Knightstown Indiana Park and

Recreation Master Plan

A Comprehensive Five-Year Master Plan

by the Knightstown Park and Recreation Board

2011-2015

Prepared by:
J L O C
Jan Lockridge M.Ed.
(765) 785-2474
jaloc@hrtc.net

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Acknowledgments

This document was made possible through the dedication and hard work of many individuals and
organizations of Knightstown.

I would like to thank the members of the Knightstown Parks and Recreation Board, who
contributed countless hours of their time and creativity for this project. I would also like to thank
the members of the Knightstown City Council and the City Employees who did research through
old records for answers (that sometimes did not exist) to my questions.

I also want to thank the many community groups and individuals who provided information and
the use of their websites and photos.

A special thanks to my assistants, Andrea Grace Bell and Becca Burchett who hiked through
floodplains, muck on photo shoots, and worked diligently on data entry.

Jan Lockridge
March 21, 2011

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................. 7

MAP 1 - LOCATION OF KNIGHTSTOWN....................................................................................................... 7

MAP 2 - PLACEMENT OF KNIGHTSTOWN ON US 40 ................................................................................. 7

DEFINITION OF PLANNING AREA..................................................................................................................... 8

MAP 3 - CHARLES A. BEARD MEMORIAL SCHOOL AREA ......................................................................... 8

GOALS OF THE PLAN ....................................................................................................................................... 8

THE PARK BOARD.............................................................................................................................................. 9

THE PARK DEPARTMENT - PARK OFFICE...................................................................................................... 9

MISSION OF THE KNIGHTSTOWN PARK BOARD .......................................................................................... 10

SCENES FROM THE PARK................................................................................................................................ 10

PHOTO 1 - PARK COLLAGE (PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BANNER, KNIGHTSTOWN) ....................... 10

KNIGHTSTOWN PARK BOARD VISION AND GOALS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS .................................. 11

STAFF................................................................................................................................................................... 11

VOLUNTEERS..................................................................................................................................................... 11

PHOTO 2 - JUBILEE DAYS (COURTESY OF THE BANNER, KNIGHTSTOWN) ......................................... 12

PHOTO 3 - HOOSIER FALL FEST (COURTESY OF THE BANNER, KNIGHTSTOWN) .............................. 12

PHOTO 4 - AMER. LEGION THANKSGIVING (COURTESY OF THE BANNER, KNIGHTSTOWN) ............ 13

PHOTO 5 - HOOSIER GYM (COURTESY OF THE BANNER, KNIGHTSTOWN) ......................................... 13

PHOTO 6 - SPOOKAPALOOZA CONTEST (COURTESY OF THE BANNER, KNIGHTSTOWN).................. 13

SWIMMING POOL ............................................................................................................................................... 14

FRIENDS OF KNIGHTSTOWN PARKS............................................................................................................... 14

FACILITY INVENTORY......................................................................................................................................... 15

MAP 4 - BOUNDARY AND FEATURES OF SUNSET PARK.......................................................................... 15

MAP 5 - PARK ELEVATION ............................................................................................................................ 15

CURRENT PROGRAMS...................................................................................................................................... 16

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 PHOTO 7 - SPORTS PROGRAMS AT ELEMENTARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS ........................... 16

BUDGET............................................................................................................................................................... 16

OTHER RECREATION PROVIDERS IN THE REGION ..................................................................................... 17

PHOTO 8 - BOONDOCKS FARMS GREASED PIG CONTEST .................................................................... 17

NATURAL FEATURES AND LANDSCAPES...................................................................................................... 17

TOPOGRAPHY..................................................................................................................................................... 18

GEOLOGY/SOILS................................................................................................................................................ 18

MAP 6 - BEDROCK GEOLOGY ..................................................................................................................... 18

MAP 7 - KNIGHTSTOWN'S GEOLOGIC AGE ................................................................................................ 19

FOREST RESOURCES........................................................................................................................................ 19

MAP 8 - SUNSET PARK TREE CANOPY........................................................................................................ 19

WATER RESOURCES......................................................................................................................................... 19

MAP 9 - BLUE RIVER, MONTGOMERY CREEK AND WETLANDS, PROPOSED TRAIL ............................ 19

MAP 10 - HYDROGEOLOGY ......................................................................................................................... 20

MAP 11 - ECONOMIC GEOLOGY-PETROLEUM .......................................................................................... 20

TRANSPORTATION LINKS ................................................................................................................................ 20

INDUSTRY IN KNIGHTSTOWN .......................................................................................................................... 21

PHOTO 9 - CELEBRATION ON MAIN STREET 1860's ................................................................................. 21

PHOTO 10 - SAVE THE CHILDRENS’ HOME RALLY 2009 .......................................................................... 21

KNIGHTSTOWN HISTORY AND THE NATIONAL ROAD.................................................................................. 22

PHOTO 11 - KNIGHTSTOWN MAIN STREET AROUND 1860....................................................................... 23

FIGURE 1 - HISTORIC MARKER US 40 ........................................................................................................ 23

PHOTO 12 - THE 1877 KNIGHTSTOWN ACADEMY..................................................................................... 24

PHOTO 13 - MAUDE & GEORGE RISK AND SON MARION......................................................................... 25

PHOTO 12 - COLLAGE HISTORIC KNIGHTSTOWN INC. ............................................................................ 26

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS ................................................................................................................ 27

TABLE 1 - ECONOMICS ................................................................................................................................. 27

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CHANGES IN AUTO MANUFACTURING FROM 1998-2008 ............................................................................ 27

NUMBER MANUFACTURING EMPLOYEE BY COUNTY 1967 ........................................................................ 29

PATTERNS OF HENRY COUNTY RESIDENTS COMMUTING 1997................................................................. 30

HENRY COUNTY, INDIANA MANUFACTURING ............................................................................................... 30

TABLE 2 - HOUSING........................................................................................................................................ 31

EDUCATION ........................................................................................................................................................ 31

TABLE 3 - POPULATION ................................................................................................................................ 31

TABLE 4 - POPULATION AGE ........................................................................................................................ 31

COUNTY HEALTH ISSUES................................................................................................................................. 32

SOCIOECONOMIC SUMMARY............................................................................................................................ 32

CURRENT AND PROPOSED ACCESSIBILITY.................................................................................................. 34

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.................................................................................................................................... 34

PHOTO 13 - NATIONAL ROAD HERITAGE TRAIL ONE MILE FROM KNIGHTSTOWN............................... 35

PARK PLANNING ............................................................................................................................................... 36

METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................................................. 36

INVENTORY OF LAND, PARK, AND RECREATION VENUES ......................................................................... 37

TABLE 5 - STATE TRENDS IN RECREATION 1979-2005 ............................................................................. 37

LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS) ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................. 37

TABLE 6 - PARK LOS BENCHMARKS ........................................................................................................... 38

MAP 10 - INDIANA COUNTY LOS BENCHMARK MAP ................................................................................ 38

MAP 11 - REGIONAL LOS BENCHMARKS ................................................................................................... 39

ISSUE ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS AND METHOD ............................................................................................ 40

COMMUNITY SURVEY ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................... 40

ISSUES RAISED BY SURVEY............................................................................................................................. 43

KNIGHTSTOWN PARK BOARD ACTION PLAN 2011-2015.............................................................................. 44

APPENDIX............................................................................................................................................................ ii

PHOTO 14 - BLUE RIVER FLOOD PLAIN IN KNIGHTSTOWN .................................................................... ii

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 PHOTO 15 - ACCESS TO TRAIL NEAR BLUE RIVER IN KNIGHTSTOWN ................................................. ii

HOOSIER FALL FESTIVAL SIGN-IN SHEET - INTEREST IN FRIENDS OF THE PARK................................. iii

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FOP INCORPORATED.................................................................................................. iv

NOTIFICATION OF MEETING TO DISCUSS FORMING FRIENDS OF THE PARK......................................... iv

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, THE BANNER, OCTOBER 20, 2010...................................................................... v

SIGN-IN SHEET, PUBLIC MEETING, NOVEMBER 10, 2010 ............................................................................ vii

FIRST PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA................................................................................................................... viii

PUBLIC MEETING/FRIENDS OF THE PARK - PHASE 1, NOV. 17, 2010 ....................................................... ix

AGENDA:PUBLIC MEETING FOR FIVE YEAR PARK PLAN & FRIENDS OF THE PARK ............................ x

FRIENDS OF PARK DONOR LETTER .............................................................................................................. xi

SUNSET PARK PUBLIC SURVEY ..................................................................................................................... xii

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES....................................................................................................................... a

ORAL HISTORY................................................................................................................................................... a

WEBSITES........................................................................................................................................................... b

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Introduction

This is the Knightstown Indiana Parks and Recreation Board's Five-Year Master Plan. Knightstown is a town of
1,900 situated on the southwestern side of Henry County, which is in the second tier of counties from Marion
County (see map below). It is halfway between Indianapolis and the Ohio state line, proudly situated on US 40,
The National Road; it is transverse to the historic Big Blue River on the east side and by the proposed National
Road Heritage trail on the south. The founders tied their future to the promise of the proposed road when they plat-
ted the town in 1827, after the route was announced. The leap of faith paid off handsomely for over 150 years. The
town was literally on the nineteenth and early twentieth century information highway. Its growth and industry
reflects the innovation, technology, and politics of the day. As the road became somewhat neglected in the last
third of the twentieth century so did the region. Now with the dawn of the twenty first century the residents are
renewing their connection with the road as they strive to re-invent themselves to once again grow and shine with
new opportunities ahead.

