Huntingburg Park to open new playground with reused swing, pickleball plans advance

Huntingburg City Park will have a new playground ready when warmer weather returns, a project city officials say responds to heavy use near the girls’ softball field and decades-old equipment. Park Director Jace Merkel reported workers were already digging footers and preparing the site despite challenging weather, with the area prepped for installation by the end of February.

The installation will reuse a swing set from the previous playground after the equipment company judged the swings to be in good condition, adding value beyond the main play structure. Once groundwork is complete, the playground company will install the equipment and attach turf to the prepared curb system. Merkel said the project was prioritized because the playground sees high traffic during softball season and much of the existing equipment, including wooden structures, is about 40 years old with replacement parts no longer available.

Financially, the city leveraged donations to reduce cost. According to the mayor, donations helped secure $44,000 worth of equipment for approximately $21,000, a gap that reduced the burden on municipal funds and sped the replacement timeline.

Park board members also advanced plans for pickleball courts adjacent to the park’s tennis courts. Cash Waggner and Associates is working on designs that would add one more court and increase parking in the area. The project does not yet have a construction contract; the board aims to have a signed contract by the February 16 meeting. If built, the added court and expanded parking are likely to change traffic and parking patterns on busy weekend evenings and during tournament play.

Officials addressed safety and management at the south side dog park after multiple complaints about aggressive dogs and an incident involving a police officer bitten by an abandoned dog. The city reinstated a $25 annual fee for access, implemented key or card entry to track users, set a $5 fee for each additional dog, and established a $10 replacement key charge. The access controls are intended to improve accountability and reduce unsafe encounters while creating a modest revenue stream for park oversight.

The board also approved a new five-year lease with the Dubois County Bombers for League Stadium. The lease will start at $14,000 annually and rise by $1,500 each year. Owner Justin Knepp had raised concerns after a city-imposed increase, and the board approved the five-year agreement unanimously. The board discussed practice schedule accommodations, locker room usage and restroom cleaning responsibilities, emphasizing the need to generate revenue to maintain the field and facility.

For Huntingburg residents, the near-term outlook is tangible: a safer, modern playground ready before spring, clearer rules and access for the dog park, and a multi-year lease intended to stabilize League Stadium operations. Watch for the February 16 board meeting for final pickleball contract action and the completion of playground groundwork by the end of February.