, east of Hawthorn Park. Hawthorn Park now totals 250 acres. Flesher Woods, a state nature reserve, near Hutton, Indiana, consists of 36 acres in a floodplain. The reserve is loaded with pecan trees; Vigo County is the northernmost region for this tree. The latest acquisition of property is west of the Wabash River, called Wabashiki State Fish & Wildlife Area. A green belt was included in the last Master Plan for wetlands along the west side of the Wabash River. William Maher and others placed most of their land in WRP (Wetland Reserve Program), and later sold 75

the tracts to the county for residual value, $295,000. Funding came from the DNR Heritage Trust Grant. The State of Indiana owns half of the property, which comes with the grant. Glen Salmon, Director of Fish & Wildlife with DNR, obtained an additional $75,000 toward the purchase of more property to extend the wetlands. There is also a possibility of getting a North American Waterfowl Grant in March, which could pump in one million dollars for the wetlands project. If other landowners sell, the wetlands could expand to 7,000 acres. The State of Indiana, Department of Natural Resources, is considering building an office on the east side of West Terre Haute. Keith has canoed four times from Otter Creek to Fairbanks Park. Pfizer has 800 acres north of Dallas Road, which may be given to the county for free. This would link the proposed trails systems to the Industrial Park. Keith spoke with Steve Witt, who may help with the acquisition. Keith used large aerial maps as visual aids for his presentation.

Kara Kish, Assistant Superintendent Showed county parks brochure, highlighting the following amenities: Fowler Park – pioneer village, shelters, camping, beach, trails, Wilderness Area, indoor facility, four full-time staff; Hawthorn Park – behind Rose-Hulman, wetlands, shelters, camping, beach, trails, four full-time staff, labyrinth; Prairie Creek – maple syrup, shelters, camping, boat launch, trails, three fulltime staff. Special Events include Maple Sugarin’ Days, Pancake Breakfast, Summer in the Village, Pioneer Days, Mini-Pioneer Days, and Christmas Walk. Asked focus group participants how their organization currently utilizes the county parks and how they could further make use in their current capacity.

Dr. Jim Speer, ISU, Department of Earth & Environmental Systems • • • •

Project based and out in field sampling/work with parks - utilize data, Enviro Club.

Would like to do more projects/set dates Trail maintenance, trash pickup Trail - Dewey Point to wetlands

Jeff Bishop, US Penitentiary • •

Assemble picnic tables, construction within parks Provide a workforce for projects in parks with labor - at least two community service projects a year

John Hancewicz, County Extension Director Julie Hart, 4-H Youth & Development • • • •

Day camp, Extension 4-H in parks.

Funding/transportation issue Fishing & wildlife - people to help Promote air quality to community

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Rod Henry, TH Chamber of Commerce • • •

Communicate to citizens (how to get message) what is offered – promote communication Talk to business leaders - tour parks Build relationships

Holly Pies, Vigo County School Corporation • • •

Mini-Pioneer Days (4th grade) Awesome 20 - field trips, step up grant writing Grants - partner

Dr. Daniel Bradley, ISU President • • •

Attract employees at ISU with riverscape Extend Heritage Trail west and to Brazil Get more info

John McNichols, ISU Head Coach & Wetlands River Committee • • •

Uses trails at Hawthorn Park Need more access points to wetlands with trails More trails to parks through county - cycle, walk, run, N/S

Mike Howard, Rose-Hulman • • •

Uses Hawthorn Park - Athletics, fishing, biology, trails, picnic events Biology students always looking for projects Projects - Biology & Civil Engineering

Wish List (Compiled from all in attendance) • • • • •

River event/fundraiser (short term) Federal funding to develop access to river-NSF Grant Learning center on river/Prairie Creek Park Raft or boat trip opportunities that use river Overnight sites on river

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Focus group #2 Thursday, January 28, 2010 1:00 p.m.

In attendance Dr. Steve Smidley, ISU Dr. Nathan Schaumleffel, ISU Nancy Dowell, Vigo County Public Library Lynn Hughes, TH Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum Larry Owen, Sycamore Trails Forestry Committee Eddie Bird, TH Parks & Recreation Department Veronica Dougherty, Junior Achievement Keith Ruble, Superintendent Told history of Vigo County Parks & Recreation Department. H.E.L.P. (Housewives Effort for Local Progress) felt Vigo County needed to provide outdoor recreation experiences (camping, trails, boating, fishing, swimming, etc.). Commissioner Harry Brentlinger was instrumental in having Peabody Coal Company donate property for the first phase of the park system. Thus, Fowler Park was created in 1967. The first superintendent was Richard Norris. Foundation for the covered bridge was laid in 1969. David Beres was named Superintendent in 1969. The 300+ acres of Fowler Park Wilderness Area was also given to the county from Peabody Coal Company.

Fowler Park now encompasses 460+ acres. It showcases 16 log cabins with two currently under construction. Land was purchased below appraisal value from the Wilson and Elliott families making up Prairie Creek Park. The production of maple syrup started in 1976. The school corporation recommended building an outdoor recreation center for nature study at Elliott Woods, located north of Prairie Creek Park. A waterline is already available at that site; however, no additional plans exist at this time. Prairie Creek Park has grown to over 280 acres.

Tony Hulman originally owned land that is now Hawthorn Park. Don Foltz, who worked for Hulman & Company, was actively involved in acquiring the property for the county in 1982. JI Case Company mainly constructed JI Case Lake east of Hawthorn Park. Hawthorn Park now covers 250+ acres. DNR stocks all the county park lakes. Flesher Woods, a state nature reserve, consists of 36 acres in a flood plain near Hutton, Indiana. Total acreage for county parks is 1,055. A few years back, a gentleman from San Diego told then Mayor Chalos if the area west of the Wabash River could be reforested, it would change the air quality of Terre Haute. The latest acquisition of property is west of the Wabash River called Wabashiki State Fish & Wildlife Area.

William Maher and others signed up for the WRP (Wetland Reserve Program), and later sold their land to the county for the residual value of $295,000. The properties were paid for with a grant from the DNR Indiana Heritage Trust Fund. The State of Indiana owns half of the property, which comes with the grant. The possibility exists of getting a one million dollar, North American Waterfowl Grant in March, toward further development of the wetlands project. At present, 1,855 acres makeup the wetlands. The wetlands could perhaps grow to 7,000 acres if other landowners sell their property. Plans are to construct a trail on the right side of the bridge to St. Mary of the Woods College. When all proposed trails within the wetlands are completed, they will span 12 miles. The State of Indiana is considering building an office on the east side of West Terre Haute. If DNR manages the wetlands, it must be open for hunting. It would also be an asset to have campsites along the river. Pfizer has 800 acres north of Dallas Road, which they 78

may give to the county for free. This would link the proposed Vigo County trails systems to the Industrial Park.

Kara Kish, Assistant Superintendent Explained facilities and amenities of the county parks. All parks have fishing, boating, shelter rentals, and camping open from May 1st to October 15th. A big attraction at Fowler Park is the Pioneer Village. Prairie Creek Park features maple syrup production. Asked focus group participants how their organization is associated with the county parks, how their organization uses the parks, and how they could use them more in their current capacity.

Larry Owen, a resource person; present for forestry opportunities • • •

Publish attendance rates Seek funds, Resource Management Plan Educate: Branch Learning Tree, Project Wild

Dr. Steve Smidley, ISU Dr. Nathan Schaumleffel, ISU • • • • • • • •

Political advocacy Promote economic value Philanthropy “Friends of Wabash Valley Parks” membership money & land American Camping Association Community engagement & service learning - get students into organizations Field Campus implementation to county parks system Join with department for Master Plan Summer Staff

Veronica Daugherty, Junior Achievement • • • •

Junior Leaders main focus is technology & science, mainly fundraisers Events - corporate retreats - approximately 300-500: large group areas/conferences “Turkey Run Inn” relaxation settings away from technology Amenities Meetings out to parks

Eddie Bird, Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department • • • • •

Hopes he can help with Master Plan Master Planning Trails connectivity Info sharing between departments, equipment, knowledge Website resources, focus on user

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Nancy Dowell, Vigo County Public Library • • • • •

Currently works with TH Parks Department/summer camps - promotes Indiana history Wants to have connection with county parks.

Pioneer Village - Preservation Interpretation, Re-enactors Classes/Readings

Lynn Hughes, Terre Haute Children’s Museum • • •

No previous activity, but wants to have connection with parks Museum - Natural Resources & Ag exhibit Group meetings/programming efforts

Wish List (Compiled from all in attendance) • • • •

Large meeting facility - Junior Achievement Field campus as a part of parks system Public marketing campaign Partner with Vigo County Parks Department & DNR to have space/provide literature in the Welcome Center at Wabashiki State Fish & Wildlife Area

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Public Participation #3 Public Forum Public forum date Wednesday, March 24, 2010 7:00 p.m.

Public forum facilitators Keith Ruble Superintendent, Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Kara Kish Assistant Superintendent, Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department In attendance Six (6) Vigo County residents Agenda • • • • •

History of Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Current parks and amenities of the parks system Concerns Question and Answer period Survey (priority items)

Survey questions Please circle the answer that best expresses your opinion for each potential action item.

New Facilities 1. Build an informational center at Dewey Point for the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area.

The center would house the DNR offices, and serve as a visitor’s center.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important 2. Build an educational center in Elliot Woods at Prairie Creek Park. Educational center would serve as a learning/team-building facility with accommodations to support overnight sessions.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important

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3. Create overnight sights along the Wabash River.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important New Parkland 1. Purchase and develop parkland in northwestern Vigo County.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important 2. Purchase and develop parkland along the Wabash River.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important Trails 1. Develop trail system from St. Mary of the Woods to Terre Haute (US 40 bridge).

