By PAULENE POPARAD

Burns Harbor’s newest town park has a name.

On the recommendation of Park Board member Wally Macchiarella, the board voted unanimously Tuesday to dedicate the one-acre Harbor Trails subdivision park to outgoing Town Council member Dick Bolinger. The vote was unanimous with member Leann Perrine absent.

Bolinger, who’s served on the council a combined two decades and is retiring, has been its liaison to the Park Department for several years. “He’s been very, very supportive of the park and this would be a good way to honor him,” Macchiarella said.

Park Board president Ron Day and member Dawn Ruge concurred. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and sign installation will be scheduled at the park when Bolinger is able to attend.

Park Director Kim Burton reported the children’s play structure has been installed at the Harbor Trails park between Tanya and Carol streets. “We’ve had a lot of compliments on it,” she said. “It’s a really nice piece of equipment.”

Construction on the $20,000 project, including a pea-gravel mulch base, won’t be completed until likely this weekend so children have been asked to keep off the play equipment until then.

The board asked Burton to consult lawn experts about the feasibility of power raking the park grounds, mostly clay, possibly amending the soil with black dirt and seeding it yet this year. Experts may recommend waiting until spring, said Ruge. “We want to do it right the first time.”

Also Tuesday, Macchiarella announced he has submitted to the Town Council his resignation from the Park Board effective Jan. 1. He is completing his sixth year as a Democratic appointment and would have three more to serve; Macchiarella initially was appointed to fill an unexpired term.

“At this time I wish to focus my energy and efforts with the Burns Harbor Fire Department, where I serve as captain and as the president of the (firefighters) incorporation,” according to Macchiarella’s resignation, which also pointed to both park challenges faced and advances made.

“When I joined the Park Board we had a budget deficit that we were able to reverse and bring back into the black; we have made improvements in the parks and added park facilities for the use and enjoyment of our community,” he added.

Macchiarella said he’s enjoyed working with everyone, and Burton said he will be missed. Board members said they believe Day’s appointment to the Park Board expires Dec. 31 as well.

Lakeland billboards?

The board is aware lean financial times may be ahead again and has been investigating ways of possibly raising money for the Park Department.

Burton reported Lamar Outdoor Advertising is considering whether to propose locating two billboards, 14 feet by 48 feet each, in 27-acre Lakeland Park along its Interstate 94 frontage. Lamar tentatively would look at a $7,500 per sign, per year lease for the first 10 years or $15,000 annually for two signs, and $17,000 a year for the second 10 years under a 20-year contract.

After the meeting Day said, “Right now we’re only getting quotes what revenue we could receive and we’re discussing it. Nothing’s in concrete.” Even if the Park Board would agree to a contract with Lamar, the park is owned by the town and the Town Council would have to approve it, too.

Burton said the Park Board inquired about one billboard but Lamar brought up two, one at Lakeland’s west end near the maintenance building and one at the park’s east end near the Rainbow mobile home community.

Burton told the board Lamar needs confirmation of Lakeland’s zoning and a plat of survey to investigate a proposal in more detail because variances from the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals might be required. Billboards are a permitted use in Industrial 1 and 2 zones in Burns Harbor, which Lakeland isn’t. Burton said Lamar might want a variance to exceed the existing 45-foot-tall business off-premise sign height limitation.

Town code also restricts the distance of one off-premise sign to another off-premise sign to be at least 1,500 feet apart, and to be at least 300 feet from any platted residential development. In addition to Rainbow on the east, the new Parkwood Estates residential subdivision has been approved abutting Lakeland to the west.

Ruge asked what control the Park Board would have over what is advertised on the billboards. Burton said that wasn’t discussed; neither was whether the signs would be illuminated. According to Day, “There’s no way (Lamar) would spend $80,000 to $100,000 to put up a sign and only have church groups advertise on it.”

Several years ago the Town Council approved construction of a cellular tower behind the town hall on North Boo Road and that approximately $9,000 annual lease payment goes into a scholarship fund that awards money to town residents seeking higher education.

Movie night a hit

“Word is getting out; our movie nights continue to grow,” Burton said, referring to the first Saturday of the month family film fests at Lakeland’s arts and craft building. Nov. 3 the park hosted between 25 and 30 people. Ruge thanked Burton for organizing the popular events.

A donation by the Duneland Exchange Club of a heavy-duty American flag and an Indiana state flag was recognized with thanks. The flags are flown when the park summer program is underway from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The flags replace ones that were stolen.

Posted 11/8/2007