Published: October 28, 2008 11:14 am      

Surveying Huston Park to cost $15,000

Parks department seeking additional appropriation to cover expense

To survey the 80 acres of Huston Park will cost about $15,000 — money the parks department has in its budget to cover the expense but still needs approval to use.

City council members met Monday to discuss the appropriation requested by the parks department. In an interview before the meeting, parks administrator Jan Fawley said the money would come from the non-reverting operating fund, which has a surplus of about $45,000.

The entire Huston Park property would be surveyed to establish topographic measurements of terrain, along with determining where utilities would come into the property and locations of drainage systems.

“It’s a pretty detailed report when it’s all done,” Fawley said.

The report is necessary for any future development. Planners will know where excavation work and drainage is needed.

“The whole plan really depends on a good survey work at this point,” Fawley said.

Newport Survey out of Walton would take on the task. The quote was for $11,000 plus expenses for anything unforeseen, Fawley said. One issue needing to be addressed is writing up a deed for Wilson Cemetery.

Fawley went to the council seeking approval for the appropriation. Council president Scott Kraud said the council would likely approve the request without opposition.

The park board approved the contract with Newport Survey in December. Fawley said she tried to get the surveying done this year but could not because of the budget delays at the state level.

“The state had to approve our budgets before we could ask for an additional appropriation,” Fawley said. “So that’s why it’s been put off this long.”

Some results have already been given to Rundell Ernstberger Associates, the group handling the park’s the master plan.

In the spring of 2007, the Harry H. Huston family donated the ground to develop the 80-acre Huston Park. Since then, the consultants at Rundell Ernstberger Associates have completed a plan.

A rendering presented this month showed a clover-leaf style softball complex that is surrounded by trees and 1.7 miles of packed stone trails that weave through the park. The plan included six football and soccer fields with a championship field for each sport as well as several smaller practice fields. In the northern portion of the park is a 5.5-acre public greensward, which is similar to an amphitheater. It would have a 50-foot stage and room for up to 5,000 people.

The plan also includes parking, both paved and unpaved, for 580 vehicles as well as shelters, picnic areas, restrooms, playgrounds and a concession area.

The city council will meet at 5 p.m. Monday.

Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com