Map 1 - Location of Knightstown

KNIGHTSTOWN
US HWY 40 (NATIONAL RD)

Map 2 - Placement of Knightstown on US 40

Sunset Park is on the west side with the lake boundary shown in green, the new high school is the series of red
squares to the west of
the park, the location
of planned National
Road HertiageTrail is
the green diagonal
line. On the east side
of the map, the ligt
blue double line is
Blue River, midway up
the map on the right
the words Old National
denote a section of the
orginal National Road
close to the trail.

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Definition of Planning Area

The planning area for the Knightstown Sunset Park is somewhat smaller than the service area. Knightstown is the
site of one of the Elementary Schools, the Intermediate school and the High school, as well as the Administrative
office for the Charles A. Beard Consolidated School System. The school system includes three elementary schools
serving the children of Knightstown as well as Kennard, Shirley (east of Main St.), Carthage and Greensboro (see
map below).

Map 3 - Charles A. Beard Memorial School Corporation Area

The school service area includes

the towns, plus surrounding rural
areas covering approximately an
eight-mile radius. The park service
area therefore encompasses the
school district, which includes
three townships outlined in the
map, and in one case crosses a
county line (orange). Therefore,
the service area is larger than the
city taxable area that supports the
park. Knightstown Parks and
Recreation Board is committed to
offer services and facilities to any-
one regardless of resident status,
ability to pay or physical/mental
ability.

Goals of the Plan

The Knightstown Park Board has agreed upon the following goals for the 5-Year Parks and Recreation Plan.

z Gather feedback and input for the plan from as diverse a group of people as possible.

z Use national recreation standards and goals, and a local needs analysis as the basis
for the development of new priorities for the town Park.

z Develop a dynamic plan that will engage community excitement and support for the
park and provide guidance for growth for the next five years.

z Present the plan to and gain acceptance from the residents of Knightstown.

z Develop and nurture "Friends of the Park," a fundraising organization that will involve
more residents in the growth and development of Sunset Park.

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 z Submit the Plan to The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Outdoor Recreation, fol-
lowing the timeline requiring a draft plan by January 15 and a final plan by April 15, 2011.

z Receive approval from IDNR for eligibility for application for Land and Water Conservation fund (LWCF)

grant programs.

z Use the plan as a springboard for other grant programs and corporate donations.

The Park Board

The Park Board was first created in 1955 in response to a community desire to build a public swimming pool in
the park. The Knightstown Park Board has a four-member board that serves staggered four year terms. The mem-
bers of the Knightstown Park Board are:

President - Malachy O Connor

26 S Washington St.
Knightstown, In. 46148
(317) 710-8010 Information on projects/plan
mmoc0508@hotmail.com

Vice President - Bruce Brown

26 S Washington St.
Knightstown, In. 46148
(765) 345-5977
Beb35Brown@yahoo.com

Secretary - Nicole Flynn

26 S Washington St.
Knightstown, In. 46148
nmflynn814@yahoo.com

Mike Hall
26 S Washington St.
Knightstown, In. 46148
(765) 345-5977
mhall345@hotmail.com

The Park Department - Park Office

Knightstown does not have a separate Department of Parks and Recreation. The city employees and Board mem-
bers handle park issues. The main office for the Knightstown Park Board is the Knightstown City Hall Office, locat-
ed at 26 S. Washington Street, Knightstown, IN 46148, phone (765) 345-5977. The Utility Office handles Shelter
House Rental.

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Mission of the Park Board

The Mission of the Knightstown Park Board is: "To provide an exciting and meaningful park and recreation expe-
rience to all of the members of the greater Knightstown community, creating a better quality of life, creating a
renewed community spirit and access to safe, healthy outdoor play and relaxation for all ages and abilities.”

Photo 1 - Park Collage (Photos Courtesy of The Banner, Knightstown)

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Knightstown Park Board Vision and Goals for the Next Five Years

z Knightstown Park Board will offer services appropriate to the size and growth of the community.

z Knightstown Park Board will offer new opportunities for exercise and wellness activities especially those
aimed at fitness and education about the diabetic and obesity epidemics for all ages and abilities, at afford-
able rates or free of charge.

z Knightstown Park Board will foster the emergence of the Park as a central part of the community's daily
life through growth of services for all ages and abilities and through the introduction of new park volunteer
activities and fundraising, as a vehicle for increasing community interaction and size of the volunteer pool.

z Knightstown Park Board will plan services with an eye toward creating a town "brand" or identity that
will attract new groups of people to the town therefore creating a positive effect on the town's small bus-
ness growth and overall economic development.

Staff

Knightstown does not have a separate Parks Department. The maintenance for the park grounds is provided by:

z City employee, Bruce Brown, Phone (765) 345-5977

z Works Manager, Mel Matlock, Phone (765) 345-5977

z Nicole Flynn-Cleans the Shelter House

Volunteers

Knightstown has a long history of enthusiastic volunteer activity thru Civic, Service and Professional Organizations
as well as Church and individual volunteers.

Unfortunately, factory closings in the area over the last three decades have forced residents with ties to the com-
munity that go back several generations to either move away from the area or to take jobs that require long com-
mutes therefore placing limits on free time. This economic change has affected the town's population count reduc-
ing the pool from which to find volunteers. As the long-time residents leave, and time constraints increase, partic-
ipation in various clubs and churches have declined, mirroring a decline in such clubs nationally.

One of the challenges has been the integration of new residents into the volunteer programs. New residents with
children in school tend to meet people and join activities easier than those without children. Therefore, there are
still volunteers that coach various sports teams and assist in maintaining the park grounds.

Even though the pool of available volunteers is smaller, the residents keep the spirit of robust public service alive.

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Many of the programs and events that come under the umbrella of the Parks Department in larger towns are pro-
vided for the citizens of Knightstown through organizational partnerships and volunteer activities. Therefore, the
town has an array of sports programs, festivals, special events held in the park, on the square, and other loca-
tions, maintained by volunteers and non-profits.

The Optimist Club offers an outstanding sports program for boys and girls of all ages (as seen previously in Photo
1, The Park Collage). The events take place at the park, the Hoosier Gym, and the school sports fields. This pro-
gram, which has existed for many years, continues to provide an opportunity for the children of the area to learn
teamwork, sportsmanship, the joy of hard work and leadership. They also learn first hand the positive lifelong
impact of a citizen taking their time and energy to give back to the community.

The Lions Club also has a long history of service to the park. During the 1950's and early 1960's they created and
administered a skating rink in the park. The "rink" was the place to be and be seen by the area's teens. It was a
safe place for parents to allow their teens to congregate knowing that they would be chaperoned by the Lion's
Club. It was also a place for the students from different towns and rural areas of the newly consolidated school to
socialize outside of school to form new and lasting friendships.

Recently the Lions Club voted to take responsibility of the bathrooms in the lower Shelter House, which were men-
tioned as a priority by many residents who completed the Sunset Park Survey. Therefore, they continue to offer
much needed support to the park today.

Photo 2 and 3 - Jubilee days, Hoosier Fall Fest (Photos Courtesy of The Banner, Knightstown)

The Chamber of Commerce supports

the community with several recreation
related projects.

For decades, the Chamber has spon-

sored the main summer fair, Jubilee
Days, (photo of merry-go-round, left).
They also have begun a new fall
event, Hoosier Fall Fest (see Spider
man, left).

The Chamber supports other organi-

zations' events by paying the electrici-
ty for events held on the town Square.
The Chamber’s fish wagon, located on
the square, supports fundraising for
organizations who rent it during the
spring, summer, and fall.

They have also donated the main

street Christmas lights for years.

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Photo 4 - American Legion Post 152 (Photo Courtesy of The Banner, Knightstown)
The American Legion Post 152 in Knightstown
also sponsors two sports teams as part of their
mission. Legion members, along with the help of
the Make A Difference Inc. group, created the
Veterans' Memorial Garden of Memories, located
on the east side of the Town Square that draws
hundreds of visitors a year. The post offers lunch
and dinner several days a week. They also host
dinners and dances on various holidays, such as
Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day.

Photo 5 - The Historic Hoosier Gym (Photo Courtesy of The Banner, Knightstown)

The Historic Hoosier Gym Inc. is a non-

profit organization that maintains the gym-
nasium built in the 1930s adjacent to the
high school, built during the 1800's. The
gym gained fame when it was chosen as
the home gym of the Hickory Huskers in
the 1985 movie Hoosiers. The gym is
used extensively by the community. It is
open to walkers in the morning, a site for
Head start, they offer after school pro-
grams and they are the location for many
Optimist sports programs. They offer
events during festivals and other occa-
sions. They also stage Indiana all-star
basketball exhibition games.

Photo 6 - Spookapalooza costume contest winners (Photo Courtesy of The Banner, Knightstown)

Downtown Knightstown, a Main Street Indiana proj-

ect, sponsors Spookapalooza Trunk 'R Treat, an
afternoon event, around the Square.

The participants are invited to decorate the trunks of

their cars and hand out candy in a well-lighted envi-
ronment.

In association with Spookapalooza, the Optimist

Club hosts a costume contest for children and pets.

The 2010 winners are pictured in the gazebo on the

Square.

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Swimming Pool

In the early fifties, many residents decided the town needed a swimming pool. As the word spread the project
gained momentum. Many current residents were parents with young children at the time and were instrumental
in fundraising for the pool. There were various events held by all of the clubs and churches in town. There was
one memorable talent show, held at what is now the Hoosier Gym, mentioned with smiles and laughter by sever-
al people who attended. The whole town became involved in the project. Children collected money; there were
bake sales and festivals.

When the money was raised, the Knightstown town board gave official permission to the Swimming Pool
Association for a new public pool to be constructed at Sunset Park. The pool was proudly opened in 1957. The
pool was a central part of the children's summer from the opening until its demise two years ago. For many years,
the school offered swimming as summer school credit for physical education. The class was five mornings a week
and it was very popular. The afternoons were open to all and a few evenings a week, the adults were offered child-
free relaxing swim time.

