NineStar Connect is looking to donate land to Hancock County for a new county park on the outskirts of incorporated Spring Lake.
At the September Hancock County Commissioners meeting, Hancock County Park Board President Miriam Rolles and NineStar Vice President of Engineering George Plisinski showcased plans. The plans outline a large-scale renovation on 43 acres the utility company owns on South County Road 300 West, a couple of miles west of where it hopes to build a water treatment facility. County leaders hope the land can be transformed into a new park that will provide close access to a future portion of the Pennsy Trail.
Commissioners approved motions authorizing Rolles to order two appraisals to establish a fair market value for the land, and sign closing documents for the land. According to the county’s Geographic Information Systems portal, NineStar acquired the land in 2023.
Hancock County’s park system over unincorporated areas of the county is still in its infancy. The county park board formed in the summer of 2024, and it has already purchased the Shirley Heritage Trail and plans to expand it.
Rolles and NineStar leaders have been working on the land donation for a while, she said. She told commissioners a planned extension for the Pennsy Trail would pass the northern end of the proposed park.
“There’s no designated parking right now, but that’ll come later when we start adding assets to the park,” Rolles said. “Naturally, the trail leads toward its future connection into the park, creating a seamless link into what will soon be a beautiful community green space.”
There would also be another trail connecting to the Pennsy Trail that would run alongside the park toward CR 100 West, next to a proposed NineStar water treatment facility. Rolles said the county will receive a $400,000 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources to help fund the trail.
Rolles is optimistic about the prospect of a new park for the county.
“I believe this partnership (with NineStar) will open up a wonderful opportunity for our residents,” she said. “The location of this new county park will be ideal for families as well as biking enthusiasts, runners and walkers. Our goal is to enhance the assets this beautiful area already offers and to create a welcoming space for all to enjoy.”