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important 2. Develop a loop-trail system south of US 40 (beginning at the US 40 bridge) to connect West and Terre Haute. Portions of the trail to lie within part of the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important 3. Update non-compliant facilities and amenities to be handicap accessible.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important Amenities 1. Update/Replace outdated and under standard playground equipment at all parks.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important Cooperation/Joined Resources 1. Complete future Master Plans in conjunction with Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important 2. Merge Vigo County Parks and Recreation Foundation with Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Foundation to create a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Friends of the Wabash Valley Parksâ&#x20AC;? foundation benefitting both city and county parks.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important

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3. Create new city-county cooperative park system (Terre Haute-Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department).

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important 4. Utilize prison workforce to complete service projects.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important Programming 1. Implement programming along the Wabash River.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important 2. Create and implement an interpretation program within Pioneer Village at Fowler Park.

(Signs/Handouts detailing history) Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important Community Awareness 1. Distinguish the difference between Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department parkland and Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department parkland.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important 2. Increase advertisement/visibility of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important Professional Development 1. Continue to educate/invest in the full-time staff for improved efficiency, productivity, and new ideas.

Extremely Important / Important / No Opinion / Not-Important / Extremely Non-Important

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Public Participation #3 Public Forum - Data Summary Build an informational center at Dewey Point for the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area. The center would house the DNR offices, and serve as a visitor's center.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

Build an educational center in Elliott Woods at Prairie Creek Park.

Education center would serve as a learning/team-building facility with accommodations to support overnight sessions

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

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Create overnight sights along the Wabash River

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

Purchase and develop parkland in northwestern Vigo County

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

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Purchase and develop parkland along the Wabash River

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

Develop trail system from St. Mary of the Woods to Terre Haute (US 40 bridge)

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

86

Develop a loop-trail system south of US 40 (beginning at the US 40 bridge) to connect West Terre Haute and Terre Haute. Portions of the trail to lie within part of the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

Update non-compliant facilities and amenities to he handicap accessible.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

87

Update/replace outdated and under standart playground equipment at all parks.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

Complete future Master Plans in conjunction with Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

88

Merge Vigo County Parks and Recreation Foundation with Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Foundation to create a "Friends of the Wabash Vallley Parks" foundation benefitting both city and county parks.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

Create new city-county cooperative park system (Terre Haute-Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department).

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

89

Utilize prison workforce to complete service projects.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

Implement programming along the Wabash River.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

90

Create and implement an interpretation program within Pioneer Village at Fowler Park. (Signs/Handouts detailing history).

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

Distinguish the defference between Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department parkland and Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department parkland.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

91

Increase advertisement/visibility of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.

Extremely Important Important No Opinion Not Important Extremely Not Important

92

Issue Analysis Due to the constraints of completing the 2010-2014 Master Plan in house, an in-depth look at the results of the public input methods will be used; this is called an issue analysis. Each issue, a concern or need, will be analyzed and options will be presented to remedy the issues.

Issues from Community Survey •

Create more opportunities to draw individuals and families into the parks system The community survey showed that 40% of individuals and families that live in Vigo County only visit Vigo County parks several times a year. Possible options to increase park attendance could be better marketing and/or increase the number of unique special events.

•

Create more walking, hiking, and biking trails Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could develop planned trails systems. Develop trail system from St. Mary of the Woods to Terre Haute (US 40 Bridge). Also, develop a loop-trail system south of US 40 (beginning at the US 40 bridge) to connect West Terre Haute and Terre Haute. (Portions of the trail to lie within part of the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area.) Involvement with the Terre Haute Trails and Greenways System development team could continue.

•

Create an outdoor education center at Prairie Creek Park in Elliott Woods An outdoor education center could be constructed at Prairie Creek Park. This facility could include locations for overnight group camping, educational meeting rooms, and a team low-ropes course. The outdoor educational center would serve school groups, scout groups, church groups, and other private rentals.

Issues from Community Organization Focus Groups •

Include community organizations through service projects Most community organizations participate in service projects to give back to the community. Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could target certain maintenance functions, such as trail maintenance and trash pickup, for this demand.

•

Develop current relationship with the US Penitentiary, create more opportunities The US Penitentiary offers a unique opportunity for the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department to utilize a work force through their Camp. Currently, the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department call on the services of 3-4 93

Camp workers to join us for the summer; however, this could extend into service projects and any additional needs of the Department.

•

Develop relationships with Vigo County business leaders Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce could reach out to local business leaders. This outreach would serve to increase support for the parks system. Opportunities for outreach could include park tours, lead by the Superintendent.

•

Partner with Vigo County School Corporation for grants Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could partner with Vigo County School Corporation for grants that would provide funding to transport students to different parks.

•

Continue to serve as a resource for graduate and doctoral research Vigo County parks system offers a vast array of natural areas, perfect for research.

•

Create and implement river, nature, and historical programming Unique landscapes within the Vigo County parks system provide an excellent opportunity for specialized programming.

•

Create and implement a special event along the Wabash River, possibly for fundraising The knowledge of the staff at Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could provide for a one-of-a-kind special event along the Wabash River. Funds received from the special event could go towards construction of amenities along the Wabash River and in the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area.

•

Partner with Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department to share resources Together, the Superintendent of Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department and the director of the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department, could collaborate to determine resources each Department has available for the other to use. Resources could include equipment, knowledge, etc.

•

Merge Vigo County Parks and Recreation Foundation with Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Foundation A merged Foundation would decrease the costs associated with Foundation management and publicity. A collaboration could exist that would highlight the benefit of contributing to parks and recreation in general, as well as each parks system individually.

94

Issues from Public Forum •

If a beach is not guarded and designated as “swim at your own risk”, leave the beachfront open until the weather worsens Constraints, such as the availability of lifeguards, are lifted when a beach is “swim at your own risk”. For this reason, it is reasonable that a beachfront could remain open past Labor Day, and close once the weather reaches an inclement state for swimming. Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could implement this policy.

•

Build an informational center at Dewey Point for the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area.

The area that sits on the southern side of US 40 in West Terre Haute, just prior to the US 40 bridge, is an optimal location for an informational center and hub for the Wabashiki State Fish and Wildlife Area. Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could assume the lead on this project.

•

Purchase and develop parkland along the Wabash River Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could purchase and develop parkland along the Wabash River. This land would be a prime place to recreate among the beauty of the river. The parkland could also serve as the site of river programming classes and events.

•

Update all outdated or substandard playground equipment Vigo County Parks and Recreation could update all outdatde and substandard playground by making modifications to current equipment or to replace equipment with new equipment at all locations.

Issues from Administration •

Complete Management Plan for Fowler Park, Hawthorn Park, and Prairie Creek Park Due to the upcoming retirement of key personnel, a Management Plan for each major park within the Vigo County parks system could be completed. This document could detail all aspects required to manage the parkland appropriately with thoughts and plans for the future.

•

Develop and promote Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Foundation Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could promote the existence and possibilities of a Foundation to Vigo County citizens, to encourage giving.

95

•

Update all facilities and amenities to be fully accessible, when possible All facilities and amenities could be updated (modified or replaced) to ensure compliance with ADA regulation and offer a more complete service to the public.

•

Create and implement an interpretation program and signage for Pioneer Village Pioneer Village could be fitted with interpretive/educational signage and literature to promote historical value and preserve the spirit of Pioneer Village.

•

Continue brand management through logo implementation The new Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department logo could be placed on every publication, advertisement, website page, etc.

•

Increase attendance at Special Events Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could increase attendance at Special Events through the creation of a public relations and marketing plan.

•

Create and implement a comprehensive public relations and marketing plan A comprehensive public relations and marketing plan could include, but not be limited to, press releases, frequent communication with media contacts, cover stories, etc. Determining and promoting the economic value of parks and recreation to community leadership. Promoting recreational opportunities to current and potential employees, they could serve as a source of new attendance to the Vigo County parks system. Increasing the frequency of publications and updating the website to include current information.

•

Create and publish an Annual Report Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could publish an Annual Report to inform Board members, elected officials, and the public on the status of the Department.

•

Continue to educate/invest in the full-time staff Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could choose to educate/invest in the full-time staff to ensure efficiency, safety, and the proper management of the Department.

•

Seek grant funding where needed Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department could seek out and apply for various grants to assist with the completion of projects.