This past summer the town swimming pool located on the upper level of the grounds was dug up due to rising cost
of repairs. The pool was last repaired with donations from private donors a few years ago but the repairs lasted
only a few years. After much discussion, the decision was reached that the pool needed to be replaced rather than
repaired which triggered the Board's decision to complete the process of their first five -year park plan. The deci-
sion to end the pool was sad. The pool is missed; people who filled out the Sunset Park Survey stated they want
a new pool. Some are stepping up to ask how they can help; once again, the momentum is beginning to grow.

Friends of Knightstown Parks

The Park Board began organizing a new organization, Friends of Sunset Park, during the summer quarter of 2010.
The first step was canvassing residents during a town event and passing out a sign up sheets to all who expressed
interest (See Appendix ii).

In the meantime, the Park Board incorporated the Friends of Sunset Park. They held two preliminary meetings
advertised in the local newspaper the, Knightstown Banner, which had low attendance (See Appendix iii & iv). After
assessing results, they decided to submit a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, The Banner, explaining the
purpose and goals of the five-year park plan, with the announcement of the public meeting to hear resident's
dreams for the park and to explain how the Friends of the Knightstown Park fit into the plan. (See Appendix pg. v)
This approach proved successful. A public meeting to discuss the park plan and gain resident ideas was held on
November 10, 2010. (See Appendix vi & vii)

The Friends of Knightstown Park meeting was held on November 17, 2010. The people who had signed the inter-
est sheet were called and invited and the attendance was good. (See Appendix ii, ix, & viii). It was exciting and
somewhat rollicking as enthusiasm mounted for park projects and fundraising ideas. This was most evident when
the Park Board President suggested that the next meeting be held after the holidays and the participants insisted
on a December meeting to elect officers. Therefore, at this time, a Board has been formed and officers are elect-
ed, bylaws and constitution have been written and accepted. Plans are being discussed on how to link up with
other town organizations. (See Appendix x)

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Friends of Knightstown Parks have already collected $21,000 toward a splash park and have set a goal of
$100,000. They have plans to continue solicitation from all citizens in hopes of building this through "a hometown
project" for "outdoor life in the park.

Facility Inventory

Knightstown has one park, officially named Sunset Park. It is located on the west side of town one block south of
State Road 40 (the National Highway) on land adjacent to the new Knightstown Community High School.

Map 4 - Boundary and Features of Sunset Park

The park has an upper flat entrance with a

steep hill leading to the lower, level (see
Map 4) where the Babe Ruth field, play
ground equipment, picnic area with shelter
and a small lake for fishing are located.

Montgomery Creek transverses the park

and feeds the lake located in the middle of
the park's lower level. Beyond the lake are
more playing fields and wooded areas that
end close to the old railroad track.

The entrance on the upper level is flat with

the limestone and wood shelter house, serv-
ing as the welcoming centerpiece. It is seen
in the title page photo of this document, as it
appeared when it was built in 1945. Until
recently, the pool was to the left of the
Shelter House, upon entering the park.

Map 5 - Park Elevation

Two of the athletic fields are looked after by the Optimist Club. The Babe Ruth little league field and the play-
ground equipment is the responsibility of the Park Board. Due to smaller tax revenues and rising costs especial-
ly of pool repairs, the park is in need of updating and renovation. The park venues also tend to appeal to specif-
ic age groups and abilities. Expanding the vision of what a park is and the addition of new park locations and ven-
ues with universal design elements will increase the age and abilities range of people attracted to the park there-

15
fore increasing the park's profile in the com-
munity and increasing interaction between
residents that may be somewhat marginalized
at this time. Furthermore, linking the park to
other state recreation development and water
conservation projects along with the further
development of historic landmarks and agri-
business will make Knightstown a destination
location. This will increase the groups who are
attracted to Knightstown for events, daytrips
or as a great place to live. Adding these
amenities along with Knightstown's favorable
location on major highways and I-70, will
serve the town well by creating an environ-
ment that will attract light industry and new
small business to serve new service types.

Current Programs

Knightstown Park along with several community partners including the CAB school and the Optimist Club offer an
array of sports programs for the children of all ages. A new exercise and fitness program for adults is located in
the shelter house. Area residents of all ages walk along the park alley and around the lake and several "runs" are
scheduled during the year. The shelter house is rented to groups and families during most weekends of the year.

Photo 7 - Community Sports Programs at Elementary and Intermediate Schools

16
Budget

The Knightstown Park Board has experienced budget decreases for the last several years due to the reduced tax
revenues resulting from permanent loss of manufacturing and secondary jobs in Henry, Madison and Delaware
counties. Most Knightstown residents historically worked for Chrysler in New Castle, now gone, or GM or Remy in
Anderson, now closing the last plant or Borg Warner or Ford in Muncie, now gone. As of November 2010 Henry
County's unemployment rate was listed on the Indiana State data site as 11.5 % vs. the State level of 9.4%. The
resulting decrease in money available for the Park and the cost of pool repairs are the main factor preventing the
addition of and renovation of park services and venues.

Other Recreation Providers in the Region

z Charles A. Beard Memorial School Corporation

‡ High School- Planned sports complex adjacent to the park

‡ Intermediate School -Football, baseball, track and field

‡ Elementary School- soccer and touch football fields

z Boondocks Farm - agra-tourism, corn maze, etc. and organic farm

Photo 8 - Boondocks Farms’ Country Fest Greased Pig Contest

Photos
Courtesy of
The Banner,
Knightstown

z New Castle YMCA - full service gym, indoor pool, basketball courts, sports trainers, childcare,
wellness education, massage (15 miles north)

z CKS Railroad - scenic ride from Knightstown to Carthage

z Blue River Conservancy - nonprofit group that works to improve the river

17
 z Go-cart racing at New Castle Motorsports (SR 3 and I-70)

z Hoosier Gym - Hoosier All-Star Classic Basketball, Optimist Club youth basketball

z Public Pool - New Castle (15 miles away)

z National Road Heritage trail - one mile stretch in Raysville, across the Blue River
bridge from Knightstown

z Royal Highlands Golf Course (less than one mile north of Knightstown)

z Splash pad - Middletown (20 miles away)

z Mount Summit Lake State Park, 25 miles away at SR 3 and SR 36

z Mount Lawn Motor Speedway-NASCAR racing (5 miles north)

z Birth place of Wilber Wright

z Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame-New Castle

Natural Features and Landscapes

Topography - The topography of the Knightstown Park consists of two areas connected by a steep hill. The
entrance is on the street level and is flat, the playing fields and the lake are down the hill in a valley that includes
the flood plain for Montgomery creek, which feeds the lake, and a forested area with gently rolling hills. The ele-
vation for the county varies from 880'-1190' above sea level with the lowest elevation occurring a short distance
from the park where Big Blue River flows out of the county. The flat areas of the park are ideal for team sports,
playground equipment, and the rolling hills and trees are good for walking paths and winter sports.

Geology / Soils

The geology of Knightstown is based in the "glacier till plain" and

is mostly flat with gently rolling hills with the exception of the Map 6 - Bedrock Geology
areas of greater elevation contained in the Big Blue River and
Montgomery creek sluices. Both flood plains contain silty clay
loams. The clay thickness for the Knightstown area is 50'-100'
and the sand thickness points for Knightstown and the park are
low or moderate, varying from 0-20'.

The Shrink swell characteristics are moderate to low. Bedrock

elevation is 800'-1000' and the majority of the area is Silurian
(Map 6 Magenta area) with Devonian bedrock west of town (Map
6 Lavender area).

18
Map 7 - Knightstown's Geologic Age

The Geologic Age is mostly Wisconsinan

(Map 7 Brown area)- with the exception of an
area of Holocene Map 7 -yellow).

Forest Resources

Map 8 - Sunset Park Tree Canopy

The west and south sides of Sunset Park are wooded as well as
the area surrounding the lake.

The streets of Knightstown are lined with hardwoods, maples, oaks,

walnuts and sycamores to name a few. The town contains a gracious
plenty of beautiful historical houses and buildings with landscaped
grounds complete with evergreens, historical lilacs, persimmons and
paw-paws. Springtime blooms from the pear, cherry and apple blos-
soms fill the air.

Knightstown is looking into resources to help them protect their trees

and planning to plant new trees for the future.

Water Resources

Map 9 - Blue River, Montgomery Creek and wetlands, proposed trail

Blue River flows through the east side of town crossing US Highway
40 (The National Road), close to the future National Road Walking
Path, on the edge of the business district with an area accessible from
the city sidewalk. (see Map 9). This area of the river is used by water
enthusiasts for kayaking, canoeing and hiking. Montgomery Creek
crosses under Main St. (US 40) at the west end of downtown, enters
the park, and crosses the future National Road Walking Path on the
south side of town.

The park also has a lake used for fishing. All three water sources are
shown left in Map 9, with their associated wetlands shown in magen-
ta and green.

19
The Blue River and Montgomery Creek flood plains are shown (Map 9 -magenta). Both are classified as
impaired at this time (Map 7-Turquoise line) though both are being monitored by the state and the Blue River
Conservancy is working to educate the public of the value of the historic river. They are also raising awareness
and actively working to clean up the river.

Map 10 - Hydrogeology

The bedrock aquifer type is carbonate aquifer (grey

area -entire map).

The unconsolidated aquifer type is discontinuous sand

and gravel (black diagonal lines), and surficial sand
and gravel aquifer (yellow diagonal lines).

The bedrock geology elevation is 800' to 1000' and the

water well level in the area varies from 100-200 feet.

Map 11 - Economic Geology - Petroleum

The region has both oil and natural gas (salmon color) and
there are multiple gas wells in the area (red dots).

