Canal Park boat not meant to float
Comet staff report

Two boats are better than one The Canal Association announced earlier that it will realize its long dream of having a replica canal boat on the water. While this is still in the planning stages, actual construction has begun on another look-alike canal boat that will remain on land. It will be a playground version, meant for kids (and adults) to explore. Volunteer builders pictured with part of the framework, l-r, are Gene Knight of Deer Creek, Al Auffart of Cutler, and Roy Patrick of Lafayette. Several other volunteers are also helping with the project. Photo provided.

For the first time in over a century, Delphi's Canal Park will sport the likeness of a life-size canal boat.

Plans were drawn by designer Len Mysliwiec, and the volunteer crew has rallied to begin constructing a "look alike" full-scale model of a canal boat.

Dan McCain, canal board president, said this on-land playground version should provide lots of entertainment for children and adults. It will be outdoors 365 days per year.

The boat is being constructed with weatherproof wood and will feature many intriguing crawl space cavities, according to McCain. Its location will be the "basin" area in front of the Canal Center.

"It won't be over water, but will be level with a slightly elevated sidewalk to give the impression that it is tied up next to a dock," Mc- Cain said. Access will be by a gang plank to the deck level while the starboard side will allow a child's slide and chain ladder for kids to exit into the dry basin.

Conceptual interactive designs are being prepared for nine individually unique sites along the Towpath Trail section, plus the historic canal crossing site at Carrollton Bridge north of Delphi. This playground boat becomes part of the second site that has been inaugurated with special exhibitry. The first site gained an old historic railroad baggage building six weeks ago when it was transported from near Rockfield and placed near the old Monon crossing at the back of Canal Park.

McCain said the volunteer "regulars" have been ready for the challenge of building this boat model since the completion of their last big construction project (the restoration of the Stearns Truss iron bridge).

This building work now is being done inside Ed Gru- ber's barn that offers a wood stove to take off the chill on frosty winter mornings. Twenty-foot sections are being framed and then these sections will be transported to Canal Park for final assembly later this spring.

McCain explained that cedar was chosen for the sides of the boat because it will weather and retain its rustic looks for many years. Sixteen-foot long rough sawn 1x8 boards are being fastened to the struts of the frame, and the surface "skin" has to bend to conform to the shape of the bow. Inside this bow is a double deck with a "hatch" that will give kids a hide and seek effect while discovering how these historic barges were built and used on the Wabash & Erie Canal in the heyday of the 1840s and 50s.

"This playground attraction will come a year before the operational replica boat - the one that will float and carry up to 35 passengers for a mile long trip on our reconstructed waterway," McCain said. "The tedious planning for this million dollar enterprise is almost complete. Bidding is expected to be announced by INDOT early this summer. Completion of this project with its realistic protective warehouse (inside storage at waterlevel) plus the grand dock will come in late spring 2009. This floating boat will be built by a marine contractor, likely out of state."

"Much of the money for this federal grant has been secured, but time is nearing when the Canal Association must remit the 20 percent match to start the construction contract," McCain continued. "Donor support for this and many unique interactive displays and graphic panels is now being sought."

He said a fundraising campaign titled "The Total Canal Experience" is being launched.

"Exclusive donor naming of various sized exhibits and graphics present an opportunity that contributors will have for a selected display they like," McCain said.

For further information on any of the trailside interpretive items or for general support of the match needed for the operational replica boat ask for a prospectus via email admin@canalcenter.org Wood boards needed

"We are needing a source of 2 or 3 inch thick by 14 inch wide cedar, poplar or other suitable weatherproof material for use on the gunwale above the deck," Mc- Cain said. "Various lengths of these boards could be used but a total of about 150 lineal feet are needed. Perhaps some good salvage material from a barn or outbuilding might be available."