96

Park Specific Needs Fowler Park & Fowler Park Wilderness Area • Ongoing maintenance • Update playground equipment • Update all facilities and amenities to be fully-accessible, if possible • Patch, chip, and seal roads • Paint covered bridge • Complete Foltz Cabin in Pioneer Village • Complete Schoolhouse in Pioneer Village • Create a Wilderness Area parking lot Hawthorn Park & J.I. Case Wetland Wildlife Refuge • Ongoing maintenance • Update playground equipment • Update all facilities and amenities to be fully-accessible, if possible • Patch, chip, and seal roads Prairie Creek Park • Ongoing maintenance • Update playground equipment • Install new playground in camping area • Update all facilities and amenities to be fully-accessible, if possible • Resurface tennis courts and basketball courts • Patch, chip, and seal roads • Construct outdoor education center in Elliot Woods Markle Mill Park • Ongoing maintenance • Install playground equipment • Update all facilities and amenities to be fully-accessible, if possible • Replace dam George & Ida Smith Park • Ongoing maintenance • Update playground equipment • Update all facilities and amenities to be fully-accessible, if possible Lee Fields Park • Ongoing maintenance • Update playground equipment • Update all facilities and amenities to be fully-accessible, if possible South 7th Street Park • Ongoing maintenance 97

â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

Update playground equipment Update all facilities and amenities to be fully-accessible, if possible

R. Kermit Flesher Memorial State Nature Preserve Erie Canal Locks Site

98

ACTION SCHEDULE Action Schedule

ACTION SCH E D U LE Estimated Cost

Funding Source

$0.00

N/A

$4,000.00 $5,000.00

Private Donations Priviate Donations

Com plete loop-tra il system to connect West Terre Ha ute with Terre Ha ute (portions to lie within Wa bashiki State Fish a nd Wildlife Ares)

$137,000.00

G ra nts, Loca l Match

Com plete a Management Plan for Fowler Pa rk, Hawthorn Park, and Prairie Creek Park

$0.00

N/A

$5,000.00

$800,000.00 $ 1,000,000.00

Non-Reverting Operating N on-Reverting Ca pital, Grants Non-Reverting Ca pital, Gra nts, Bonds

$300,000.00

Private Donations

$ 20,000.00/each

Non-Reverting Ca pita l

$25,000.00

N on-Reverting Ca pita l

Action

Desired Year of Completion

Location

2010

Adm i nistrative Office

2010 2010

Fowler Park Fowler Pa rk

Create a comprehensive Public Relations a nd Ma rketi ng Plan Complete Foltz Ca bin Com plete Schoolhouse

2012

West Terre Haute, Wabash i ki State Fish a nd Wildlife Area

2012

Adm i nistrative Office

2012

Pra irie Creek Park

2014

West Terre Haute

2014

Prai rie Creek Park

2014

Wabash i ki State Fish and WHdlife Area

2014

Al l county parkland

2014

Al l county pa rkland

2014

Fowler Park

2014

Fowler Park

U pdate all facilities and amenities to be ADA com pliant (if possi ble) Upgrade Fowler Park ca mpground electrica l system Roads-Patch, chi p, and Sea l

201 1-Ann ua l

Ad m i nistrative Office

201 1-0ngoing

Administrative Office

Resu rface Ten nis Cou rt/Basketball Court Com plete trail system from St. Mary of the Woods to Terre Ha ute ( US 40 Bridge) Construct an outdoor education facil ity in Elliott Woods at Prairie Creek Park Construct an informational/visitor's center at Dewey Point U pdate a l l o utdated or substa ndard p layground eq uipment in the parks system

$350,000.00

$40,000.00

Non-Reverting Capita l, G rants Non-Reverting Operati ng

Create an Annual Report

$0.00

N/A

I mplement river, nature, a n d historica l program ming

va rious

Non-Reverti ng Operating

$120,000.00

ACTION SCH E D U LE 201 1-0ngoing

Administrative Office

2012-Annual

Administrative Office

Ongoing

Vigo County

Ongoing

Ad ministrative Office

Ongoing

Fowler Pa rk, Hawthorn Park

Ongoing

Administrative Office

I mplement the Public Relations and Marking Plan I mplement a special event along the Wa bash River Conti nue i nvolvement with the Terre Haute Tra ils a nd G reenways Systems development tea m I nvolve community orga nizatio ns in service projects I nvolve US Penitentiary Cam p workers in service projects Provide county park tours to local business leaders, e lected officia ls, a nd orga nizational leaders

$0.00

N/A

$5,000.00

Non-Reverting Operating, Sponsorship

$0.00

N/A

$0.00

N/A

$0.00

N/A

$0.00

N/A

$0.00

N/A

Ongoing

Administrative Office

Partner with the Vigo County School Corporation to seek grants to provide funding opportunities to bring students to the parks

Ongoing

All cou nty parkland

Provide locations for students/professionals to complete resea rch studies

$0.00

N/A

Ongoing

All county pa rkland

Pa rtner with the Terre Haute Parks a nd Recreation Department to share resources

$0.00

N/A

Ongoing

Va rious Locations

Educate ful l-time staff

$5,000.00

Non-Reverting Ope rati ng

MAPS Vigo County Park System Proposed County Trails Prairie Creek Park & Elliott Woods Trail (includes proposed site for

Outdoor Education Center)

Vi g o Co u nty P a rk Syste m

WABAS I KI STATE F I S H AND WI L D L I F E AREA

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APPENDIX Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department Organizational Chart Vigo County Parks Board Organizational Chart Fowler Park Map Fowler Park Wilderness Area Map Hawthorn Park Map Prairie Creek Park Map Prairie Creek Park Map Featuring Elliott Woods American Community Survey

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Selected Social Characteristics i n t h e U nited States: 2006-2008 0 Data Set: 2006-2008 American Com m u n ity Survey 3-Year Estimates urvey: American Com m u n ity Survey ial - Education, Marital Status, Relationships, Fertility, Grandparents ..

- Income, Employment, Occupation, Commuting to Work...

Occupancy and Structure, Housing Value and Costs, Utilities ...

Demographic - Sex and Age, Race, Hispanic Origin, Housing Units ...

Narrative - Text profile with graphs for easy analysis ...

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NOTE. Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties.

For more information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see Survev Methodoloav Margin of Error Percent

Margin of Error

Selected Social Characteristics i n the U nited States HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE Total households

Estimate

25,746 1 1 ,725 1 8,957 7,725 1 ,585 949 5,204 3,051 1 5,71 9 1 2,476 4,985

+/-907

+/-830 +/-767 +/-9 1 5 +/-667 +/-303 +/-279 +/-540 +/-458 +/-785 +/-834 +/-493

41 ,465

62. 1 % 28.3% 45.7% 1 8.6% 3.8% 2.3% 1 2.6% 7.4% 37.9% 30. 1 % 1 2.0%

+/-1 .6 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .9 +/-1 .5 +/-0.7 +/-0.7 +/-1 .3 +/-1 .1 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .9 +/-1 .2

Households with one or more people under 1 8 years Households with one o r more people 65 years and over

1 3,307 1 0,258

+/-786 +/-548

32. 1 % 24.7%

+/-1 .7 +/-1 .3

2.32 2.89

+/-0.04 +/-0.07

(X) (X)

(X) (X)

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+/-1 ,521

96,299

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42,930

+/-174

43,583

Family households (families) With own children under 1 8 years Married-couple family With own children under 1 8 years Male householder, no wife present, family With own children under 1 8 years Female householder, no husband present, family With own children under 18 years Nonfamily households Householder living alone 65 years and over

Average household size Average family size RELATIONSHIP Population in households

41 ,465

Householder Spouse Child Other relatives Nonrelatives Unmarried partner

41 ,465 1 8,81 1 25,790 4,094 6, 1 39 3,099

MARITAL STATUS Males 15 years and over

42,930

Never married Now married, except separated Separated Widowed Divorced Females 15 years and over

Never married Now married, except separated Separated

1 4, 1 76 20,574 579 1 ,288 6,313

43,583

1 1 ,990 1 9,676 61 6

+/-907 +/-91 1 +/-1 , 1 09 +/-800 +/-738 +/-522

+/-647 +/-899 +/-1 94 +/-309 +/-660 +/-730 +/-940 +/-1 97

43. 1 % 1 9.5% 26.8% 4.3% 6.4% 3.2%

33.0% 47.9% 1 .3% 3.0% 1 4.7% 27.5% 45.1 % 1 .4%

(X)

(X)

+/-0.7 +/-0.9 +/-1 .0 +/-0.8 +/-0.8 +/-0.5 (X)

+/-1 .5 +/-2. 1 +/-0.5 +/-0.7 +/-1 .5 (X)

+/-1 .6 +/-2.2 +/-0. 5

Selected Social Characteristics in the U nited States

Widowed Divorced

FERTILITY Number of women 1 5 to 50 years old who had a birth in the past 1 2 months

Unmarried women (widowed, divorced, and never married) Per 1 ,000 unmarried women Per 1 ,000 women 1 5 to 50 years old Per 1 ,000 women 1 5 to 1 9 years old Per 1 ,000 women 20 to 34 years old Per 1 ,000 women 35 to 50 years old

GRANDPARENTS Number of grandparents living with own grandchildren under 1 8 years

+/-475 +/-574

1 1 .8% 1 4. 1 %

Margin of Error

1 ,809

+/-336

1 ,809

(X)

687 47 69 20 1 33 21

+/-258 +/-1 7 +/-1 3 +/-17 +/-25 +/-14

38.0%

+/-1 1 .5

5,1 50 6,1 51

2,022

2,022

(X) (X) (X) (X) (X)

(X)

+/-418

63.2%

+/-1 0.8

497 272 121 387

+/-31 5 +/-1 82 +/-1 1 4 +/-1 63

24.6% 1 3.5% 6.0% 19.1%

+/-1 2.5 +/-8.6 +/-5.3 +/-7.9

1 ,277

+/-41 8

1 ,277

(X)

758 1 ,014

+/-221 +/-395

59.4% 79.4%

+/-6.8 +/-9.3

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT Population 3 years and over enrolled in school

30,283

+/-1 ,001

30,283

EDUCATIONAL AITAINMENT Population 25 years and over

67,586

Number of grandparents responsible for own grandchildren u nder 1 8 years

Who are female Who are married

Nursery school, preschool Kindergarten Elementary school (grades 1 -8) High school (grades 9-1 2) College or graduate school

1 ,338 1 ,236 1 0,050 5,284 1 2,375

+/-247 +/-302 +/-453 +/-401 +/-990

4.4% 4. 1 % 33.2% 1 7.4% 40.9%

(X)

+/-0.8 +/-1 .0 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .4 +/-2.2

Less than 9th grade 9th to 1 2th grade, no diploma High school graduate (includes equivalency) Some college, no degree Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Graduate or professional degree

