By MARGARET L. WILLIS

Two near future events proposed by the Duneland Business Initiative Committee could become annual events in Chesterton, depending on the community response.

Michelle Blunt and Erin Harris appeared before the Chesterton Park Board Tuesday to propose two and perhaps more, events in Thomas Park ; Old Fashioned Day, June 14, to coincide with Flag Day and Taste of Chesterton, on August 30, Labor Day weekend.

Other possibilities, though less certain, include a Pet Parade and an Art Event.

The Duneland Business Initiative Committee has 144 members, Harris said, and is currently working toward a number of organized community event days, possibly up to 15, designed to draw more people into the downtown and remain to shop or dine; following the European Market and generally.

Park Board members were supportive, recommending the committee make Thomas Park reservations early. “As soon as you know your dates,” urged board member Roy Flaherty, noting the popularity of the bandstand in summer for staging weddings and wedding photos. “Let’s not have any angry brides,” he added.

The logistics of electrical needs and booth set up must be gone over with Parks Superintendent Bruce Mathias, and the town Street Department if the parking areas or roadway are involved, board members noted.

The Old Fashioned Day, proposed for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to span the day during and after the European Market, could included carriage rides, an ice cream social with local vendors, local booksellers, authors and books on local history, booths for local service groups and entertainment by barbershop quartets, Blunt said.

The committee has “A variety of ideas to try to expand local business opportunities, “Blunt told the board.

Board members noted two possible park sponsored events which don’t have definite dates yet; one a car show, the other a Fall Fest.

Garbage and maintenance issues

The board agreed with a proposal by board member John Kroft that the board ask the town to include easily accessible park garbage cans in the rounds of town pickups.

By unanimous vote the board will send a letter requesting the town consider including park unit containers that are easy to reach in the town’s agreement for trash pick up.

Some outstanding maintenance issues were recently addressed by the volunteers with the Duneland Rebuilding Together day and the MOMS Club.

Kroft offered his thanks, which were echoed by other board members, in particular to Annette Hanson and the MOMS Club and Jeff Flatz, who worked much beyond the one day of RBT to finish the new roof on the Chesterton Park’s summer program building.

Kroft and Mathias joked with each other about doing roof work as both volunteered in the park during RBT.

Mathias reported continued renovation work on the Maintenance Building and installation, with volunteer help, of new concrete in the softball shed. Repair work has been done on the walking bridge in Coffee Creek Park and a $500 dollar donation has been received from Applebee’s.

Bids for work in Westwood Park are not in yet, Mathias told the board.

In other business resident Nate Osbourn presented the board with a list of issues he’s taken note of in Dogwood Park such as graffiti, a broken picnic grill, rocks and debris on the east side and basketball nets and backboards in need of repair.

Nearly all of the problems on Osbourn’s list are either routine maintenance that will be accomplished as the parks’ two person crew gets to them on their long list of priorities, or they are items which are part of the continuing work related to the $2 million park bond issue.

Posted 5/8/2008