The wells fueled the gas boom of the nineteenth century

and helped establish the area as an industrial center dur-
ing the last half of the nineteenth century and the first half
of the twentieth century.

Many families still use there own natural gas wells for heat
and cooking.

This issue may reemerge in the twenty-first century.

Transportation Links
Knightstown is situated on US 40 (the Historic National Road) halfway between Indianapolis and the Ohio State
line. SR 109 dead-ends into US 40 on the west side of downtown one block east of the park. The Interstate 70
entrance is located 2.5 miles north of town on SR 109, which makes a trip to Indianapolis thirty to forty-five
minutes. SR 3 is ten miles east of town on US 40. Most locals use the country roads and city streets for daily
use and many people now commute to Indianapolis, Greenfield, or Richmond for jobs. Of the two former rail-

20
oad lines, only 10 miles of one line is still in operation as a tourist attraction The CKS Railroad runs from
Knightstown down through Carthage, a small town south of Knightstown. CKS operates every weekend from
May to October.

Industry in Knightstown

The town lost its biggest, oldest, and much beloved employer last year with the state-mandated shutdown of
the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children's Home, started as a school and home for children of veterans from
the Civil war who were orphaned or did not have a healthy home.

Photo 9 - Celebration in 1860's Photo 9 is believed to show either the end of the Civil
Knightstown on Main Street War or the Opening of the Home. Many of the resi-
dents of the Home stayed in the area to raise their
families.

In 2009, the residents of the town rallied and fought

hard to help save the Home, including rallies at the
State Capital, to no avail.

The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the entire

region. This was not just a loss of an institution but a
loss of a mission of the heart that the entire area
embraced.

Photo 10 - Citizens on the way

to the Statehouse to Rally for
the Solders and Sailors Home

The school system is now the largest employer. Other than government jobs, industry and business in
Knightstown is currently centered on small businesses owned by individuals. The businesses are primarily
service-related, professional, medical, or technical in nature.

A majority of residents commute to other towns and cities for work

The prosperity that was prevalent in the area during the 30 years following World War ll has slowly dwindled
away along with the union manufacturing jobs that made the prosperity possible. However, the spirit of the res-
idents has not disappeared.

21
Knightstown History and the National Road

One of the area's earliest settlers was Waitsel Carey who settled there in 1825, a few years after the 1818
treaty was signed with the Delaware Indians. When Carey learned that, the proposed National Road was going
to traverse his land he immediately platted sites for a town. Knightstown was a town, where a wide main street,
anchored by a beautiful town square, was excitedly planned to be part of the drama of the day, the migration
of the population westward. Cary was reported to be in favor of naming the town after Johnathon Knight, the
chief surveyor of the National Road project.

Growth was slow at first. A history of Knightstown written in 1884 includes this 1839 editorial:

"Our Town"

"What beauties are presented in the town? Alas! They are few, the site is level and
extended; the streets are wide, but how they look - un-shaded, muddy, unpaved,
and without sidewalks. The public square is in part a mud hole, strewed with wood
and chips and fragments of old timber; the market house until recently a hog shel-
ter, the alleys are blocked with heaps of offal……. "The houses are, many of them
unsightly, being low, ill-shaped and some of them not painted at all. Here and there
is a good looking building with handsome shade around, but too many are entire-
ly out of taste. This however is incidental to all new towns, that spring up in the
West, and arises from poverty of the first settlers and the unskillfulness of artists.
Our town surpasses many others in appearance of its buildings already and is grad-
ually improving. As the wealth of its citizens increases, which will be proportionate
to the growth of the country around, mean homes will give place to better ones.
The unfinished state of the National Road is a great hindrance to the improvement
of this town. Its speedy completion would give the place a new start, and encour-
age the citizens to bestow pains upon the buildings and streets; but they need not
put off everything 'till our fickle-minded and dilatory government shall finish the
road! It is in their power to improve now. Small houses may be made to look neat.
There are a few examples of such scattered through the village."

The 1884 historian went on to say:

Note how frank were those editors in ye olden days, yet the beauty of the present
public parks. The shade of the present tree lined avenues, and other manmade
beauties in evidence in the Knightstown of today, stand out as a comparison most
striking, and are testimony to the spirit of those who followed this account, and who
corrected the condition thus reported, and as to the alley ways, many of them
today, well lined with lilac bushes, often 8 to 12 feet high, likewise attest a most
tremendous change. Still the old description is most valuable in showing the work
accomplished by the pioneers who followed those early days.

During the 1840's the section of the road that included Knightstown was completed. As anticipated, it did bring
about enormous growth in population and new industry Benjamin S Parker who was born in 1833, a Henry
County poet, and former editor of the Knightstown Banner wrote:

22
 "A flood-tide of emigration poured along the great highway from June to November,
such as the world seldom saw upon a single line before the modern railroad era.
With the tinkling of bells, the rumbling of the wheels, the noise of the animals and
the clatter of the people, as they went forever forward, the little boy who had gone
down to the road from his lonesome home in the woods was naturally captivated
and carried away into the great, active world that he had not before dreamed of"

Therefore, we see that from the earliest days the residents of Knightstown knew that their livelihood was tied
to the road. They anticipated that the completion of the road would revitalize the town. The Editor in 1839 used
the device to spur on disillusioned residents to continue striving for improvements while they waited for the
road, grumbling in taverns about the useless government that was so slow. When the road finally arrived with
it came the much needed energy boost for the area's economy. As Knightstown' economy grew, wealth slow-
ly accumulated. Large houses and new brick business buildings began to replace the log and mean wooden
dwellings.

Photo 11 - Knightstown Main Street around 1860s (Courtesy Historic Knightstown Inc.)

Notice in Photo 11 the gracious hous-

es along Main Street (the National
Road) surrounded by log sidewalks.
The telegraph arrived in Knightstown
earlier than in surrounding towns
along with other new technologies of
the day. The residents saw them-
selves as part of the important conver-
sations of the day.

The women of the area were not content to stand on the sidelines. The
area was settled by many Quakers, who were passionate about the poli-
tics of the day. As seen today on the state markers found on US Highway
40 in Dublin, Indiana (see Figure 1), Women of the Greensboro meeting,
a town in the CAB School Corporation, and others that attended their
Woman's Rights Convention of 1851, had no problem articulating what
they deserved and how they saw their place in the world.

Many area residents were also abolitionists and part of the Underground
Railroad. They built houses, which still survive today, with false walls and
employed other tricks to hide runaway slaves. Knightstown and the sur-
rounding area were in the thick of the action and the future was bright.

Figure 1 - Historic Marker on US 40

23
Manufacturing flourished from the mid-nineteenth century until the middle of the twentieth century, including
a short-lived car manufacturing plant that produced the Columbia at the dawn of the twentieth century.

Knightstown was the home of the Federal Union, the first newspaper established in Henry County in 1831,
several competitors sprang up over the next few years changing names and owners over the years until the
Knightstown Banner was the lone survivor. The Banner continues to serve the town today with an award win-
ning paper.

Several mills, blacksmiths, and wheelwrights gave way to a fence factory, a casket factory, auto shops,
machine shops and canning factories employed many of the residents. As the town grew after the National
Road was completed, innovative business people had need for more investment resources so, in 1865, a
local a businessman opened the First National Bank of Knightstown, now known as Ameriana Bank. A few
years later in 1905, a few businessmen opened a second bank, the Citizens National Bank. Both banks are
still in operation.

Because the town was located on the National Road, it was also blessed by two railroads during the middle
1860's. The late 1890's brought the Interurban (electric trolley car line) which served the town until the end
of World War II.

When natural gas was discovered in the region in the late nineteenth century, the resulting gas boom made
many people rich and industry grew, including glass and canning factories, powered by the new cheap
source of power. Knightstown added gas lines so residents could enjoy gaslights and better home heating.

By 1884, the townspeople felt in need of a history as many of the earlier settlers were passing away. This
then, was the Knightstown that the historian sourced earlier, who boasted of “tree-lined avenues and other
man made beauties, and lilac bushes often 8-12 feet high.”

Photo 12 - the 1877 Knightstown Academy (Courtesy Historic Knightstown Inc.)

The people of Knightstown were

as sophisticated and educated
as any Easterner was. They
were proud of their accomplish-
ments. They built a beautiful
academy and to show their rev-
erence of knowledge, the build-
ing was topped with a telescope
and globe. The Academy served
as the local school for decades.
Following the building of new
schools in the mid-twentieth
century, the building was set to
be demolished. Local residents rallied to save it and had it declared a historical landmark. Today, the
Academy still stands and has been converted into apartments.

24
Then came the addition of telephone, telegraph services by 1897, and the early sewer system was complet-
ed by 1898. Many wealthy executives built beautiful homes in Knightstown between the end of the Civil War
and the 1910's. Today, the town’s streets are lined with these unique and historical homes.

As the necessities were satisfied, the residents turned their sights to relaxation. It was time for a park. As late
as 1906, the town plat book shows the land that would be the future Knightstown Park was undeveloped.
Oddly enough, city records do not document the opening of the park. Thanks to Barbara Meade of
Knightstown, we now know how, and approximately when, the park was opened.

Mrs. Meade states that sometime

Photo 13 - Maude & George Risk
and their son, Marion
(Courtesy Historic Knightstown Inc.)
between 1906 and 1913, the town con-
ducted a contest to name the park. Her
Great Aunt, Maude Lemay Risk, won the
contest with her entry of “Sunset Park.”
Maude Risk was a young married woman
then with small children. Her husband,
George Risk owned a seed mill south of
town and was caretaker of Knightstown
Cemetery. They are seen in photo 13
around the time Maude won the contest.
Both were very active in city affairs and
believed strongly in public service.
George died in the 1930's. A few years
later, Maude remarried Asa (Bert) James,
who was well-known as the "caller" at
area square dances for many years.