2,631 8,068 22,672 1 4,01 3 5,457 8, 1 38 6,607

+/-358

+/-570 +/-772 +/-1 , 1 63 +/-798 +/-606 +/-689 +/-647

67,586

3.9% 1 1 .9% 33.5% 20.7% 8. 1 % 1 2.0% 9.8%

+/-0.8 +/-1 . 1 +/-1 .7 +/-1 .2 +/-0.9 +/-1 .0 +/-1 .0

Percent high school graduate or higher Percent bachelor's degree or higher

84.2% 21 .8%

+/-1 .3 +/-1 .3

(X) (X)

(X) (X)

VETERAN STATUS Civilian population 1 8 years and over

82,281

+/-1 54

82,281

Civilian veterans

9,387

DISABILITY STATUS OF THE CIVILIAN NONINSTITUTIONALIZED POPULATION Total Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population (X)

With a disability

)

+/-473

(X) (X) (X) (X) (X)

+/-1 .1 +/-1 .3

1 ,277

Responsible for grandchildren Years responsible for grandchildren Less than 1 year 1 or 2 years 3 or 4 years 5 or more years

)

Margin of Error Percent

Estimate

U nder 1 8 years

With a disability

+/-71 0 (X)

1 1 .4% (X)

(X)

(X)

+/-0.9 (X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

Selected Social Characteristics in the U nited States 1 8 to 64 years

With a disability

65 years and over

With a disability

(X)

(X)

(X)

1 04,1 87

PLACE OF BIRTH Total population

1 05,706

Native Born in United States State of residence Different state Born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Island areas, or born abroad to American parent(s) Foreign born

84,029 1 9,893 1 2,466 7,427 4,1 01 3,326 265

1 03, 1 06 1 02,554 78,81 5 23,739 552 2,600

Margin of Error Percent

Margin of Error

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

+/-280 1 04,1 87

+/-1 ,780 +/-1 ,674 +/-1 ,482 +/-904 +/-7 1 9 +/-544 +/-1 59

80.7% 1 9. 1 % 1 2.0% 7. 1 % 3.9% 3.2% 0.3%

*****

1 05,706

+/-400 +/-436 +/-1 ,554 +/-1 ,507 +/-1 82 +/-400

97.5% 97.0% 74.6% 22.5% 0.5% 2.5%

(X) (X)

(X)

+/-1 .6 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .4 +/-0.9 +/-0.7 +/-0.5 +/-0.2 (X)

+/-0.4 +/-0.4 +/-1 .5 +/-1 .4 +/-0.2 +/-0.4

U .S. CITIZENSHIP STATUS Foreign-born population

2,600

1 ,005 1 ,595

+/-237 +/-385

38.7% 61 .3%

+/-9.0 +/-9.0

YEAR OF ENTRY Population born outside the United States

3,1 52

+/-436

3,1 52

(X)

552

+/-1 82

2,600

+/-400

Naturalized U.S. citizen Not a U.S. citizen

Native

Entered 2000 or later Entered before 2000 Foreign born

Entered 2000 or later Entered before 2000 WORLD REGION OF BIRTH OF FOREIGN BORN Foreign-born population, excluding population born at sea

Europe Asia Africa Oceania Latin America Northern America

LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME Population 5 years and over

)

(X)

RESIDENCE 1 YEAR AGO Population 1 year and over

Same house Different house in the U.S. Same county Different county Same state Different state Abroad

)

Estimate

English only Language other than English Speak English less than "very well"

38 514

1 ,358 1 ,242

+/-400

+/-49 +/-1 75

2,600

552

6.9% 93. 1 % 2,600

(X)

52.2% 47.8%

+/-9. 2 +/-9.2 (X)

N N N N N N

N

N

99,045

+/-1 82

99,045

95,21 5 3,830 1 , 1 28

(X)

+/-8.6 +/-8.6

+/-343 +/-274

N N N N N N

N

(X)

+/-461 +/-459 +/-331

N N N N N N

96.1 % 3.9% 1 .1 %

N N N N N N

(X)

+/-0. 5 +/-0 .5 +/-0 .3

Selected Social Characteristics in the United States

Spanish Speak English less than "very well" Other Indo-European languages Speak English less than "very well" Asian and Pacific Islander languages Speak English less than "very well" Other languages Speak English less than "very well"

ANCESTRY Total population

)

American Arab Czech Danish Dutch English French (except Basque) French Canadian German Greek Hungarian Irish Italian Lithuanian Norwegian Polish Portuguese Russian Scotch-Irish Scottish Slovak Subsaharan African Swedish Swiss Ukrainian Welsh West Indian (excluding Hispanic origin groups) Selected Social Characteristics in the U nited States

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey

Estimate

1 ,466 573 991 76 1 ,035 414 338 65

1 05,706

21 ,908 331 367 1 39 2,395 1 2,089 3,262 1 71 23,785 71 788 1 3, 1 45 3, 1 00 202 667 1 ,698 10 1 37 1 ,662 2,339 1 28 901 679 241 21 9 1 ,307 11

Estimate

Margin of Error Percent

+/-284 +/-234 +/-337 +/-72 +/-269 +/-207 +/-204 +/-45

1 .5% 0.6% 1 .0% 0.1 % 1 .0% 0.4% 0.3% 0. 1 %

"'****

1 05,706

+/-1 ,951 +/-1 76 +/-1 73 +/-1 1 2 +/-463 +/-1 ,076 +/-600 +/-103 +/-1 ,435 +/-69 +/-287 +/-1 ,231 +/-658 +/-121 +/-205 +/-453 +/.17 +/-93 +/-391 +/-502 +/-85 +/-357 +/-250 +/-160 +/-266 +/-330 +/-19

20.7% 0.3% 0.3% 0.1 % 2.3% 1 1 .4% 3. 1 % 0.2% 22.5% 0. 1 % 0.7% 1 2.4% 2.9% 0.2% 0.6% 1 .6% 0.0% 0. 1 % 1 .6% 2.2% 0. 1 % 0.9% 0.6% 0.2% 0.2% 1 .2% 0.0%

Margin of Error Percent

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Margin of Error

+/-0.3 +/-0.2 +/-0.3 +/-0. 1 +/-0.3 +/-0.2 +/-0.2 +/-0. 1 (X)

+/-1 .8 +/-0.2 +/-0.2 +/-0. 1 +/-0.4 +/-1 .0 +/-0.6 +/-0. 1 +/-1 .4 +/-0. 1 +/-0.3 +/-1 .2 +/-0.6 +/-0. 1 +/-0.2 +/-0.4 +/-0. 1 +/-0. 1 +/-0.4 +/-0.5 +/-0. 1 +/-0.3 +/-0.2 +/-0.2 +/-0.3 +/-0.3 +/-0.1 Margin of Erro

.

.

./

. " /."

.' . /

Vigo County, Indiana

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.Selected Economic Characteristics: 2006-2008

. .. '

.UII.J ClI.Cl

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0

Set: 2006-2008 American Com m u n ity Survey 3-Year Estimates

rvey: American Com m u n ity Survey

Education, Marital Status, Relationships, Fertility, Grandparents ...

Income, Employment, Occupation, Commuting to Work...

Housing - Occupancy and Structure, Housing Value and Costs, Utilities ...

Demographic - Sex and Age, Race, Hispanic Origin, Housing Units ...

Narrative - Text profile with graphs for easy analysis ...

'=="'-_

Economic -

NOTE. Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation. states. counties. cities and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties.

For more information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see Survev Methodoloav

)

Margin of Error

Estimate

25,746 1 1 ,725 1 8,957 7,725 1 ,585 949 5,204 3,051 1 5,719 1 2,476 4,985

+/-907

+/-830 +/-767 +/-9 1 5 +/-667 +/-303 +/-279 +/-540 +/-458 +/-785 +/-834 +/-493

41 ,465

62.1 % 28.3% 45.7% 1 8.6% 3.8% 2.3% 1 2.6% 7.4% 37.9% 30.1 % 12.0%

+/-1 .6 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .9 +/-1 .5 +/-0.7 +/-0.7 +/-1 .3 +/-1 . 1 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .9 +/-1 .2

Households with one or more people under 1 8 years Households with one or more people 6 5 years and over

1 3,307 1 0,258

+/-786 +/-548

32. 1 % 24.7%

+/-1 .7 +/-1 .3

2.32 2.89

+/-0.04 +/-0.07

(X) (X)

(X) (X)

96,299

+/-1 ,521

96,299

+/-220

42,930

Family households (families) With own children under 1 8 years Married-couple family With own children under 18 years Male householder, no wife present, family With own children under 1 8 years Female householder, no husband present, family With own children under 1 8 years Nonfamily households Householder living alone 65 years and over

Average household size Average family size RELATIONSHIP Population in households

)

Margin of Error Percent

Selected Social Characteristics in the U nited States HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE Total households

41 ,465

Householder Spouse Child Other relatives Nonrelatives Unmarried partner

41 ,465 1 8,81 1 25,790 4,094 6, 1 39 3,099

MARITAL STATUS Males 1 5 years and over

42,930

Never married Now married, except separated Separated Widowed Divorced

1 4, 1 76 20,574 579 1 ,288 6,313

+/-907 +/-91 1 +/-1 , 1 09 +/-800 +/-738 +/-522

+/-647 +/-899 +/-1 94 +/-309 +/-660

43.1 % 1 9.5% 26.8% 4.3% 6.4% 3.2%

33.0% 47.9% 1 .3% 3.0% 1 4.7%

(X)

(X)

+/-0.7 +/-0.9 +/-1 .0 +/-0.8 +/-0.8 +/-0. 5 (X)

+/-1 .5 +/-2. 1 +/-0.5 +/-0.7 +/-1 .5

Selected Social Characteristics i n the U nited States Females 15 years and over

Never married Now married, except separated Separated Widowed Divorced

FERTILITY Number of women 1 5 to 50 years old who had a birth in the past 1 2 months

