Value of Deer Creek Park debated
By Debbie Lowe

Assessing park Park caretaker Rex Gangloff and county council member Jerry Hendress evaluate the outside of the little-used community center building at Deer Creek Park. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe

As the old Bob Dylan song goes, "The times they are a' changin'," and that sentiment could be what is "blowing in the wind" for Deer Creek Park, located in eastern Carroll County.

According to the deed of record, Carroll County assumed ownership of the property Feb. 10, 1967, from the Deer Creek Conservation Club Inc. Since that time, the county has maintained the grounds and buildings for patrons to use and enjoy.

Council member Jerry Hendress brought the matter before the council at a Friday morning meeting. He said after preparing the 2007 budget, it became clear there was county spending which deserved closer scrutiny.

He said he toured park grounds and facilities Jan. 16 and found the community building to be in disrepair, which could impact the safety of users. Hendress also discovered a lack of use of the building since the town of Deer Creek built a community center several years ago.

"There's an awful lot of expense going to that facility with very little use," Hendress said to his fellow council members. "I think we need to look at what that facility is used for."

Hendress said he attended the park board meeting the same evening of his visit. Due to the concerns he raised, the board voted to close the building to the public until a resolution to existing problems was found.

A representative of RME Insurance of Flora inspected the building Jan. 17 and listed eight "general observations" in a letter to the council dated Jan. 23. The list included: 1. Cracked cement-block walls have moved or separated to some degree. 2. Floor joist may be rotted and decayed where they enter foundation walls and should be inspected. 3. The chimney, into which the heating system vents, appeared to have experienced some movement and water leakage. 4. Cover plates were missing on electrical boxes and a light fixture was loose and hanging from ceiling. 5. There was cracked or broken window glass. 6. Firewood was stacked on the back porch area. 7. The ledger board for the back porch was decayed. 8. Electrical and heating systems appeared to be of considerable age and should be checked by a qualified contractor.

Hendress provided a financial report for the park for the past three years, which listed expenses of $50,468.69 and income of $1,672 for the same period.

"From a funding standpoint, I have a problem keeping up with this level," Hendress said. "I don't have any answers, but I'm just trying to make people aware of this situation."

"This park has always been a low-use park," Park board president Bob Burton said. "The building use varies from summer to summer."

Burton said the park is used for some reunions, fishing and camping during the summer months. He said he would like to post signs on nearby roads to advertise the park. He also said the board decided to search for grant money to assist in the cost of repairing the building as a possible solution.

"One of the problems is that nobody knows it's there," commissioner Bill Brown said.

Hendress said the county pays for caretakers to live on the property, pays for utilities, trash removal and mowing the property. The county also maintains the mower.

Hendress said the shelters and the bathrooms on the property are in good condition, however the tennis court is not and it would cost a considerable amount of money to make it useful again. There is a pump to aerate the fishing pond that is most likely inoperable, according to Hendress.

He said the park hosted skeet shooting in the past. Skeet contains lead, which is now in the ground and the pond. Hendress said Emergency Management Agency Director Justin Darling reported the lead would be considered a hazardous material. Hendress said the lead would have to be eradicated if the property was to be sold.

Council president Rob Baker recommended to Burton the park board present recommendations and solutions to the situation at the next council meeting.

Hendress noted the newly commissioned comprehensive