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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Evansville Board of Park Commissioners Meeting - September 16, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, September 16, 2026

BodyEvansville, Indiana

SessionCity Council

DateWednesday, September 16, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 59:56

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

1:18

It's 12 o'clock.

1:19

I'd like to call the Board of Public Commissioners regular meeting to order.

1:23

The first item of agenda is a meeting memorandum.

1:26

Do I have a motion for approval?

1:28

So moved.

1:29

Second.

1:30

Motion of a second.

1:31

All in favor say aye.

1:32

Aye.

1:32

Aye.

1:32

Motion carries.

1:34

There are several items on the consent agenda.

1:37

Request permission to donate one golf pass for some with a cart for the University of Evansville basketball at dinner slash auction.

1:45

Request approval and execute extension number four of the master agreement with Sonic Troll for Evansville Inc.

1:53

and Maxwell Control Inc.

1:54

for various park facilities.

1:57

And request approval to execute agreement with Sellers Masonry Inc.

2:02

for Westman Park Tennis Lighting Project.

2:09

I'll entertain a motion for approval.

2:11

So moved.

2:12

Second.

2:12

We have a motion and a second.

2:13

All in favor say aye.

2:14

Aye.

2:15

Aye.

2:16

Motion carries.

2:17

There is no old business, new business.

2:19

First item on the agenda is request permission to conduct an annual deer call at Wesselman Park Nature Center.

2:33

Okay.

2:34

Good afternoon, Mr.

2:35

President and members of the board.

2:37

I am here today seeking permission to conduct uh to continue the annual deer hunt at Wesselman Woods.

2:43

Um, my name is Derek Walsh.

2:47

I am the director of natural resources and research at Wesselman Woods, and I'm presenting seeking permission for the annual deer hunt.

2:54

So the motivation behind this is many um decades of deer herbivory in the forest have uh prevented any of our desirable species from actually growing and replacing the old ones that die out.

3:05

And so the deer are actually the largest uh forest health threats in the forest.

3:10

Um and there's actually a dire need to reduce the deer population in order for Wesselman Woods to maintain a healthy um forest ecosystem for many, many years to come.

3:20

So um in the past we have conducted an annual deer hunt.

3:23

So we have a group of hunters um that come whenever we're closed between the uh in the DNR urban reduction zone um schedule.

3:32

So it starts mid-September and it goes through the end of January.

3:36

Um this year we have a uh a new system where reducing the number of hunters on the ro on the hunting crew, um two hunters, and it is archery only, no firearms.

3:46

Um for for safety, um, but also these two hunters have um proven um uh uh great hunters.

3:53

Um so they come on Sunday morning, so we open to the public at noon on Sundays, so um per DNR regulations they can start 30 minutes before sunrise um and we ask them to be off the ground at 11 30 at the latest.

4:05

And then we're closed on Mondays and the hunters are able to hunt sun uh 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.

4:13

Um now if they harvest a deer, um they remove it from the site, um, they dress it, um field dress it, and they actually donate a lot of the organs and the meat to Wesselman Woods for us to feed to our uh post-re rehabilitated raptors.

4:27

Um they inform the staff members and we make sure all staff and any volunteers on site are aware.

4:33

Um please remind me how many acres and how many deer we we think we have.

4:43

Yeah, so uh they hunt in the fenced in area, which is uh two about two hundred acres.

4:48

Um the deer population is probably anywhere from five to fifteen or twenty.

4:55

It's that the breeding season is upcoming, so there are more entering into the forest.

5:00

Um there were 11 harvested last year.

5:01

So probably in October and November, there could be upwards of 15 to 20 at one time.

5:08

Is it is it only for Vanderburgh County hunters or is it open to other counties as well?

5:14

So uh this year we're just doing those those two hunters who have um been on the hunting crew in the past.

5:20

Um they are not Vanderburgh County residents um but they are skilled hunters and with the the goal of just removing the deer from the forest.

5:28

I have one more question.

5:30

What is the ideal number for that amount of acreage?