Unmarried women (widowed, divorced, and never married) Per 1 ,000 unmarried women Per 1 ,000 women 1 5 to 50 years old Per 1 ,000 women 1 5 to 1 9 years old Per 1 ,000 women 20 to 34 years old Per 1 ,000 women 35 to 50 years old

GRANDPARENTS Number of grandparents living with own grandchildren under 18 years

Responsible for grandchildren Years responsible for grandchildren Less than 1 year 1 or 2 years 3 or 4 years 5 or more years

)

Number of grandparents responsible for own grandchildren under 1 8 years

Margin of Error Percent +/-1 74 43,583

Margin of Error (X)

+/-730 +/-940 +/-197 +/-475 +/-574

27.5% 45. 1 % 1 .4% 1 1 .8% 1 4. 1 %

+/-1 .6 +/-2.2 +/-0.5 +/-1 .1 +/-1 .3

1 ,809

+/-336

1 ,809

(X)

687 47 69 20 1 33 21

+/-258 +/-1 7 +/-1 3 +/-1 7 +/-25 +/-1 4

38.0%

+/-1 1 .5

2,022

+/-473

+/-41 8

63.2%

+/-1 0.8

497 272 1 21 387

+/-31 5 +/-1 82 +/-1 1 4 +/-1 63

24.6% 1 3.5% 6.0% 1 9. 1 %

+/-1 2.5 +/-8.6 +/-5.3 +/-7.9

1 ,277

+/-41 8

1 ,277

(X)

+/-6.8 +/-9.3

1 1 ,990 1 9,676 616 5, 1 50 6, 1 51

1 ,277

(X) (X) (X) (X) (X)

2,022

(X) (X) (X) (X) (X)

(X)

758 1 ,014

+/-221 +/-395

59.4% 79.4%

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT Population 3 years and over enrolled in school

30,283

+/-1 ,001

30,283

EDUCATIONAL ATTAIN MENT Population 25 years and over

67,586

2,631 8,068 22,672 1 4,013 5,457 8, 1 38 6,607

+/-358

+/-570 +/-772 +/-1 , 1 63 +/-798 +/-606 +/-689 +/-647

67,586

3.9% 1 1 .9% 33.5% 20.7% 8.1 % 1 2.0% 9.8%

+/-0.8 +/-1 . 1 +/-1 .7 +/-1 .2 +/-0.9 +/-1 .0 +/-1 .0

Percent high school graduate or higher Percent bachelor's degree or higher

84.2% 21 .8%

+/-1 .3 +/-1 .3

(X) (X)

(X) (X)

VETERAN STATUS Civilian population 18 years and over

82,281

+/-1 54

82,281

1 1 .4%

+/-0.9

DISABILITY STATUS OF THE CIVILIAN NON INSTITUTIONALIZED POPULATION Total Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population (X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

Who are female Who are married

Nursery school, preschool Kindergarten Elementary school (grades 1 -8) High school (grades 9-1 2) College or graduate school

Less than 9th grade 9th to 1 2th grade, no diploma High school graduate (includes equivalency) Some college, no degree Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Graduate or professional degree

Civilian veterans

)

Estimate 43,583

1 ,338 1 ,236 1 0,050 5,284 1 2,375

9,387

+/-247 +/-302 +/-453 +/-401 +/-990

+/-71 0

4.4% 4.1 % 33.2% 1 7.4% 40.9%

(X)

+/-0.8 +/-1 .0 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .4 +/-2.2 (X)

(X)

Selected Social Characteristics in the United States

With a disability

Margin of Error

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

1 8 to 64 years

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

65 years and over

(X)

(X)

(X)

With a disability

With a disability

(X) (X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

(X)

RESIDENCE 1 YEAR AGO Population 1 year and over

1 04,1 87

84,029 1 9,893 1 2,466 7,427 4, 1 01 3,326 265

+/-1 ,780 +/-1 ,674 +/-1 ,482 +/-904 +/-71 9 +/-544 +/-1 59

80.7% 1 9. 1 % 1 2.0% 7. 1 % 3.9% 3.2% 0.3%

PLACE OF BIRTH Total population

1 05,706

...-

1 05,706

Same house Different house in the U.S. Same county Different county Same state Different state Abroad

Native Born in United States State of residence Different state Born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Island areas, or born abroad to American parent(s) Foreign born

1 03, 1 06 1 02,554 78,81 5 23,739 552 2,600

+/-280 1 04,1 87

+/-400 +/-436 +/-1 ,554 +/-1 ,507 +/-1 82 +/-400

97.5% 97.0% 74.6% 22.5% 0.5% 2.5%

(X)

(X) (X)

(X)

+/-1 .6 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .4 +/-0.9 +/-0.7 +/-0. 5 +/-0.2 (X)

+/-0.4 +/-0.4 +/-1 .5 +/-1 .4 +/-0.2 +/-0.4

U.S. CITIZENSHIP STATUS Foreign-born population

2,600

1 ,005 1 ,595

+/-237 +/-385

38.7% 61 .3%

+/-9.0 +/-9.0

YEAR OF ENTRY Population born outside the United States

3,1 52

+/-436

3,1 52

(X)

552

+/-1 82

Naturalized U.S. citizen Not a U.S. citizen

Native

Entered 2000 or later Entered before 2000 Foreign born

Entered 2000 or later Entered before 2000 WORLD REGION OF BIRTH OF FOREIGN BORN Foreign-born population, excluding population born at sea

Europe Asia Africa Oceania latin America Northern America

)

(X)

Margin of Error Percent

Under 1 8 years

With a disability

)

Estimate

LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME

38 514 2,600

1 ,358 1 ,242 N

N N N N N N

+/-400

+/-49 +/-1 75

+/-400

2,600

552

6.9% 93. 1 % 2,600

(X)

(X)

+/-8.6 +/-8.6 (X)

+/-343 +/-274

52.2% 47.8%

+/-9.2 +/-9.2

N

N

(X)

N N N N N N

N N N N N N

N N N N N N

)

Selected Social Characteristics in the United States Population 5 years and over

English only Language other than English Speak English less than "very well" Spanish Speak English less than "very well" Other Indo-European languages Speak English less than "very well" Asian and Pacific Islander languages Speak English less than "very well" Other languages Speak EnQlish less than "very well"

ANCESTRY Total population

)

American Arab Czech Danish Dutch English French (except Basque) French Canadian German Greek Hungarian Irish Italian Lithuanian Norwegian Polish Portuguese Russian Scotch-Irish Scottish Slovak Subsaharan African Swedish Swiss Ukrainian Welsh West Indian (excluding His�anic origin groups) Selected Social Characteristics in the United States

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey

Estimate 99,045

95,21 5 3,830 1 ,1 28 1 ,466 573 991 76 1 ,035 414 338 65

1 05,706

21 ,908 331 367 1 39 2,395 1 2,089 3,262 1 71 23,785 71 788 1 3, 1 45 3,1 00 202 667 1 ,698 10 1 37 1 ,662 2,339 1 28 901 679 241 21 9 1 ,307 11

Margin of Error Percent +/-1 82 99,045

+/-461 +/-459 +/-331 +/-284 +/-234 +/-337 +/-72 +/-269 +/-207 +/-204 +/-45

-*

+/-1 ,951 +/-1 76 +/-1 73 +/-1 1 2 +/-463 +/-1 ,076 +/-600 +/-1 03 +/-1 ,435 +/-69 +/-287 +/-1 ,231 +/-658 +/-1 21 +/-205 +/-453 +/-1 7 +/-93 +/-391 +/-502 +/-85 +/-357 +/-250 +/-1 60 +/-266 +/-330 +/-1 9 Estimate

96. 1 % 3.9% 1.1% 1 .5% 0.6% 1 .0% 0. 1 % 1 .0% 0.4% 0.3% 0.1 %

1 05,706

20.7% 0.3% 0.3% 0. 1 % 2.3% 1 1 .4% 3. 1 % 0.2% 22.5% 0. 1 % 0.7% 1 2.4% 2.9% 0.2% 0.6% 1 .6% 0.0% 0. 1 % 1 .6% 2.2% 0. 1 % 0.9% 0.6% 0.2% 0.2% 1 .2% 0.0%

(X)

+/-0.5 +/-0.5 +/-0.3 +/-0.3 +/-0.2 +/-0.3 +/-0. 1 +/-0.3 +/-0.2 +/-0.2 +/-0. 1 (X)

+/-1 .8 +/-0.2 +/-0.2 +/-0. 1 +/-0.4 +/-1 .0 +/-0.6 +/-0. 1 +/-1 .4 +/-0. 1 +/-0.3 +/-1 .2 +/-0.6 +/-0. 1 +/-0.2 +/-0.4 +/-0.1 +/-0. 1 +/-0.4 +/-0.5 +/-0. 1 +/-0 .3 +/-0.2 +/-0.2 +/-0.3 +/-0.3 +/-0. 1

Margin of Error Percent

The letters PDF or symbol �indicate a document is in the Portable Document Format (PDF). To view the file you will need the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader, which is available for free from the Adobe web site.

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Margin of Error

Margin of Erro

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Vigo County, Indiana

Selected Housing Characteristics: 2006-2008 • Data Set: 2006-2008 American Com m u n ity Su rvey 3-Year Estimates u rvey: American Commu n ity Survey

�!��-�Education, Marital Status, Relationships, Fertility, Grandparents...

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Occupancy and Structure, Housing Value and Costs, Utilities ...

• Q�lQ9..!�t!.i£. Sex and Age, Race, Hispanic Origin, Housing Units ...