From the time that the route for the National Road was announced in the 1820's until the late 1960's,
Knightstown benefited enormously from the tourism, associated business, industry, and commerce that was
created by the famous road.

By 1972, a writer, Richard P. Ratcliff, observed in the new county history, commissioned upon the county's
sesquicentennial, that …"the county's prosperity is largely due to the amount of manufacturing that takes
place in New Castle and in the surrounding towns."

Ratcliff then listed some of the larger manufacturers in operation at the time that included Chrysler
Corporation, Diamond Container Division of Diamond National Corporation, Ingersoll Steel Division of Borg
Warner Corporation. New Castle Products Division of American Standard, Perfect Circle Division of Dana
Corporation, World Besto's Division of Firestone plus GM and Delco Remy Corporation in Anderson.

Four years later, as the first energy crisis ravaged the economy, these corporations began job cutting that
was accelerated in the 1990's with the advent of free trade agreements with foreign countries and the result-

25
ing outsourcing of jobs that had existed in the Midwest for decades. Today, all of the corporations listed are
gone from the area. In the same publication, the Mr. Ratcliff sagely stated:

"... no one is guite sure what the future will be for the National Road or the towns
and villages along its path. For the National Road, Indiana's Main Street has
become a side street because of a broad new superhighway called Interstate 70."

The observation that the region was on the cusp of change proved to be true. The opening of I-70 ushered
in vast cultural and socio-economic changes. Almost overnight Knightstown was no longer part of the "great
active world" provided by the National Road pilgrims, as described by a poet in the middle 1800's, which had
lasted until the early 1970's. Within months the hotel, small motels, and the restaurants that depended on
tourist trade started to struggle. People of the region began to think of their relationship with Indianapolis in
subtly different ways. Instead of a special trip to see a musical or the department store windows at Christmas
time, a trip to shop or see a movie and go to dinner was a mere half hour away, something that could be done
weekly or more. Gradually, the retail businesses along Main Street and circling the Town Square, some of
which had been in operation since the 1860's, began to close with no new business to take their place.

After several years, a new movement took

place in Knightstown - the awareness that the
Photo 14 - Collage Historic Knightstown Inc.
best of the past was endangered of being lost.
The movement coalesced when the demolition
of the Knightstown Academy, built in 1876, was
discussed.

A group of citizens came together and created

Historic Knightstown Inc. (HKI), which success-
fully raised the money to save the building and
today it is a beautiful place to live.

HKI also helped document the history of many

of the beautiful century-old homes and over the
years they have collected a treasury of photos,
artifacts, and previously, as well as modern, Photos Courtesy
written histories. of Historic
Knightstown Inc.
These are displayed in a museum on the town
square and on their website.

Simultaneously, other residents began renting the empty buildings on Main Street to open antique stores full
of furniture, dishes, canning jars, and needlework made by individuals and in the factories of the region. In
the late 1980's, a film crew choose Knightstown's old gym next to the Academy building as the site of the
home gym in the movie Hoosiers. Many residents participated in the filming, especially in the cheering crowd
scenes. Later, the townspeople decided to incorporate the Hoosier Gym (http://www.thehoosiergym.com) to
preserve and celebrate the phenomenon of Hoosier hysteria with all-star games and various other events.
These are a few examples of how the town began to innovate and build a new economy/brand.

26
Social and Economic Factors

Table 1 - Economics

Henry County State of Indiana

Unemployment Rate 2010 (US Bureau Labor Stat) 11.5% 9.1%

Median Household Income (US Census Bureau 2009) $39,989 $45,427

Median Household Income (US Census Bureau 1989) $25,898 $27,769

Families Below Poverty Level (US Census Bureau 2009) 15.0% 14.4%

Families Below Poverty Level (US Census Bureau 1989) 10.8% 10.3%

The chart above states that the November 2010 unemployment rate for Henry County is 11.5%, which is
2.4% higher than the State average. There is no data for real unemployment at this time however we can
look at the changes that have taken place in manufacturing since 1967.

Changes in Auto Manufacturing From 1998-2008

Graph shows the decline in "parts" manufacturing in all of Indiana from 90,000 workers in 1998 to 43,000
in 2008 just before the current recession. This decline started after the major Henry county job loss had
already taken place from 1975-1995. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, article link:
http://www.incontext.indiana.edu/2010/may-june/article2.asp

27
 The map indicates that Henry County and the surrounding counties of Hancock, Madison,
and Delaware all primarily manufacture car parts. (Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,
article link: http://www.incontext.indiana.edu/2010/may-june/article2.asp )

28
Number Manufacturing Employee by County 1967

This Map shows that Henry County had 10,000 + manufacturing jobs in 1967and sur-
rounding counties where Henry County residents commuted, Marion, Madison, Delaware,
Wayne, and Hancock had a total of 210,000+ manufacturing jobs.

29
Patterns of Henry County Residents Commuting 1997
Henry County, Indiana
Work/Residence (commuting) Patterns
-- Based on IT-40 Returns for Tax Year 1997

Number of persons who live in Henry County and work (labor force) .................. 33,618
Number of persons who live in Henry County and work in Henry County ............ 24,443
Number of persons who live out of and work in Henry County .............................. 2,238
Total number of persons who work in Henry County (work force) ... .................... 26,681
Top five counties receiving workers FROM Henry County:
Marion County .............. 2,400
Madison County ............ 1,901
Delaware County .......... 1,566
Hancock County ........... 1,016
Wayne County ................. 664
Total of above ............... 7,547 workers
or 22.4% of Henry County labor force
‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹‹

Evidence that in 1997, despite the loss of many jobs from the 1967 high of 210,000 manufacturing jobs
in Henry County and the counties of Marion, Madison, Delaware, Wayne, and Hancock, the Henry County
residents continued to commute for the good jobs.

Henry County, Indiana Manufacturing

This chart shows four years before the current recession Henry County economy was gradually losing
revenue. This implies that the county has lost countless Millions since the 1967 high of 210,000 regional
jobs. The impact does not stop with manufacturing jobs, it has spread with the loss of jobs that are ancil-
lary to manufacturing and the businesses that served the workers, including restaurants, clothing shops,

30
shoe stores etc. In an article in The Knightstown Banner commemorating its 140th anniversary, author Ty
Swincher listed a partial list of 45 local businesses that had closed since 1967 (see http://www.theban-
neronline.com/about_the_banner.htm). Therefore, the current unemployment rate of 11.5% is only a par-
tial picture of the impact to the region because of the loss of the 1967 manufacturing base.

Table 2 - Housing

US Census Bureau Data 2009 2000 1990

Average Household Size Henry County - 2.45 2.55

Total Housing Units Henry County 21,472 - -

Total Vacancies Henry County - 5.4% 6.0%

Education
z 79.6 % of population have high school diploma or higher
z 11.7% have bachelor's degree or higher

Table 3 - Population

US Census Bureau Data 2015est 2010 2009 2000 1990

Total Population - Henry County 45,050 - 47,827 48,508 48,139

Percent Change 2000-2009 -1.4%

Net Population Migration 2008-2009 -242 pe

Natural Increase - Births minus Deaths -0- (2010 State rank by county, 83 0f 92)

Table 4 - Population Age

US Census Bureau Data 2009

Preschool- age 4 5.6%

School-age 5-17 8.2%

College 8.2%

Young Adult 26.1%

Older Adults 45-64 27.5%

Older Adults 45-64 15.9%

31
County Health Issues
z Obesity Rates - 30%
z Diabeties - 10.5%

Socioeconomic Summary

The 2010 census report shows the percentage of vacant housing in Henry County rose from 5.4 % in the
2000 census to 8-10.9%. This is another indicator of population and economic loss for the region.

The population continues to shrink as residents leave the county to find better jobs and the census esti-
mates that this trend will continue to increase into 2015. The median age of the county and the number
of families with children continues to decrease as young families leave Henry county searching for a bet-
ter future. The county's natural population increase, computed by the number of birth minus deaths, has
come to a screeching stop to its current spot of zero growth.

According to an a 2008 article from the Indianapolis Star titled “Indy area is flourishing while rest of state
falters, Indianapolis has gained jobs, has a higher average wage than rest of state”:
(see: http://www.indystar.com/article/20081019/LOCAL/810190382/%3Ca%20href)

"Outside the metro area, the economic divide appears. Hit hardest have been old
industrial centers, including Anderson, Connersville, Elkhart, Marion, Muncie, New
Castle and Richmond. Of the state's 133,400 laid-off factory workers, 116,000
labored outside the 10-county Indianapolis area at now-closed or shrinking facto-
ries for Borg-Warner, Guide, Dana, Visteon, and others."

When asked about tax incentives for new high tech companies to move to the rural areas, Indiana
Governor Mitch Daniels said:

"That looks like corporate welfare of the worst kind. Why would you provide incen-
tives for what was going to happen anyway?"

A professor from hard hit Marion went on to say:

"They must find new reasons to exist," said Thomas Lehman, a business professor
at Indiana Wesleyan University. "The new niches seem to be education and
advanced manufacturing.""

Mr. Lehman's theory seems to agree with goals for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The
State website says the following about their programs and Initiatives:

32
 "The state of Indiana offers business support and expertise to companies that are
investing and creating jobs in Indiana. Indiana places special emphasis on the auto-
motive, life sciences, energy, and national security industry sectors, and supports
companies involved in advanced manufacturing, logistics, information technology
and research and development. Indiana also provides financial assistance to qual-
ified high-tech firms and small businesses and offers a variety of programs to sup-
port new business start-ups and business expansion and growth."

