Elkhart County Parks seeks public input on master plan

ELKHART — The Elkhart County Park and Recreation Board is seeking input from the public for the development of the 2024-2028 Five Year Master Plan.

Over the next five weeks, members of the community can provide their ideas and suggestions for improvements to the park properties, services and amenities via an online survey or in person at one of the Parks’ upcoming public meetings:

• Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Baldwin One-room Schoolhouse in Bonneyville Mill County Park, 15336 County Road 131, Bristol

• Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Cobus Shelter at Cobus Creek County Park, 30680 County Road 8, Elkhart

• Thursday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Cottonwood Shelter in Ox Bow County Park, 23033 County Road 45, Goshen

The planning firm Lehman & Lehman will lead the community discussions.

Encompassing more than 1,300 acres and 36 miles of trails, Elkhart County Parks serves an estimated 500,000 visitors annually and owns and operates six major parks, including Bonneyville Mill County Park, Cobus Creek County Park, Ox Bow County Park, River Preserve County Park, Boot Lake Nature Preserve and the upcoming Corson Riverwoods County Park.

The parks system also operates two historic sites, Bonneyville Mill and the Elkhart County Historical Museum, and manages nine miles of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, among other activities.

The Elkhart County Parks 20242028 Five Year Master Plan will be submitted in the fall of 2023 to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Approved master plans are critical in the eligibility for state and federal grants, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Through the month of September, the 15-minute survey can be taken at elkhartcountyparks.org, where more information can be found.