County park board hears input for proposed park near Spring Lake

Residents and officials discussed ideas for NineStar Park at Spring Lake, a 42-acre tract donated to Hancock County, focusing on trails, conservation and education while also raising questions about naming and past local well impacts.

Community members met in Commissioners Court to imagine the first park under Hancock County government jurisdiction, a tract called NineStar Park at Spring Lake. The 42-acre site on South County Road 300 West was donated to Hancock County by NineStar Connect in December. The county park board, formed in summer 2024, described goals to conserve the existing environment, encourage stewardship and create gathering spaces. Lais McCartney of Purdue Extension Hancock County moderated the conversation and guided residents through themed discussion stations. Key details: - The donated property totals 42 acres; Twelve acres north of the site will remain with NineStar for a planned water treatment facility. - The county is considering a 0.75-mile trail to connect the site to the Pennsy Trail and has applied for a $400,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to help fund the trail. - Site constraints include protected wellheads, a no-spray zone along the Pennsy Trail and about nine acres of dry land not in the floodway, according to park board officials. - Community discussion centered on four themes: preserving habitat, maintaining water access, education for all ages, and simple recreational spaces that respect nature. - Ideas captured during the session included interpretive plant and animal signage, community gardens, information on light pollution, a kayak/canoe launch and a shelter for events. - Some residents raised concerns about naming rights because of a November 2023 NineStar pump test that town leaders say affected nearby wells; Spring Lake officials said 18 residents were financially affected and asked the county to revisit naming arrangements. Summary: Community input gave the county clearer priorities for conserving natural areas while providing low-impact recreation and education. The county is waiting to hear back on the $400,000 grant application, and naming concerns raised at the meeting were noted for further consideration.