The number of Henry County residents with a bachelor's degree or higher and the number of residents
attending community college is also lower than the state average. As seen above, today's students will
need advanced training if they hope for a better job in the new economy.

The cost of continuing education at the Junior College level and above is a barrier to many because of
the thirty years of quality job loss and more applicants to existing scholarships. The situation may be even
more precarious if the federal government needs to cut Pell grants or money allocated to the states for
higher education.

This is an issue that the Charles A beard School Corporation is addressing through a long standing pro-
gram that enables students to earn an Associate degree in computer engineering and by entering into a
co-op with other county schools to offer more Associate Degree level courses that prepare students for
advanced manufacturing, information technology, CNA and radio related careers. As the work force in the
area begins to satisfy the requirements, newer technology firms will be attracted to the area.

There is a great body of research to suggest that firms are looking for attractive safe communities with an
educated workforce, low taxes, available housing, moderate cost of living, friendly people, and a variety
of healthy leisure time activities with plenty of green spaces. Many of the ingredients are present;
Knightstown can again be one of those communities. Therefore, the town's park locations are instrumen-
tal in shaping an environment that will help attract new industry to the town.

The health issues of the region's population reflected in the regions high incidence of obesity and dia-
betes, and the ageing of the population, residents with special needs and single parent families also imply
that the park needs to plan a variety of programs and opportunities to serve residents of all ages and abil-
ities.

In summary, because of shifts in the patterns and type of job growth in the twenty first century, the park
will become even more important in the future to help build economic security for the region. This is a big
challenge that will help determine whether the population of the area continues to age, dwindle away, or
grow.

The 1990 American with Disabilities Act requires that local governments with over 50 employees desig-
nate at least one employee to act as ADA compliance coordinator. Knightstown has less than 50 employ-
ees so there is not a compliance coordinator, however the public is encouraged to contact the Town office
with any complaints including those with issues about ADA compliance. The Town strives to make ven-
ues ADA compliance. The Park Shelter house has ADA compliant parking. There are not currently any

33
events or attractions that require printed materials. The sports fields and the ingress/egress to the play-
grounds are not ADA compliant at this time.

Current and Proposed Accessibility

Because Knightstown has fewer than 50 employees, they have been exempted from many of the ADA
requirements. According to the town building inspector, Knightstown has accessible walkways and park-
ing leading to the shelter house. As listed above the other venues are located on the lower level of the
park that has gravel parking lots with no current ADA compliant parking.

Paving these areas will be in excess of $80,000, which will require grant funds and community fundrais-
ing to complete.

The playground equipment will likewise need to be updated in some areas to meet federal standards and
guidelines. Lack of funds and a budget that has dwindled over the years due to falling tax revenues has
slowed progress on this issue.

The community surveys definitely reflected a need to place a high priority on this issue. Over 50% of the
respondents to the surveys listed lack of accessibility as a concern or barrier to them or loved ones.

The Board has begun the process of exploring Universal Design so that they will be able to make informed
decisions for the planned venues of the future. See the Activity Action Chart further on in this document
to see proposed timelines for this issue. The Park Board has included the concept of universal design into
their ideas of future park features. For example, the vision for the future splash park includes elements
that are universally accessible, long sloping entrance rather than steps or a curb with one ramp, bench-
es; conversation alcoves along with community sponsored butterfly gardens and shaded areas. The fea-
ture will be a place for all age groups to interact and enjoy. This would mix seniors with preschoolers,
learning from each other and all groups helping to maintain the feature and accessible to all.

Public Participation
The Knightstown Park Board honors the mission to serve the community. As such, the Park Board Makes
all meetings open to the public and most of the meetings are covered by the Knightstown Banner.

The first action the Board took was to pass a motion to hire a grant writer to prepare a Park Master Plan.
The motion was announced to the public in a story covering the meeting, published in the Banner. The
next month the Park Board hired the grant writer and this was in the Banner.

Later during the process of developing this Five Year Plan, the public has been informed of its progress
and invited to participate through letters to the editor and news stories in the Knightstown Banner. The
public was also asked to help develop a new organization, Friends of the Park.

As mentioned previously, the Knightstown Parks Board began to establish the "Friends of Knightstown
Park" during the summer quarter of 2010. The first step was canvassing residents during a town event

34
and passing out a sign up sheets to all who expressed interest (See Appendix ii). In the meantime, the
Park Board incorporated the Friends of Sunset Park. The Board then held two preliminary meetings
advertised in the local newspaper, The Banner, which had low attendance (See Appendix iii & iv).

After assessing results, they decided to submit a Letter to the Editor of The Banner explaining the pur-
pose and goals of the five-year park plan, with the announcement of the public meeting to hear resident's
dreams for the park and to explain how the Friends of the Knightstown Park fit into the plan. (See
Appendix pg. v).

This approach proved successful. A public meeting to discuss the park plan and gain resident ideas was
held on November 10, 2010. (See Appendix vi & vii) The Friends of Knightstown Park meeting was held
on November 17, 2010. The people who had signed the interest sheet were called and invited and the
attendance was good. (See Appendix ii, ix, & viii).

After the Board received feedback from The Department of Natural Resources on the first phase of the
plan, they conducted a community park survey (See Appendix xi). The survey was announced in anoth-
er Letter to the Editor (See Appendix xii), through Facebook, and on the website of The Banner.

The paper surveys were distributed to community organization meetings as well as through displays locat-
ed in the library, post office, utilities office and several local businesses. Members of Friends of Sunset
Park and the Park Board handled the distribution. The survey was also posted on The Banner website as
well as an email address to email answers. Five hundred surveys were distributed and one hundred and
sixty five or 30% were returned. This is 8.7% of the population of the town.

The Final Public meeting will be held at the Park Shelter House, 7:00pm, April 6, 2011. Another Letter to
the Editor of The Banner appeared in the March 30 issue announcing where to find the finished Park Plan
and the time and place of the final public meeting. The same announcement was also placed on The
Banner's Facebook page that has almost 800 followers.

A legal Public Notice also appeared in The Banner on March 23 and March 30. All of the Park Surveys
that were distributed had a notice of the meeting printed on the bottom of the page. Hardcopies of the
Park Plan were placed at the Knightstown Public Library and the utilities office. The plan was also post-
ed on The Banner website.

Photo 15 - National Road Heritage Trail, one mile from Knightstown

Knightstown Park Board has drawn inspiration for its

goals with the 2009 opening of 11 miles of the
National Road Heritage Trail that runs between the
neighboring towns of Lewisville and Raysville.
Healthy Communities of Henry County, working with
the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the
Indiana Department of Transportation, has combined
the enthusiasm of voluteers with significant grant
awards to move the county trail project forward.

35
Park Planning

The planning approach adopted by the Knightstown Park Board consists of three basic elements:

WHAT DO WHAT DO WE SOLUTIONS

WE HAVE WANT OR NEED AND PLANS

Inventory Park Community Survey Analysis

Area Facilities Public Meetings Decisions
Programs Fed/State Trends Action Plan

Methodology

z Level of Service method

z Issues Assessment method

Most grantors use a point has based system, based on criteria that reflect their goals and priorities to choose
which applications they will fund.

In this case, the federal entity we are concerned with is the Department of Natural Resources, which has a
basic mandate to protect land, water, and wildlife. In addition, the department has changing goals based upon
current national trends and needs identified by other entities such as the current need to address the obesity
and diabetic epidemics.

Federal and state departments work together to gather data from other federal departments, state surveys, and
plans such as this one, to measure progress, changing trends, and problem areas and public needs. They use
the (LOS) method, which creates quantifiable measurements in terms of acres parkland/1000 population or
acres parkland/person and distance from particular types of parks, outdoor recreational publicly owed and pub-
lically used space, to analyze data, set benchmarks, goals, and priorities.

Every five years the Indiana Department of Natural Resources releases an updated plan, the Statewide
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, (SCORP) to outline Indiana's progress on goals and trouble spots,
as well as report changing trends in Indiana recreation, economic and health needs.

The plan also set benchmarks, goals, and priorities. A score for where and how an applicant fits into the bench-
mark picture, plus (SCORP) goals and priorities constitute the point system used by the department for fund-
ing decisions.

Therefore this plan uses the (LOS) method, to measures Knightstown's resources, and trends indicated by the
recent park survey, with the same yardstick as (SCORP). This enables the board to see exactly how the town
fits into the bigger state and federal picture, what opportunities are available to the town, and how and where
to seek funding for each project.

36
Inventory of Land, Park, and Recreation Venues

Table 5 - State Trends in Recreation 1979-2005

Level of Service (LOS) Analysis

As mentioned above, this method is based on need. The need is expressed in acres/1000 people or acre/per-
son and distance from specific recreation locations. The method requires an inventory of existing facilities,
public input, and the ability to measure and prioritize needs.

For benchmarking purposes, Knightstown was compared with Markleville and the city of Carmel.

As mentioned earlier, Knightstown does not have a separate Parks Department. The park is administered by
the volunteer Park Board and many of the sports venues and events are accomplished through various com-
munity partnerships.

The Board used this method as a tool to develop benchmarks to assess how Knightstown's parks and
Recreation programs compare to other communities, the region, and the state.

As explained above, every five years the Indiana Department of Natural Resource updates the Indiana
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The plan surveys citizens and park profession-
als, to assess trends in recreation, measures current Indiana parks, Level of Service, aligns Indiana's goals
with the Federal goals, and then sets new benchmarks, goals, and guidelines for the next five years. The cur-
rent (SCORP) community benchmark for acres of parkland/1000 people is, 20acres/per 1000 or
0.02acres/person. Knightstown's current population is 1900+ which would indicate that the town needs 38

37
acres to satisfy the benchmark or 0.02acres/person. Sunset Park alone does not satisfy the benchmark; how-
ever as mentioned earlier many of the sports programs take place at the intermediate and elementary school
fields as well as at the Hoosier gym. In addition, the new High School sports complex is scheduled to open dur-
ing the 2011-2012 school year. These areas taken together with the parkland enables the town to satisfy the
state benchmark for parkland acreage.

