The proposed Market Street Park’s market pavilion will be located east of Old Town Hall. It would have parking on both sides during normal hours. For special events like the farmers market, booths would be set up in the place of parking. Concept rendering courtesy of Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group
HUNTINGBURG — Huntingburg’s proposed park near downtown would have walkways, swings, pavilions and plenty of seating.
The design for Market Street Park — which would span between Fourth and Geiger streets with its center just east of Old Town Hall — was reviewed by some Huntingburg Park Board members, city officials and the public Wednesday evening.
Scott Siefker of Indianapolis-based Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group presented the updated design, although he said it’s still being tweaked and finalized.
The estimated $2.9 million cost will be funded with Indiana Office of Community Rural Affairs’ community development block grant money appropriated to Huntingburg through its Stellar Communities designation, local tax incremental funds, economic development income tax funds and private monies committed by local partners.
At the north end of the park, there will be an open entrance from Fourth Street, just east of the Current Blend building. It will include a plaza with tables and seating. South of that will be a lawn terrace, which includes seating, that will face a performance pavilion. The pavilion could be used as a shelterhouse and will not be too far above the ground, Siefker said. Because the land grade is steep near the outdoor seating, a set of steps will be included on the right side of the seating and pavilion.
In the center of the park, just east of Old Town Hall, will be a terrace with seating that could be used for outdoor events like receptions. Just east of the that will be a market pavilion with a walkway in the middle and curbless parking on either side. For events like the farmers market, the pavilion and parking areas will be available for booths. The fountain that sits near U.S. 231 will remain.
The south end of the park will have a section of lawn surrounded by a walkway that will be called a legacy court. The area will include a short wall, called a legacy wall, that will recognize things like the city’s Stellar designation. It will also include a south lawn and a ring-shaped walkway that will have features like a pergola and community swings.
Other details like drainage, utilities and infrastructure matters are also being worked on, Siefker said. The lighting for the park will not be bright. “We will not have lighting like Walmart,” Siefker said. “We are careful to not create spillage into the neighborhood.” Homes sit to the west and south of the planned park area.
Restroom facilities for the park will be built in the lower level of the Current Blend building, which the city owns, and accessed from the park side. The restroom project is a separate project from Market Street Park, Mayor Denny Spinner said.
Park board member Mark Peters liked the park’s design concept, but said that designers should consider making the lawn terrace’s tiered seating out of artificial turf instead of actual grass. “That way, you don’t have to worry about the upkeep,” he said.
Siefker said the final details are still being worked out, so that idea can be taken into consideration. “It’s good to get those kinds of comments,” he said.
Designers plan to have the design completed so that bids can be requested in May. It will take about two months to review the bids and select a contractor, Siefker said. Construction should take about eight months, he said.
Peters said the park could be a true attraction for the city, attracting other events like festivals, weddings and concerts.
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