Muncie says Till Pond construction about to begin

The city of Muncie is about to start construction on facilities at Till Pond, a city park that was first announced more than four years ago.  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

Muncie’s mayor first announced plans to buy a 13-acre plot on South Tillotson Avenue in December 2020 to become a public fishing lake and nature park.

But even then, Dan Ridenour said site improvements would have to wait, because it was being paid for by the EDIT fund he controls.  The land itself cost $25,000.

At the time, he explained, “I have been told how much what I envision would cost, and so we may have to scale it back a little bit.  My EDIT funds are really pretty much – they’re tied up for the next three years…. Unless we were able to put together through grants …”

Read More: Muncie officially buys land for nature park and fishing lake on southwest side

More than four years later, Ridenour’s administration says $500,000 of the about $931,000 contract for construction will be paid for by a state grant.  Muncie’s FlatLand Resources won that contract and it was approved at Wednesday’s Board of Works meeting.

City Engineer Adam Leach says the company has already started clearing some trees at the site.

He says the city’s plans include a walking trail around the 4.4-acre pond.

“Folks that want to take a nature jog, that type of thing.  It will be an improved trail.  It will also have fishing piers.  It is kind of meant to be more of a natural area park.”

The city’s full proposal calls for an ADA-accessible fishing pier, three additional piers, ADA-accessible trail, two shelters, a 25-spot parking lot, and pond aerators.  No restroom facilities are included in the plan.

When asked about a timeline, Leach said the city anticipates construction to finish by the end of this year, depending on weather.

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at [email protected].