Since 2007, the Level of Service method has expanded to include analysis of distance or geographic distribu-
tion of park areas for all of the population. Using the ½ mile from park per neighborhood benchmark, we see
that if you include all of the available sports fields available Knightstown does reach the benchmark. If you
measure for areas offering fishing or water sports for instance, the town does not meet the benchmark.

Table 6 - Park Level of Service (LOS) Benchmarks

SCORP .02 / person Population Park Acres Acres / person

Markleville 400 25.15 .066 / person

Carmel 84,033 504.8 .007 / person

Knightstown 1900 45 023 / person

This measurement generally also includes different types of specialty parks. The Square (community interac-
tion, festivals), the Veterans Memorial (meditative time), and the Cemetery (observe nature, historical and
genealogy) would be in this category. There were other categories mentioned that Knightstown does not pro-
vide that are of interest. For instance, Tot Lots, small recreation areas nestled within business and shopping
zones or greenways such as trails and waterway parks that help preserve and highlight natural resources.

Map 10 - Indiana County LOS Benchmark Map

The State Plan also sets benchmarks for county land (LOS)
at 35 acres/1000 and regional benchmarks at
55acres/1000. Henry County is one of 16 counties in the
state that satisfies both the county and the regional bench-
marks. This is because in addition to each town's contribu-
tion of community parkland the county also has memorial
Park and Summit Lake State Park.

However, Henry County is part of region 6, which does not

satisfy the regional benchmark because neighboring coun-
ties fall short of both the county and the regional bench-
mark. (See Map 10, at right, red counties do not meet LOS
benchmark of 35acres/1000 for parkland and the green
counties do reach the benchmark.)

38
Map 11 - Regional LOS Benchmarks

Most areas of the state that do not satisfy the (SCORP)

benchmarks are rapidly growing areas close to cities. (See
Map 10 & Map 11) This is caused as shown in the econom-
ic issue section of the plan, by population migration due to
job losses and the changing locations of new job opportuni-
ties.

Hence, we see in Table 6 that the city of Carmel does not

reach the (SCORP) benchmark, while Markleville and
Knightstown do.

This is of concern because (SCORP) categorizes counties

and regions that do not reach the benchmark as "critical"
and therefore in need of more State funds for park land
acquisition development. They assign points to grant appli-
cations based on these guidelines and then award the
money to the applications with the highest points.

Therefore, because Knightstown is situated in a region that is listed as critical, it will receive more points for
land acquisition projects than for land improvement projects. It is crucial for the Park Board to follow these
guidelines when determining the type of funding for each project.

39
Issue Assessment Analysis

z Issues Assessment Method

This method of analyzing data is also based on quantitative measurement of facilities and resources.
For the purposes of this plan, the (LOS) measurements were also used in this portion of the plan.

1. First a list of issues/needs are defined by, input from community surveys, public meetings,
and other resident feedback given to Board members, combined with an analysis of the
park's assets (LOS), depreciation and maintenance problems. Deficits in state/federal
requirements are also listed.

2. The list is compared to (SCORP), to identify current state trends and priorities/opportunities
in recreation.

3. The cost and funding sources are identified.

4 Priorities are established.

5. Action plan is created.

Community Survey Analysis - March 2011

Five Hundred Surveys were distributed and one hundred and sixty six or 30% were returned. This is 8.7% of the
population of the town.

Gender
z 102 Males - 61.81% or 62%
z 64 females - 38.78% or 39%

Age
z Age range age 4-80+

Demographics
z Biggest demographic - men 18-45
z Smallest demographic - children male and female, 1-18

Residency
z Inside Knightstown City Limits -140 or 85%
z Wayne Township - 6 or .04%
z Greensboro Township - 17 or 10%
z Ripley Township - 3 or .02%

Question - How often do you visit Sunset Park?

z Men of all ages stated that they visit the park more often than women of most age groups do.
z The men who also stated that they used the sports fields were the groups that visited most often
three or more times a week in the age ranges of 1-45.

40
 z Women who also stated that they visit the park with their children were the second frequent group,
more than once a week. Some indicated that they use the sports fields, some the playground and some
indicated they use both.
z The women who were above 65 visited the park the least, less than one time a month, were also some
of the most supportive respondents, both with positive feedback on the park but also in terms willing
ness to help pay, to volunteer and they wrote in more amenities they wanted the park.

Question - What do you do in the park?

z Use the sports fields was by far the most sited pastime.
z Use the playground was the second most popular pastime. This group was made up of mostly women
between 19-65 and fewer men age 18-45
z Walk/jog/run was the third category, with both men and women, 19-45 the largest demographic.
z Picnicking, fishing and relaxing had similar number of fans.

Question - Who do you go to the park with?

z As seen above the biggest group visiting with children/grandchildren was women 18-65-for playground
z Second largest group was men and women, ages 18-45 that went with children/grandchildren who also
said they use the sports fields.
z Men were much more likely to visit with all groups, children/grandchildren, spouse, friends, varies and
by myself.
z Women were more likely to visit with children/grandchildren/family or alone.

Question - Were the programs well organized?

z This question was answered with a large amount of write-in question marks or was skipped entirely.
Some people added," What Programs?"

Question - How would you rate our park?

z People who stated they use the park for sports fields were much more likely to give the park good or
high quality marks.
z People over 65 were also more positive about the park rating.
z Women who visit with children /grandchildren were the most concerned and wrote in more informa-
tion. They expressed concern about the maintenance, health safety, and cleanliness. One woman
stated that she was not sure the playground equipment and the sandbox were safe for children to use.
z Bathrooms lower level- 85% surveys mentioned these bathrooms -highest % groups were the 0-18,
19-45, 45-65-I think these are the groups that play sports, have children or grand children that play
sports. Only one or two older than 65 mentioned this as an issue-they may not use these bathrooms
z Babe Ruth field and lower level play equipment. 40% of the 18-45 group mentioned concern, anger
etc. about the condition of these areas. Some were concerned about safety-cleanliness or the equip-
ment, bleachers, dugouts.

41
Question - How would you rate the park programs?
z This question elicited similar responses to the question asking about program organization. It was
skipped, write-in question marks or "What Programs."
z 70% women mentioned that there were no programs, or said what programs?-same with people over
65. They said they did not go to the park or if they did, they went with their children and then listed the
programs as poor. Most men and boys said the programs were very good (sports fields) and stated
they visited the park often.

Question - What prevents you from using the park?

z The most checked item was lack of time.
z The second most frequent choice was health/mobility.
z Lack of interest and cannot afford programs both only had a few responses.

Question - Which barriers, if any, restrict you from using the park or the programs?
z A large number of people of all ages checked Physical access to the park or its equipment; even peo-
ple who were young and stated they jogged and used the sports field. This appears to be a poorly
written question. It may be that many respondents thought the question referred to the park being off
limits during the winter. In spite of this problem, we are able to separate the respondents that checked
this item along with other items with a similar profile to see there are a large number of people who
experience barriers in the park. Access to equipment, parking, and reports there are no programs for
them. This group also requested benches and paved trails.

Question - How would you like Knightstown to pay for park improvements?
z The top three choices were, 90-95% grants, and donations, 50% existing budgets, 15% chose munic
ipal bonds and 1% checked taxes-all but one lived outside Knightstown city limits.

Question - What would you like the park to add?

z Trails and paths were chosen by over 90% of the respondents. This group included men and women
of all ages. Benches and splash park were also chosen by 0ver 75% of people.
z For the write in portion of the question there was general public support for a new pool-several peo
ple wrote notes stating that they missed the pool-others said the kids need the pool-since it was not a
checklist item it was not as great as the trail choice-but it had strong support. One man said, "Do we
dare dream of a new pool?
z Skate park was mentioned 7 times.
z Zip lines -2 times

Question - Are you willing to pay for the park with any of the following methods?
z Small increase in program fee and shelter house rental was chosen by 52% of people.
z Park user tax-22%
z Cannot afford to pay and unwilling to pay had very few check each. One person wrote in "I do pay for
the park, I pay taxes."