Narrative - Text profile with graphs for easy analysis ...

NOTE. Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties.

For more information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see Survev Methodoloav Selected Housing Characteristics HOUSING OCCUPANCY Total housing units

Margin of Error

+/-907 +/-698

+/-656

47,288

87.7% 1 2.3%

+/-1 .5 +/-1 .5

2.1 9.7

+/-0.9 +/-2,6

(X) (X)

(X) (X)

UNITS IN STRUCTURE Total housing units

47,288

+/-656

47,288

YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT Total housing units

47,288

+/-656

47,288

ROOMS Total housing units

47,288

+/-656

47,288

Homeowner vacancy rate Rental vacancy rate

1 -unit, detached 1 -unit , attached 2 units 3 or 4 units 5 to 9 units 1 0 to 1 9 units 20 or more units Mobile home Boat, RV, van, etc.

Built 2005 or later Built 2000 to 2004 Built 1 990 to 1 999 Built 1 980 to 1 989 Built 1 970 to 1 979 Built 1 960 to 1 969 Built 1 950 to 1 959 Built 1 940 to 1 949 Built 1 939 or earlier

)

Margin of Error Percent

41 ,465 5,823

Occupied housing units Vacant housing units

)

Estimate

1 room 2 rooms 3 rooms 4 rooms 5 rooms 6 rooms 7 rooms

47,288

34,41 7 592 1 ,574 3,881 2,1 72 743 1 ,858 2,051 0

874 2,999 4,955 3, 1 09 6,393 4,460 5,522 3,448 1 5,528

846 1 ,664 3,540 8,438 1 2,524 8, 1 1 8 5,215

+/-81 1 +/-237 +/-41 9 +/-571 +/-436 +/-241 +/-336 +/-380 +/-1 54

+/-237 +/-525 +/-562 +/-428 +/-628 +/-582 +/-538 +/-473 +/-880

+/-307 +/-448 +/-555 +/-832 +/-892 +/-646 +/-594

72.8% 1 .3% 3.3% 8.2% 4.6% 1 .6% 3.9% 4.3% 0.0%

1 .8% 6.3% 1 0.5% 6,6% 1 3.5% 9.4% 1 1 .7% 7.3% 32.8%

1 .8% 3.5% 7.5% 1 7.8% 26.5% 1 7.2% 1 1 .0%

(X)

(X)

+/-1 ,5 +/-0.5 +/-0.9 +/-1 .2 +/-0.9 +/-0.5 +/-0.7 +/-0.8 +/-0. 1 (X)

+/-0,5 +/-1 . 1 +/-1 .2 +/-0.9 +/-1 .3 +/-1 .2 +/-1 . 1 +/-1 .0 +/-1 .8 (X)

+/-0.7 +/-0.9 +/-1 .2 +/-1 .7 +/-1 .8 +/-1 .3 +/-1 .2

)

Selected Housing Characteristics

8 rooms 9 rooms or more Median rooms

3,620 3,323 5.2

BEDROOMS Total housing units

47,288

HOUSING TENU RE Occupied housing units

41 ,465

No bedroom 1 bedroom 2 bedrooms 3 bedrooms 4 bedrooms 5 or more bedrooms

1 ,086 5,679 1 6,430 1 7,530 5,339 1 ,224

Margin of Error Percent

Margin of Error

(X)

(X)

+/-407 +/-397 +/-0. 1

7.7% 7.0%

+/-656

47,288

+/-343 +/-643 +/-1 ,058 +/-949 +/-474 +/-31 6

2.3% 1 2.0% 34.7% 37. 1 % 1 1 .3% 2.6%

+/-0.9 +/-0.9

(X)

+/-0.7 +/-1 .3 +/-2. 1 +/-2.0 +/-1 .0 +/-0.7

27,202 1 4,263

+/-906 +/-930

+/-907

41 ,465

65.6% 34.4%

+/-2.0 +/-2.0

2.45 2.08

+/-0.06 +/-0. 1 0

(X) (X)

(X) (X)

YEAR HOUSEHOLDER MOVED INTO UNIT Occupied housing units

41 ,465

+/-907

41 ,465

VEHICLES AVAILABLE Occupied housing units

41 ,465

3,222 1 5,222 1 5,479 7,542

+/-907

+/-521 +/-1 ,001 +/-91 3 +/-773

41 ,465

HOUSE HEATING FUEL Occupied housing units

41 ,465

21 ,737 2,017 1 5,761 1 ,088 40 665 0 1 16 41

+/-907

+/-856 +/-261 +/-81 7 +/-252 +/-45 +/-227 +/-1 54 +/-72 +/-43

41 ,465

SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS Occupied housing units

41 ,465

+/-907

41 ,465

0.2% 0.5% 7.0%

+/-0.2 +/-0.3 +/-1 .3

OCCUPANTS PER ROOM Occupied housing units

41 ,465

+/-907

41 ,465

(X)

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Average household size of owner-occupied unit Average household size of renter-occupied unit

)

Estimate

Moved in 2005 or later Moved in 2000 to 2004 Moved in 1 990 to 1 999 Moved in 1 980 to 1 989 Moved in 1 970 to 1 979 Moved in 1 969 or earlier

No vehicles available 1 vehicle available 2 vehicles available 3 or more vehicles available

Utility gas Bottled, tank, or LP gas Electricity Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.

Coal or coke Wood Solar energy Other fuel No fuel used

Lacking complete plumbing facilities Lacking complete kitchen facilities No telephone service available

1 3,865 9,515 8,058 3,974 2,857 3,1 96

82 1 98 2,909

+/-902 +/-689 +/-652 +/-455 +/-446 +/-461

+/-64 +/-1 29 +/-549

33.4% 22.9% 1 9.4% 9.6% 6.9% 7.7%

7.8% 36.7% 37.3% 1 8.2%

52.4% 4.9% 38.0% 2.6% 0.1 % 1 .6% 0.0% 0.3% 0.1 %

(X)

(X)

+/-1 .9 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .6 +/-1 . 1 +/-1 . 1 +/-1 . 1 (X)

+/-1 .2 +/-2.2 +/-2.2 +/-1 .8 (X)

+/-1 .8 +/-0.6 +/-1 .7 +/-0.6 +/-0. 1 +/-0.6 +/-0. 1 +/-0.2 +/-0. 1 (X)

)

Selected Housing Characteristics

1 .00 or less 1 .01 to 1 .50 1 .51 or more

VALUE Owner-occupied units

Less than $50,000 $50,000 to $99,999 $1 00,000 to $149,999 $1 50,000 to $1 99,999 $200,000 to $299,999 $300,000 to $499,999 $500,000 to $999,999 $1 ,000,000 or more Median (dollars)

40,823 509 1 33

27,202

4,813 1 0,873 5,682 3,006 1 ,868 663 1 62 1 35 89,300

Margin of Error Percent

+/-906 +/-1 95 +/-1 1 4

98.5% 1 .2% 0.3%

+/-906

27,202

+/-491 +/-690 +/-527 +/-398 +/-356 +/-1 79 +/-107 +/-1 37 +/-2,777

1 7.7% 40.0% 20.9% 1 1 .1 % 6.9% 2.4% 0.6% 0.5% (X)

MORTGAGE STATUS Owner-occupied units

27,202

1 8,355 8,847

+/-886 +/-670

+/-906

27,202

SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS ( SMOC ) Housing units with a mortgage

1 8,355

+/-886

1 8,355

Housing units with a mortgage Housing units without a mortgage

)

Estimate

Less than $300 $300 to $499 $500 to $699 $700 to $999 $1 ,000 to $1 ,499 $1 ,500 to $1 ,999 $2,000 or more Median (dollars)

Housing units without a mortgage

Less than $100 $100 to $199 $200 to $299 $300 to $399 $400 or more Median (dollars)

28 1 ,006 3,695 5,240 5,460 1 ,672 1 ,254 955

+/-33 +/-256 +/-454 +/-674 +/-545 +/-308 +/-256 +/-32

8,847

+/-670

111 680 2,550 2,520 2,986 340

+/-1 03 +/-1 98 +/-350 +/-385 +/-401 +/-1 3

SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD I NCOME (SMOCAPI ) Housing units with a mortgage (excluding u nits where SMOCAPI cannot 1 8, 1 77 +/-874 be computed)

Less than 20.0 percent 20.0 to 24.9 percent 25.0 to 29.9 percent 30.0 to 34.9 percent 35.0 percent or more Not computed

Housing unit without a mortgage (excluding units where SMOCAPI cannot be computed)

Less than 1 0.0 percent 1 0.0 to 1 4.9 percent 1 5.0 to 1 9.9 percent 20.0 to 24.9 percent 25.0 to 29.9 percent

67.5% 32.5%

0.2% 5.5% 20. 1 % 28.5% 29.7% 9. 1 % 6.8% (X)

8,847

Margin of Error

+/-0.6 +/-0 .5 +/-0 .3 (X)

+/-1 .7 +/-2.0 +/-1 .8 +/-1 .5 +/-1 .3 +/-0.6 +/-0.4 +/-0 .5 (X)

(X)

+/-2 .3 +/-2.3 (X)

+/-0.2 +/-1 .4 +/-2. 1 +/-3. 3 +/-2.8 +/-1 .6 +/-1 .4 (X)

(X)

1 .3% 7.7% 28.8% 28.5% 33.8%

+/-1 .2 +/-2. 1 +/-3 .8 +/-3. 6 +/-3.6

1 8, 1 77

(X)

(X)

(X)

