From time to time, I would like to publish ideas from you the viewer of this blog. Since starting my two blogs, I have gotten a bunch of ideas for the city that has made me say " Why didn't I think of that?" I believe that these emails just goes to show you, that if the city were to host a brainstorming session where residents could come up with ideas for Roberts Stadium and the ballfields at Kleymeyer Park, there is no telling what kind of great ideas we would find.
For this reason, I will now show you an email I received from a fan of this blog. It has a lot of great things in it!...
"I agree with the Recovery Bonds for Garvin Park area. Why not put 4 ball fields in that location and a walking bridge to Kleymeyer Park where 4 ball fields could be located (3 are already there but would need upgraded). I think there already is a dog park there too. This might be a win-win for the Vanderburgh Humane Society located near this area by walking to the park instead of driving (people and pet exercise). Why not develop along that stretch of Pigeon Creek into a Whitewater area with recycling pumps with kayak put-ins located in Garvin Park (this would be costly, but not found in to many cities. I would prefer an entire Whitewater Park in Vanderburgh or Warrick County). We already have the Greenway. Promote a Bike rental area along with the ballfields for parents to rent or bring their own while their kids, husband, wives, or friends play ball. Work with Vertical Escape to design and build climbing walls/boulders along the Greenway Paths for more physical exercise. Include a rope course for even more physical activity avenues. Create the Garvin-Kleymeyer park area into The Place to go to spend the day outdoors! All Year Long! Develop wildlife information sites where visitors can learn about the Pigeon Creek and it's animal inhabitants. Maybe incorporate Solar power for the Park lighting. It would be costly, but with rebates and "green" thinking we might get a lot of funds.
I would like to see a more park like situation at the Stadium site to continue the Wesselman theme, but not as elitist. Plant native hardwood trees and floral trees, and plants. Add 4 pavilions for visitors or citizens to rent for family gatherings and receptions. Add geothermal heating and a/c (how eco~friendly is that! It would also be an income maker for Wesselman or the Parks! What a novel idea.
I know a local restaurateur who would jump at the chance to have an event facility there and also run a restaurant daily on site). Place simple playgrounds and splash areas for visitors. Include green areas for visitors to play games. Improve the Shelters in Wesselman. Connect park paths with the State Hospital grounds. Improve Hartke park with an olympic size lap pool.
I believe visitors will go to the mall no matter where the ball parks are located. If your a shopper, 15-20 minutes drives are nothing! Straight south on First Ave to East on the Expressway to Eastland Mall.
Just a thought: Could we convert Roberts stadium to a swim/aquatic center? remove the collapsable seats and that would be a huge pool! Maybe 2 pools or a Diving pool and 1 large lap pool. Not sure of olympic pool sizing as we may get 2 in there or even 2 pools and a diving well. Rent it to the EVSC for more physical education for students! During School hours it could be used for citizens daily as a lap pool. The parking lot would not need to be as large so we could add some trees or green areas. I would imagine the humidity of a pool would never work with the existing stadium. But what an idea! Check out this video for a similar site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBXDQyYGmTE&feature=related
I would be willing to bet there are sites on the South Side or even near Downtown Evansville that would be ideal for the ball park plan.
The opportunities for park development is endless.
Features desired in a park:
1. Rope course
2. Wildlife information stops
3. Bike rental and paths
4. Modern Restrooms
5. Rentable buildings for events- Private and public with heat and A/C
6. Climbing walls
7. exercise stations
8. Green areas - place to play lawn games: corn hole, hillbilly golf, whiffle ball, Bocce, croquet, pitch and catch, frisbee, sack-races, misc fun.
9. Sand volleyball courts
10. Playgrounds - assorted small groupings close to each shelter so parents can watch their kids without leaving their family event.
11. Horseshoe pits (one per shelter)
12. Drinking fountains
13. Splash/water spot 12x12 is big enough for each shelter.
14. picnic tables
15. Charcoal grills and fire pits
16. Electricity access at open shelters.
More information and some videos and pictures of other ideas and examples:
2 olympic size pools, 1 diving pool, splash park area that would also be utilized year round, with retractible roofs for year round usage: ( http://www.libart.com/products/freestanding/ )
Outdoor workout area - (created in cooperation with the National Gaurd and Reserve Units)
http://www.outdoorfunstore.com/commercial-fitness-healthtrek.asp
http://www.davidwilliamsassociates.com/fitness/triactive
http://www.outdoor-fitness.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3FRUPFHClg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEc1R1MFC6o&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68Yv2NPAJ_w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQj_C7JS0_Q&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrxpH6_viMU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGfRDeqLCu8&feature=related
Artificial kayak/rafting course running around the stadium property? It could run nearly year round if not year round (water flowing). (exercise, and not beer drinking exercise a~la softball)
The following is a link to the U.S. National Whitewater Center that seems like a great idea for this property:
http://usnwc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=207&Itemid=524
Imagine Kayaking, zip-lining, a Mega Jump, rock climbing, rafting, adventure course, and biking (Ieisure biking would be nice with the number of bikers we have in this area(ever been to the Great Pumpkin Bike Race at the 4-H?)
Note the only noise I can foresee is laughter and an occasional blood curdling scream of joy, terror, and excitement!
There would still be lighting, but I must agree the Musco lighting is about the only way to illuminate a facility.
Do something for all of us, not a few of us. I know many softball players, and most are driving to a site and driving home to play in tournaments. Yeah, they spend some money, but most don't spend the night. Parents with kids who are in the events might. Most probably do not.
Enough about that. Below I have included some random thought on the Evansville Future.
I foresee a pattern of movement in the planning. The Jail has moved, the EVSC has moved from SE 9th, an aging Civic/Judicial facility. It won't be long until the Civic/Judicial building will need an update. The battle will be to update or build new. We will build new after much debate. Main Street will open up with a direct line to North Main Street. That could very well be the next boom of new businesses and housing upgrades. With wider sidewalks, upgraded storefronts this could really blossom into something nice. A real tourist area along with downtown. This would tie Bosse Field with the downtown area and create another quick entrance and exit for the new arena. (yes, I am for it, just would rather had it ran better, seems a waste of money with the Executive debacle, Every citizen saw that coming ten miles away).
I would also like to see the dam by the river downtown widened on top from the 4 Freedom's monument to Waterworks Road so it would be more conducive to events that would not require a closing of Riverside. Wide enough for vendors and tents to sit on top with people traffic. Check out Owensboro's plan, They got it right by creating an event plaza without stopping traffic flow during the work day.
Put that Softball/ Baseball park in the downtown area, the city probably owns enough lots to create a new park for such a facility. Why put just a whiffle ball field in Tepee Park? Imagine what parents could do with their children if they had access to "the park" if it was in the downtown area? You might see more people playing baseball/softball. I can almost smell a cook off contest already nearby! Take two blocks and create a softball/baseball park with surrounding businesses that support the health of individuals. Picture these facilities with grant driven funding on each adjoining side:
Spinning classes
Weight room
Dance - Gymnastics
Art exploring room ~ paint, draw, carving, crafting
Martial arts
Book-exchange room
Treadmill area
along with small businesses that would encourage health and well being.
We cannot build a nicer Aquarium or Anything like an Indianapolis, St. Louis, Louisville, or Cincinnati. We don't have the population or money. Be unique! Think Big, Think Outside The Box! Don't be like every other town and city, If you try and plan you can succeed with the people's approval."
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