42
Issues Raised By Survey

1. Maintenance, clean-up and painting

2. Bathrooms –lower level-renovation make ADA compliant
3. Lower level playground-clean-up assess proper location for each item

(a) One suggestion was to use the New Castle Day of Caring as a chance to
paint dugouts or clean up the area. (ask Judy Haines for more information)
(b) Another suggestion was to have a community park clean-up
(c) Is this a good area for sand box-upper level may be better

4. Need a variety of programs for underserved groups

5. How to add more programs for different groups
6. maybe develop events coordinator volunteer position.

 Program development project- (probably one year at least until

system is developed)

 Note-you are developing the system now-not the actual programs-

--running programs is a job for 1-3 people in a city the size of
Greenfield—you will need to develop a volunteer system recruit
advertise etc

7. accessible parking/senior parking

8. Consider creating path through park that is accessible
9. Benches and posts to help with balance or fences with railings
10. Trails
11. Speed bumps
12. New ADA approved mulch for playground
13. Splash park

43
Knightstown Park Board Action Plan 2011-2015

Budget year Priority Item Lead Entity Potential Cost Potential Funding source
start-resolution
2011-2012 Build Knightstown Friends of * FOSP board None-volunteer grants
Sunset Park-continue to enlist new members, speakers, newspaper donations
vol. Presentations at organizations Knightstown stories- raise
and churches Park Board community awareness
of exciting Park Plans
2011-2012 Create Fundraising plan for: FOSP & Park $1,500-$2500 Corporate Donor
community events & Board Fundraising supplies, Individual donor
corporate/private donors collaboration stationary etc. Corporate Partnerships
Create Donor List
Create event list
Build vol. pool
Train vol in F/R

2011 Begin Fundraising Plan KFOP and Varies per project- Varies-donors, vol. time
Park Board details in FOSP plan

Current Renovate Lower level Bathrooms Lions Club Donated

and maintain in future

2011 Repair and renovation of area Knightstown $4,000-$10,000-based Donation/K-town Park Board
beneath playground equipment Park Board on materials chosen Budget
2011 Speed bumps-Hills Knightstown $2,000-$5,000 Donations
Park Board
2011 Clean-up , paint etc Knightstown $1000-$2000 Donations and Budget
Volunteer Day Park Board
and FOSP
2011 Program needs assessment Knightstown $200.00-$400.00 budget
Park Board
2012 Park board will handled bids, FOSP 100,000 Private donor
Construct construction etc Fundraising Fundraising drive
Splash Park project-under
way now
2011 Universal Board will create plan to become Knightstown 25,000 Private donor
design ADA ADA compliant in more areas of the Park Board budget
park and apply universal design
concepts on new projects
2011-2015 Begin to apply for grants, donations Knightstown $4000.00 Donor/grant funds
and partnership in State projects Park Board
for trails greenways and
water/wetlands protect
2011-2015 Administer any programs and Knightstown
projects funded by grant awards, Park Board
corporate partnerships & donor
2011 2013 Improve universal design for whole Knightstown Undetermined at this Donations, in kind
park Park Board time
2012 Develop Volunteer Program Knightstown $1000 Donations
Park Board
and FOSP
2012-2015 Develop Park Programs Knightstown revenues for park
Park Board
and Volunteer
2014-2015 Update Five Year Plan Knightstown $4000.00 budget
Park board

* (FOSP) Friends Of Sunset Park

44
Appendix

Photo 14 - Blue River flood plain in Knightstown, close to trail

Photo 15 - Access to trail on S. Washington St., nearby the Blue River shown above

Photos
by
Andrea
Grace
Bell
2011

ii
Hoosier Fall Festival Sign-in sheet of people interested in Friends of the Park

iii
Announcement of Friends of the Park (FOP) Incorporated

Notification of Meeting to Discuss Forming Friends of the Park

iv
Letter to the Editor, Knightstown Banner, October 20, 2010 (part one)

v
Letter to the Editor, Knightstown Banner, October 20, 2010 (part two)

vi
Sign-in Sheet Public Meeting November 10, 2010

z 5 citizens in attendance

vii
 First Public Meeting Agenda

For Knightstown Five Year Park Plan

November 10, 2010

 Introduction and welcome

 History of Knightstown 5 year plan for Dept of Natural Resources

 Purposes of Plan:

o To qualify for grants from DNR, show example of community
organization and support to other foundations and donors.
o A vehicle to tie the park venues to economic expansion and community
health
 Plan’s two Public Meetings
o Phase one- community input for park future-plan is submitted to DNR
before January 15 2011.
o Phase two-work with DNR to finalize plan, hold second public meeting
for final community input, finalize plan, ratify plan-submit to DNR April
15, 2011
 Purpose of this meeting:
o Community Input--- Dream BIG-no bad ideas!!!
o Inform community of process
o Explain Friends of Park place in the picture

Ideas Exercise

 Purpose: To increase group participation and excitement for the future of the park
and to increase idea database
Categories:
o Current park footprint
o New park areas
1. Have people present ideas for each category
2. write down on erase board at front of the room
3. Have people study list and see if any ideas link together

 Talk about Friends of the park meeting-next week (stress date and time!) and pump
up enthusiasm for getting involved.
o Ask for one or two volunteer to input data
o Ask two or three volunteers to call people who were on the sign up sheet
for friends of park.
o Ask the specific volunteers to come up after meeting to establish specific
appointment time for board member contact and instructions.
 Adjourn meeting

viii
Public meeting - Friends of the Park - Phase 1, Nov. 17, 2011

ix
 Agenda: Knightstown Public Meeting for Five Year Park Plan & Friends of the Park

November 17, 2010

 Introduction and welcome

 Five Year Park Plan
 History of Knightstown Friends Of the Park Purpose-build community spirit and raise
money
 Something for everyone-volunteer activities, fundraising, leadership roles, booster,
recruitment of volunteers and more…

Ideas exercise

Purpose: To increase group participation and excitement for the future of the Park and
of the organization and to increase idea database for each category.

Categories: what needs to be done?

1. Volunteers-recruitment-how
a. Friends
b. Other organizations-clubs, churches civic groups
2. Fundraising
a. Community organization projects
b. Create donor list –big corporations local and national
c. Sponsorships for events
d. Advertisement-newspaper, specific organization bulletins etc.
3. Leadership duties
a. Create Board of Directors------Next meeting
b. Create by-laws
1. Have people present ideas for each category
2. write down on erase board at front of the room
3. Have people study list and see if any ideas link together
4. Ask for show of hands for commitment and ask the to write their commitment
on their Volunteer contact sheet
4. Establish date for next meeting

x
Friends of Park Donor Letter

xi
 Sunset Park Survey
Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey to aid the Knightstown Parks and Recreation Board in completing
five-year plan required by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in order to qualify for department grants.
All comments are anonymous and will be used in park planning. You may copy this survey and drop it off at the
post office, banks or city hall or fill it out and email it to jaloc@hrtc.net. Thank You.
Male Female Age

Where do you live? How often do you visit What do you typically do in
Sunset Park? the Park?
Inside Knightstown city limits
Every day Use playgrounds
Outside Knightstown but inside 4 or 5 times a week Walk/jog/run
Charles A Beard School district in
Wayne Township 3 or fewer times a week Go fishing

Greensboro Township Once or twice a month Relax

Ripley Township (Rush Co) Once or twice a year Use sports fields
Never Picnicking

I go to the Park with… Were the park programs well How would you rate our Park?
Children/Grandchildren organized?
Yes Consistent high quality
Friends
A little Generally good
Varies on each visit
No Poor quality
Just myself

How would you rate our What is the most important Which barriers, if any restrict you
programs or activities? thing that prevents you from using the park or programs?
Consistent high quality from using the park or Physical access to the park or
programs? its equipment
Generallly good Lack of time
Lack of accessible parking
Quality varies Poor health/mobility
Can’t afford the programs Parking too far away
Poor quality
Lack of interest

How would you like I would like to see the Park Are you willing to pay for
Knightstown to pay for new add the following things. improvements in park using any of
amenities in the park? (check all that apply): the following methods? (check all that
(check all that apply) apply)
Accessible play equipment
Use existing budget small increase in program fees
More walking trails/paths
Municipal Bonds small increase in shelter house
More benches/shelters rental fee
New taxes/fees
New, large amenity: such as a small yearly city park user tax
Donations Splash park or a ____________
No, can’t afford to pay for Park
Grants
No, unwilling to pay anything for park

Ideas or suggestions for the park (Continue on the back if needed)1

The Plan incorporating your ideas will be discussed at a Public Meeting. APRIL 6, 2011 at 7:00PM - Park Shelter House

xii
Bibliography and Sources

z An Atlas of Indiana by Robert C. Kingsbury, With Contributions from John M Hollingsworth

and others (Indiana University, Department of geology, Scanned and prepared by Matt Dye
and Hui Hua Chua for the Government Publications Department as part of an Indiana Heritage
Research Grant with funds provided by the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Humanities
Council. 1999/2000).

z New Castle-Henry County Sesquicentennial 1882-1972 Editors, De Weese T. Beckner -

New Castle, John J. Harter - New Castle, R. Thomas Mayhill - Knightstown, Richard P.
Ratcliff - Spiceland, Community Printing Inc., 1617 Broad Street New Castle, Indiana 47362.

z Park, Recreation, Open Space, and Greenway Guidelines by James D. Mertes and James
R. Hall, and is available from the National Recreation and Park Association Publications Center,
(703) 858-2190 or http://www.nrpa.org/

Oral History

z Charles C Lockridge - Story of Greensboro Friends Meeting, Underground

Railroad and Women's Rights Convention and Interurban

z Barbara Meade and Family - Story of Park Naming Contest and pictures of
Maude Lemay Risk

z Robert and Carolyn Myers - Story of Fundraising for 1957 pool

z Roger Ray - Stories of Railroad and Interurban

z David Steele - Story of Fundraising for 1957 pool

a
Websites of Interest

Ball State University, Miller School of Business http://www.cberdata.org

Carmel/Clay Parks and Recreation http://www.carmelclayparks.com

Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/historical/dollars.html

Charles A. Beard Memorial School Corporation http://www.cabeard.k12.in.us/

Henry County Convention and Visitor's Bureau http://henrycountyin.org

Henry County Historical Society http://www.indianahistory.org

Henry County Soil and Water Conservation http://www.henrycountyswcd.com

Historic Knightstown Inc. http://oldktown.com/

History Magazine http://www.history-magazine.com

Indiana Department of Natural Resources -

Division of Parks and Recreation / Planning http://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor

Indiana Economist http://indianaeconomicdigest.com

Indiana Map http://inmap.indiana.edu/

Indiana National Road Association http://www.indiananationalroad.org

Indiana Trails http://www.indianatrails.org

IU Kelly School of Business http://www.kelley.iu.edu

Hoosier Gym Inc. http://www.thehoosiergym.com/

Knightstown Banner http://www.thebanneronline.com/

Knightstown Chamber of Commerce http://www.knightstownchamber.org/

National Recreation and Park Association http://nrpa.org/

STATS Indiana http://www.stats.indiana.edu/

US Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov
Highway History / National Road