8,767 2,555 2,330 1 ,281 3,244

+/-707 +/-475 +/-432 +/-274 +/-458

48.2% 1 4. 1 % 1 2.8% 7.0% 1 7.8%

+/-3.1 +/-2 .4 +/-2 .3 +/-1 .5 +/-2 .4

1 78

+/-144

(X)

(X)

8,726

+/-665

8,726

(X)

3, 1 75 1 ,91 1 977 617 359

+/-424 +/-31 1 +/-21 5 +/-216 +/-1 50

36.4% 21 .9% 1 1 .2% 7. 1 % 4.1 %

+/-4.0 +/-3. 0 +/-2.4 +/-2 .5 +/-1 .7

)

Selected Housing Characteristics

30.0 to 34.9 percent 35.0 percent or more

Not computed GROSS RENT Occupied units paying rent

Less than $200 $200 to $299 $300 to $499 $500 to $749 $750 to $999 $1 ,000 to $1 ,499 $1 ,500 or more Median (dollars)

Margin of Error Percent

+/-1 56 +/-31 9

4. 1 % 1 5.2%

121

+/-81

(X)

1 3, 1 72

+/-854

1 3,1 72

360 1 ,327

862 675 3,054 5,525 2,281 638 1 37 583

+/-244 +/-21 8 +/-547 +/-685 +/-443 +/-208 +/-1 05 +/-20

+/-1 .8 +/-3.3 (X)

(X)

6.5% 5.1 % 23.2% 41 .9% 1 7.3% 4.8% 1 .0%

+/-1 .9 +/-1 .6 +/-3.9 +/-4. 1 +/-3.2 +/-1 .6 +/-0.8

(X)

(X)

+/-301

(X)

(X)

1 2,846

+/-838

1 2,846

(X)

Less than 1 5.0 percent 1 5.0 to 1 9.9 percent 20.0 to 24.9 percent 25.0 to 29.9 percent 30.0 to 34.9 percent 35.0 percent o r more

1 ,902 1 ,364 1 ,673 1 ,306 1 ,428 5,173

+/-420 +/-360 +/-332 +/-384 +/-41 8 +/-648

1 4.8% 1 0.6% 1 3.0% 1 0.2% 1 1.1% 40.3%

+/-3.2 +/-2.7 +/-2.5 +/-2.8 +/-3. 1 +/-4.5

Not computed

1 ,417

+/-348

(X)

(X)

Selected Housing Characteristics

Estimate

GROSS RENT AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD I NCOME ( GRAPI ) Occupied units paying rent (excluding units where GRAPI cannot be computed)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey

Margin of Error Percent

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)

Margin of Error

1 ,091

No rent paid

)

Estimate

�

)

Vigo County, I ndiana

ACS Demographic a n d Housing Estimates: 2006-2008 fj Data Set: 2006-2008 American Com m u n ity Su rvey 3-Year Estimates u rvey: American Community Su rvey

.

�!�:@!.. - Education, Marital Status, Relationships, Fertility, Grandparents . . tiI �t·nnnrni,. - Income, Employment, Occupation, Commuting to Work... ]!...:.:="-'-"'- Occupancy and Structure, Housing Value and Costs, Utilities ...

Demographic - Sex and Age, Race, Hispanic Origin, Housing Units ...

Narrative - Text profile with graphs for easy analysis ...

NOTE. Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation. states. counties. cities and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties.

For more information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definitions, see Survev Methodoloav ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates SEX AND AGE Total population

Male Female

)

Under 5 years 5 to 9 years 1 0 to 1 4 years 15 to 19 years 20 to 24 years 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 59 years 60 to 64 years 65 to 74 years 75 to 84 years 85 years and over Median age (years) 1 8 years and over 21 years and over 62 years and over 65 years and over 18 years and over

Male Female

65 years and over

Male Female

1 05,706

-***

52,874 52,832

+/-242 +/-242

6,661 5,820 6,71 2 8,648 1 0,279 1 3,553 1 3,789 1 4,725 6,338 4,853 6,699 5,401 2,228 35.8 82,448 75,765 1 7,301 1 4,328 82,448

40,800 41 ,648 1 4,328

5,502 8,826

1 05,706

(X)

50.0% 50.0%

+/-0.2 +/-0.2

+/-1 82 +/-587 +/-547 +/-263 +/-306 +/-433 +/-294 +/-366 +/-51 4 +/-51 4 +/-131 +/-388 +/-349

6.3% 5.5% 6.3% 8.2% 9.7% 1 2.8% 1 3.0% 1 3.9% 6.0% 4.6% 6.3% 5. 1 % 2. 1 %

+/-0.2 +/-0.6 +/-0.5 +/-0.2 +/-0.3 +/-0.4 +/-0.3 +/-0.3 +/-0.5 +/-0 .5 +/-0. 1 +/-0.4 +/-0.3

+/-0.3

(X)

(X)

*****

+/-507 +/-437 +/-145

78.0% 71 .7% 16.4% 1 3.6%

--

82,448

+/-1 45

1 4,328

+/-169 +/-1 69 +/-1 24 +/-89

49.5% 50.5%

38.4% 61 .6%

*****

+/-0.5 +/-0.4 +/-0. 1 (X)

+/-0.2 +/-0.2 (X)

+/-0.6 +/-0.6

RACE Total population

1 05,706

1 03,575 2, 1 31

+/-425 +/-425

-

1 05,706

98.0% 2.0%

+/-0. 4 +/-0.4

One race White Black or African American

1 03,575 94,260 6,685

+/-425 +/-257 +/-41 0

98.0% 89.2% 6.3%

+/-0.4 +/-0.2 +/-0.4

One race Two or more races

)

Estimate Margin of Error Percent Margin of Error

(X)

)

ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates

American Indian and Alaska Native Cherokee tribal grouping Chippewa tribal grouping Navajo tribal grouping Sioux tribal grouping Asian Asian Indian Chinese Filipino Japanese Korean Vietnamese Other Asian Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian Guamanian or Chamorro Samoan Other Pacific Islander Some other race Two or more races White and Black or African American White and American Indian and Alaska Native White and Asian Black o r African American and American I ndian and Alaska Native

Estimate Margin of Error Percent Margin of Error

240 N N N N 1 ,825 427 367 447 1 82 111 1 90 1 01 21 N N N N 544

2,1 31 1 ,290 493 1 41 0

Total population

)

HISPANIC OR LATINO AND RACE Total population

+/-477 +/-61 +/-72 +/-81 N +/-234

--

1 05,706

1 05,706

--

1 05,706

1 05,706

Hispanic or Latino (of any race) Mexican Puerto Rican Cuban Other Hispanic or Latino Not Hispanic or Latino White alone Black o r African American alone American Indian and Alaska Native alone Asian alone Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone Some other race alone Two o r more races Two races including Some other race Two races excluding Some other race, and Three o r more races Total housing units

ACS Demographic and Housing Estimates

)

0.2% N N N N 1 .7% 0.4% 0.3% 0.4% 0.2% 0. 1 % 0.2% 0. 1 % 0.0% N N N N 0.5% 2.0% 1 .2% 0.5% 0. 1 % 0.0%

96,341 8,088 779 2,033 N 638

Race a/one or in combination with one or more other races

White Black or African American American Indian and Alaska Native Asian Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Some other race

+/-144 N N N N +/-1 1 6 +/-281 +/-209 +/-332 +/-163 +/-1 05 +/-148 +/-1 1 5 +/-35 N N N N +/-21 3 +/-425 +/-41 6 +/-109 +/-101 +/-1 54

1 ,695 N N N N 1 04,01 1 93,257 6,685 21 1 1 ,785 21 59 1 ,993 0 1 ,993 47,288

Estimate

91 . 1 % 7.7% 0.7% 1 .9% N 0.6%

*****

N N N N

1 .6% N N N N

+/-0.1 N N N N +/-0.1 +/-0.3 +/-0.2 +/-0.3 +/-0.2 +/-0. 1 +/-0. 1 +/-0. 1 +/-0. 1 N N N N +/-0.2 +/-0.4 +/-0.4 +/-0. 1 +/-0. 1 +/-0.1 (X)

+/-0.5 +/-0. 1 +/-0. 1 +/-0. 1 N +/-0.2 (X) *****

N N N N

+/-59 +/-41 0 +/-1 09 +/-1 01 +/-35 +/-59 +/-423 +/-154 +/-423

98.4% 88.2% 6.3% 0.2% 1 .7% 0.0% 0.1 % 1 .9% 0.0% 1 .9%

+/-0. 1 +/-0.4 +/-0.1 +/-0. 1 +/-0. 1 +/-0. 1 +/-0.4 +/-0. 1 +/-0.4

+/-656

(X)

(X)

*****

Margin of Error Percent

*****

Marain of Error

)

Vigo County, I nd iana Population and Housing Narrative P rofile: 2006-2008 Data Set: 2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates u rvey: American Com m u n ity Su rvey

Education, Marital Status, Relationships, Fertility, Grandparents ...

Economic - Income, Employment, Occupation, Commuting to Work...

Housing - Occupancy and Structure, Housing Value and Costs, Utilities ...

Demographic - Sex and Age, Race, Hispanic Origin, Housing Units .

Narrative Text profile with graphs for easy analysis ...

����-

.

-

NOTE. Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, it is the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program that produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation. states, counties. cities and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties.

For more information on confidentiality protection, sampling error, nonsampling error, and definit ions, see Survey Methodology.

HOUSEHOLDS AN D FAM I LI ES: I n 2006-2008 there were 4 1 , 000 h ouseholds in Vigo Cou nty. The average household size was 2.3 people.

Families made u p 62 percent of the h ouseholds i n Vigo Cou nty. This figu re i ncludes both married-couple fam i l ies (46 percent) and other fam ilies ( 1 6 percent). N onfa mily households made u p 38 percent of a l l households i n Vigo County. Most o f t h e nonfamily households were people l iving alone, b u t some were composed of people l iving in households i n which no one was related to the h ouseholder.

