Good And Bad Heard About Proposed Batesville Trails

Several property owners expressed their opinion, and it was mostly negative, at the public meeting last week about new walking trails proposed for Batesville.

Parks and Recreation commissioner Mike Baumer presented the plans for the construction of a new walking and biking trail in downtown Batesville at a public meeting Thursday. About 20 people attended the meeting at the Memorial Building.

The proposed trail will be funded by a $187,500 grant administered by Dept. of Natural Resources. Representatives from DNR visited the site May 19.  Baumer stated that Batesville has a 50/50 shot of getting the grant.

The 10 foot wide blacktop trail will make a loop linking Brums Woods, Liberty Park, and the baseball, softball, and soccer complex on Delaware Road. Baumer explained that this part of the trail will merely encompass Phase 1 of a potential 5 phases. This portion of this phase is three fourth miles long, and will start at Brums Woods and end at Delaware and Pohlman. 

Much of the criticism revolved around it's 10-15 foot invasion onto Mulberry Street residents’ yards. Amy Fledderman thought the trail was too wide and it should be attached to Brum Woods. She said, “If you would have told me when I bought my house that you would add 15 feet of trail into my yard, I wouldn't have bought it.” She also complained about the lack of maintenance with the Brums Woods trails.  Sandy Lindemann was concerned about property line which borders Brums Woods. Baron and Thais Cook also spoke up about invading their property and if this was the best location for the trail.

Baumer explained that he met with every homeowner whose property would be touched by the trail. The rest of the property the trail would affect is city-owned. At one point Baumer asked, "Is anyone here in favor of the trail?" and was answered by only a select few hands raised.  Citizens in favor of the trail rebuked criticisms, arguing that many times, a walking or hiking trail actually improves the quality of the property and that the trail will provide a safe way for kids to walk home from school and sports games. Josh Shenk commented it's clear the community shouldn’t rely on Batesville Casket and Hill-Rom for the future, but such quality of life enhancements as the trails.

David Armogida said it would increase home values. Gary Moeller chimed in, "I live in the Timbers...and some people have actually moved there because of the closeness to the trails." In reference to those opposed to the trail because of its invasion of property, one nearby landowner compared it to moving to the airport and suing because of plane noise. The homeowner explained that the purpose of easements on the sides of the road is for something to be built on them.

The meeting ended with the mayor assuring the attendants that their concerns and suggestions would be considered. In the meantime, the city will be waiting to hear about the DNR grant.  -Timmy Mattingly, for WRBI