By Mark Ambrogi
The National Recreation Parks Association picked Carmel as one of the 30 parks around the country to have George Mason University do a comparison study. The study will focus on the Monon Community Center.
“They’re going to look at the cost recovery, its fees and the programs,” said Mark Westermeier, Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation director. “We’ll be compared to other community centers from these park systems. They’ll then share the results with us. We’re looking forward to that. We’re hoping we’re not the best because we would love to have people that are doing much better jobs than us so we can learn from them and be able to improve. Then we’re also talking to George Mason University to do economic benefits of the park system in Carmel and how we’ve impacted the overall economics of the community.”
The parks board approved allowing Union Brewing Company to serve beer at Hamilton County Open tournament, run by the Hamilton Disc Golf Union, which will be held Aug. 1 and 2 at Hazel Landing Park. Hamilton Disc Golf Union is based in Noblesville.
This fourth year for the event and the second it has hosted at Hazel Landing, 10601 Hazel Dell Pkwy.
“We don’t approve just any event for alcohol,” said Michael Klitzing, the assistant parks director. “The ones that we do are events are with partners we’ve usually worked with in the past and events we are condoning. Any event like a reunion would not be allowed to get a permit like this.
The board approved paying $39,768 to Carrier Corporation to repair the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning system at the Monon Center.
“I believe that unit services the fitness center so it’s obviously an area we need to keep it cool for the comfort of our members,” Klitzing said.
The Central Park Dog Park off 116th Street on the north side of Central Park, is now likely to open in August.
“The last thing we want to do is open up the dog park and have the grass all die,” Klitzing said.
