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Parks, Recreation and Open Space

 

Position History: 
Revised 2008
A. Planning Goals: The League believes that the planning goals for parks, recreation and open space in Tippecanoe County should include the following considerations:

1. Acquisition and creative development of open space in the cities and the county for active recreational purposes as well as opportunities to observe and experience nature;

2. Preservation of the natural and historic heritage of our county, e.g. additional financial support for our historical parks, acquisition and preservation of Hadley Lake and other wetlands, and use of the Wildcat Creek area for recreational and conservation purposes in accordance with an overall orderly plan;

3. Support for public input and involvement in the initial stages of planning as well as formation of on-going citizen advisory groups;

4. Promotion of the philosophy that parks, recreation, and open space are a valid expenditure of local tax monies because of their contribution to sustainable economic development, a healthy community, and overall quality of life;

5. Utilization of a combination of funding sources including local, state, and federal governmental funds in combination with foundations and other private sources; Government funding should use the least regressive taxes. Possible tax sources could include tax increment financing, local income tax, user fees for specific facilities, food andbeverage tax and innkeepers’ tax.

6. Cooperation among concerned park boards and other governmental entities to make our community a place of choice.



B. Wabash River Corridor: The League recognizes that the Wabash River basin is a unique, predominant and treasured natural feature not only of our community but of our state, and the League strongly supports:

 

1. The Wabash River Enhancement Corporation and the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission in their efforts to promote environmentally responsible urban development and natural river corridor enhancement;

2. Improvement of water quality in the river itself and in the overall river environment;

3. Utilizing the water in its naturally free - flowing state and preserving and stabilizing its banks;

4. Integrated development of recreational opportunities along the Wabash River corridor including access areas and facilities for such things as canoeing, rowing, fishing, shallow - draft powerboats, as well as opportunities for hiking, camping, bicycling, and picnicking within a natural park environment;

5. Continued development of Prophetstown State Park as an anchor for Wabash River corridor development to address unmet recreational needs in Tippecanoe County and the contiguous region;

6. Sustainable focal point development to link the communities of Lafayette and West Lafayette. Possibilities could include restaurants, museums, community gathering places, boardwalks and overlooks.