The Types of Households i n Vigo County, I ndiana i n

Married-couple families

Other families

People living alone

Other nonfamily households

46%

1 6%

�O%

�% I

o

I

I

I I

I

I

I I

10

I

I

20

I

I I I

I

30

I

I I I

I

I

40

I

I

I I

50

Percent of households

)

2006-2008

Source: American Community Survey, 2006-2008

I

I I

I

I

60

I

I I I

I

70

I

I

I I

I

I

80

I I

I

I

90

I

I I I

I

1 00

)

NATIVITY A N D LANG UAGE : Two percent of the people l iving in Vigo Cou nty in 2006-200B were foreign born. N inety-ei g ht percent was native, i nclu d i ng 75 percent who were born i n I nd iana.

Among people at least five years old l iving i n Vigo County i n 2006-200B, 4 percent spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a langu age other tha n E n gl is h at home, 3B percent spoke Spanish and 62 percent spoke some other language; 29 percent reported that they d id n ot speak Eng lish "very wel L " G EOGRAP H I C M O B I L ITY: I n 2006-200B, 8 1 percent of the people a t least o n e year o l d l iving i n Vigo County were living i n the same residence one year earlier; 1 2 percent had moved d u ri n g the past year from another residence in the same county, 4 percent from another county i n the same state, 3 percent from another state, and less than 0 . 5 percent from abroad.

Geographic Mobility of Residents of Vigo County, I nd ia na in

Same residence

2006-2008

�1 %

_

•••••••••••••••••••••••••• Different residence, same county 1 2% Different county, same state

)

Different state

f4%

3%

Abroad 0% , I I I I , 1 ' 1 I , I , I 1 , 1 . , I I ' ,

o

10

20

30

40

,

, , I I I I , ' I I , , I I I ' , I , , , , I I I I ,

50

60

70

80

90

1 00

Percent of people age 1 year and over

Source: American Community Survey, 2006-2008 EDUCATIO N : I n 2006-2008, 84 percent of people 25 years and over had at least g raduated from high school and 22 percent had a bachelor's degree o r h ig her. Sixteen percent were d ropouts ; they were n ot enro lled in school and had not g raduated from high school .

The total school enrollment in Vigo County was 30, 000 i n 2006-200B. N u rsery school a n d kindergarten enrollment was 2,600 and elementary or h ig h school enrol lment was 1 5,000 children. College or g raduate school enro llment was 1 2 , 000.

The Educational Attai nment of People i n Vigo County, Indiana i n

)

I

Graduate or professional degree 1 0%

2006-2008

)

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

Some college, no degree

H � �� d�� m equivalency

1 2%

8%

21 %

-••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

�%

_

Less than high school •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• diploma 16% 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

o

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1 00

Percent of people 25 years and over

Source: American Community Survey, 2006-2008

)

DISAB I LITY: Data for this section can not be d i sp layed because the n u m ber of sam p le cases is too smal l .

Displaying the data would risk d isclosing info rmation for i n d ividuals.

I N D USTRI ES: In 2006-2 008, for the employed popu lation 16 years and older, the leading i ndustries in Vigo County were Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 28 percent, and Manufacturing, 1 5 percent.

Em ployment by I ndustry in Vigo County, I ndiana in

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 1 %

� Tn

Construction

�%

= "0

.5 'S

!

C»

Manufacturing

Wholesale trade Retail trade

)

1 5%

�%

I

2006-2008

1 3% Transportation and warehousing, and utilities

Information Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services

�%

�%

4% 6%

Educational services, and health care and social assistance 28 Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation, and food services

)

Other Services, except public administration

Public administration

%

�% �%

�% I

o

I

I

I I

I

I

I I

10

I

I

I

20

I

I I

I

I

30

I I I

I

40

I

I

I

I

I

50

I

I I

I

I

I

I I I

60

I

70

I

I

I I

I

80

I

I

I

I

I

90

I

I

I I

I

1 00

Percent of employed people 1 6 years and over

Source: American Community Survey, 2006-2008 OCCU PATIONS AN D TYPE OF E M P LOYER: Among the most common occupations were: M anagement, professional, and related occupations, 30 percent; Sales and office occupations, 24 percent; Service occupations, 20 percent; Production, transportatio n , and material moving occu pations, 1 7 percent; and Construction, extractio n , maintenance and repair occupations, 9 percent. Eighty-three percent of the people employed were P rivate wage and salary workers; 1 3 percent was Federal, state, o r local government workers; and 4 percent was Self-em ployed in own not incorporated business workers.

TRAVEL TO WORK: Eig hty-three percent of Vigo Cou nty workers d rove to work alone in 2006-2 008, 9 percent carpooled , less than 0 . 5 percent took public transportatio n , and 5 percent used other means. The remaining 3 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 1 9. 5 minutes to get to work.

)

)

I NCOM E: The median i ncom e of h ouseholds in Vigo Cou nty was $37,082 . Seventy-five percent of the households received earn ings and 1 9 percent received retirement i ncome other tha n Social Security.

Thirty-one percent of the h ouseholds received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $ 1 5 , 078. These i ncome sou rces are not m utually exclusive; that is, some h ouseholds received income from more than one sou rce.

POVERTY AN D PART I C I PATION I N GOVE R N M E N T P ROGRAMS: I n 2006-2008, 20 percent of people were in poverty. Twenty-seven percent of related ch i l d ren u nder 1 8 were below the poverty level, compared with 12 percent of people 65 years old and over. Fourteen percent of all fam ilies and 35 percent of families with a female householder and n o h usband present had i ncomes below the poverty level.

Poverty Rates i n Vigo County, Indiana i n

People age 65 and over

Re'a�d ch�d�n under 1 8 years

All families

)

Female householder families

2006-2008

1 2%

������� 127%

1 4%

35% Ii i iii i ii iii iii II iiiii i iiI i ii IIi ,iI Ii i iII I Ii iIi iiI I

o

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1 00

Percent below poverty level

Source: American Community Survey, 2006-2008 POPU LATION OF Vigo County: I n 2006-2008, Vigo County h ad a total population of 1 06 , 000 - 53, 000 (50 percent) females and 53, 000 (50 percent) m ales. The median age was 35.8 years. Twenty-two percent of the popu lation was under 1 8 years and 1 4 percent was 65 years and older.

The Age Distri bution of People i n Vigo County, I ndiana i n

65 and over

1 4%

� � C) c»

� u

45 to 64

c» C) ct

)

25 to 44

25%

�6%

2006-2008

)

1 8 to 24

1 4%

Under 1 8

2% I ' , , , I ' , , , I ' , , , I '

10

o

20

30

•

, , I ' , , , I ' , , , I ' , , , 1 ' 1 1 ' 1 ' , , , I ' , 1 ' 1

50

40

60

70

80

90

1 00

Percent of population

Source: American Community Survey, 2006-2008 For people reporting one race alone, 89 percent was White; 6 percent was Black or African American; less than 0.5 percent was American I nd ia n and Alaska Native; 2 percent was Asian; less than 0 . 5 percent was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific I slander, and 1 percent was Some other race. Two percent reported Two or more races. Two percent of the people in Vigo Cou nty was H ispa n ic. Eighty-eight percent of the people i n Vigo Cou nty was White non-H ispa nic. People of H ispanic origi n may be of any race.

HOUS I NG C HARACTERISTICS: I n 2006-2008, Vigo Cou nty had a total of 47, 000 h ousing u n its, 1 2 perce�t of wh ich were vacant. Of the total housing u n its, 74 percent was i n s i ng le- u n it structures, 22 percent was in m u lti-un it structures, and 4 percent was mobile homes. N ineteen percent of the housing units were b u i lt since 1 990.

)

,

The Types of Housing U nits i n Vigo County, I ndiana i n

Single-unit structures

:t::: C

�=

�� �'ii 1"'- .c 5

In mult i-unit structures

Mobile homes

2006-2008

174%

�%

14% I '

o

,

, I

I ' , , , I ' , , , 1 ' 1 ' , I '

10

20

30

40

,

, , I ' , , , I ' I ' , I ' , 1 ' 1 ' , , I I ' , , , I

50

60

70

80

90

1 00

Percent of housing u nits

Source: American Community Survey, 2006-2008

)

OCCU P I E D H O U S I N G U N I T CHARACTERISTICS: I n 2006-2008, Vigo County had 4 1 , 000 occupied housing u n its - 27,000 (66 percent) owner occupied and 1 4, 000 (34 percent) renter occupied . Seven percent of the households did not have telephone service and 8 percent of the households d id not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use . M u lti Veh icle h ouseholds were n ot rare. Thirty-seven percent had two veh icles and another 1 8 percent had three or more.

HOUS I N G COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $955, nonmortgaged owners $340, and renters $583. Twenty-five percent of owners with mortgages, 1 9 percent of owners without mortgages, and 51 percent of renters in Vigo County spent 30 percent or more of household income on housing.

Occupants with a Housing Cost Burden in Vigo County, I ndiana i n

Owners with mortgage

Owners without mortgage

Renters

2006·2008

� 5%

1 9%

51 % o

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Percent paying 30 percent or more o f income for housing

Source: American Community Survey, 2006-2008

)

)

The letters PDF or symbol �indicate a document is in the Portable Document Format (PDF). To view the file you will need the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader, which is available for free from the Adobe web site.

1 00

Created by:

155 Oak Street Terre Haute, IN 47807 Phone: 812-462-3392 Fax: 812-232-2862 www.VigoCounty.in.gov