MADISONVILLE, KY (WFIE) -
Three
finalists have submitted their design ideas for Mahr Park in Madisonville.
Now,
it's up to the city to decide which plan will work best for the 265 acre lot,
left for the city after Glema Mahr passed away almost three years ago.
One
thing all three firms had in mind was honoring the heritage of the Mahr family,
but there are a few distinct differences in how the park might look.
One
guideline that park committee members say is a must, is making this a passive
park.
"More
trails, lot of arboretums, natural things," City Administrator Mike
Franklin said.
One
finalist, CDP Engineers, talked about dividing the property into seven units
that includes an art walk, disc golf, and a dog park.
John
Boze and his family say they'd love to see a dog park.
"They
like to run, they need exercise. They get tensed up and they get cabin
fever," Boze said.
Brandstetter
Carrol Incorporated helped design the Madisonville City Park. They have ideas
of a challenge course, and an arboretum.
While
the last finalist, Lose and Associates talked about ways to incorporate
equestrian activities and a farmers market.
"We
kind of gave them a little bit of what Miss Mahr's vision was and all three of
them did an excellent job," Franklin said.
The
Mahr's home was a big topic of discussion, and Franklin says there were talks
of turning it into a conference center or even a museum.
"Beautiful
house, beautiful surroundings. We really don't know at this point what our
future is for this whether it be some kind of rental facility or offices or
what," Franklin said.
Residents
spending the day in the Madisonville City Park say they have ideas of their own
for the new park.
"Fountains
for the kids to play in, I think that would be nice for the community. Maybe a
putt- putt even if it was just six holes, that would be something for the
families to do, " resident Clinton Madison said.
The
committee hopes to have a planner selected in the next couple weeks, and will
then hold public meetings to get a sense of what the community would like to
see as well.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
One guideline that park committee members say is a must, is making this a passive park.
