A new park is one step closer to becoming a reality in northwest Carmel.
Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is seeking to purchase 26 acres at the southwest corner of 146th Street and Shelborne Road to develop into a park. Currently, West Park near 116th Street and Towne Road is the only CCPR park west of Meridian Street.
CCPR’s offer to purchase the land for $2.13 million is contingent on the parks board approving a name selected by the seller for a major feature, such as a playground, pavilion or nature preserve, in the park. Sellers David and Beth Bidgood requested “The Carter Family” be used in honor of Beth Bidgood’s family, who purchased the property many years ago.
The board approved use of “The Carter Family” at its Aug. 11 virtual meeting. CCPR expects to close on the sale in September. A name for the park as a whole has not been determined.
CCPR Director Michael Klitzing said it will likely be two to five years before the park is developed and opened to the public.
“Our first step will be to develop a park master plan, which is typically a nine to 12 month process, involves significant public input and will ultimately identify what is built in the park,” Klitzing said. “We will also need to secure necessary funding for development, which is estimated to cost at least $6.5 million in 2020 dollars based on our recent construction projects.”
BOARD APPROVES BUDGET
The Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation board approved a $4.07 million budget for 2021, which is 9 percent more than the previous one. Approximately 73 percent of the increase is associated with increased maintenance needs for Monon Boulevard, the Sister Cities Garden and Hotel Carmichael public restroom facility. The budget adds two full-time employees.
The Carmel City Council will have final voting authority on the budget.
