By MARGARET L. WILLIS

Paul Tharp attends the Chesterton Park Board on a regular basis, but rarely makes requests of the board, choosing to simply observe.  He made an exception Tuesday when he asked the board to at least consider reorganizing the Fourth of July  festivities to include fireworks once again.

“Some things would have to change,” he acknowledged, “but I think I have a workable idea.”

Tharp said if the fireworks launching area were moved to the east side of Dogwood Park a limited fireworks display might be possible. An agreement would need to be worked out with the  adjacent Bethlehem Lutheran Church, which previously has managed a fundraiser by parking cars in an area which would likely have to be roped off to create the fireworks safety zone. “We might impose on them a bit,” Tharp added.

He questioned whether the safety zone would need to be 500 ft. radius or 1,000 ft. The board was not clear on that and said it would have to be established by the fire department.

Trees would make ground displays impossible too, Tharp said. He suggested the festival side of the celebration could still be held in the west unit of Dogwood.

Board members made no response and did not discuss the proposal.

Tharp said he wasn’t looking for a decision, just wanted the board to think about whether such  changes might make it possible to hold the festivities in town once again. “I’ve heard a lot of complaints and I just want to get you thinking about it,” he said.

Mouth Guards 

Urged For Soccer

Mark O’Dell, registrar for the Duneland Soccer Club, was on hand to request use of the Dogwood Park soccer fields for the spring season. 

The club has 155 participants signed up so far, he said and registration is still underway.

The Soccer Club will fertilize the fields and provide three porta-potties, he said.

The Club’s season begins April 5 and runs through June 14.

The board was unanimous in their support of the Club’s use of the fields.

Then O’Dell proceeded to present the board with a check for $775, a donation to the park gift fund from the Duneland Soccer Club.

Board members asked O’Dell to ask the Club to encourage the use of mouth guards for players, on the recommendation of a local dentist.

O’Dell agreed he would take the topic to the Soccer Club board. He said mouth guards and head gear are available but not yet mandatory under league rules.

In other business, Park Superintendent Bruce Mathias reported that the final work on water lines in the park maintenance area is near completion.

He and O’Dell, town engineer, will meet with a Federal Emergency Management Administration official this Thursday about flood damage in Coffee Creek Park.

Mathias also submitted his year end report to the board, detailing month by month the activities, repairs and maintenance performed in all park units.

Posted 1/7/2009