5:33

So the ideal would be about uh five if if there were a large continuous forest around, but because of the current existing conditions, ideally we need zero deer for a number of years in order for our young little oaks and hickories and desirable canopy species to to grow to where they're safe from deer.

5:52

So um in a healthy state, about five.

5:56

Good questions.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████54%

Public Safety█████████████16%

Procedural████████10%

Community Engagement████████10%

Transportation Safety█████6%

Public Health███3%

Public Engagement█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Evansville Board of Park Commissioners Meeting - September 16, 2026

The Board of Park Commissioners held a regular meeting on September 16, 2026, at 12:00 P.M. The meeting covered consent agenda items, new business including a deer cull permit, native planting project, electrical repair bids, pet waste stations, emergency call box, and flooring change order, as well as public comments on park safety and operations.

Consent Calendar

Request to donate one golf pass (foursome with cart) for University of Evansville Basketball Dinner/Auction. Approved unanimously.
Request to approve and execute Extension #4 of the Master Agreement with Sonitrol of Evansville, Inc. and Maxitrol, Inc. for various park facilities. Approved unanimously.
Request to execute Agreement with Sellers Masonry, Inc. for Wesselman Park Tennis Lighting project. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Gabe Correjo (former elite diver): Expressed strong opposition to YMCA’s operation of diving boards at Deaconess Aquatic Center, citing safety violations, lack of preventative measures, and alleged lost taxpayer revenue of $70,000–$100,000 per year. Requested the board revoke YMCA’s operational authority for diving boards and reconsider the facility management agreement.
Walter Branson Bennett (Jacobsville resident, JNIA member): Voiced concerns about the native planting project potentially expanding beyond existing berms, prioritized a half-basketball court instead, requested a drinking fountain, four-way light pole, additional picnic tables, redbud trees, and swing area maintenance. Also noted disagreements among neighbors about park improvements.
Larry Thorbeck (resident): Raised speeding concerns at Wesselman Park, specifically near tennis/pickleball courts and the new playground. Suggested speed bumps or digital speed signs. Also noted a missing speed sign at the old Robert Stadium entryway.
Don Nichols (University South representative, United Neighborhoods of Evansville): Complimented park improvements but warned of potential accident risk at Wesselman Park due to speeding vehicles near the new playground. Recommended speed bumps and suggested engaging pickleball reservation contacts to raise awareness.

Discussion Items

Deer Cull at Wesselman Nature Center: Derek Walsh (Director of Natural Resources and Research, Wesselman Woods) requested permission to continue the annual deer hunt. He explained that over 20 years of deer herbivory has prevented tree regeneration and that the deer population (estimated 5–20 in the 200-acre fenced area) threatens forest health. The hunt will use two archery hunters (no firearms) on Sundays and Mondays, with deer meat and organs donated to feed rehabilitated raptors. The ideal deer population for health is about five, but zero is needed temporarily to allow oak and hickory regeneration. Approved unanimously.
Native Planting Project at Jacobsville Park: Bryce Mosby (Dream Center) and Annie O'Dean (resident) requested permission for the Indiana Native Plant Society and Jacobsville Neighborhood Association to install a native plant garden on two existing berms that had died. They described volunteer efforts, herbicide-free management, and community support. Walter Branson Bennett opposed the garden expansion, advocating for a basketball court instead. Board clarified the request only covers replanting existing berms, not expanding. Approved unanimously.
Electrical Work at Igleheart Park: Scott Fankhauser (Park Maintenance Superintendent) requested permission to seek sealed bids for storm damage repairs (fallen tree damaged a pole and wiring). Estimated cost over $50,000 triggers bidding requirement. Approved unanimously.
Pet Waste Stations on Greenway: Matthew Mills (Greenway Advisory Board) requested permission to install five pet waste stations at Masco Park, Garvin Park, Shirley James, and Heidelbach Canoe Launch for cleanliness and public health. Stations would be purchased with Greenway Advisory Board funds, with bag refills by Parks Department. Approved unanimously.
Emergency Call Box on Greenway: Matthew Mills requested approval to use Greenway Advisory Board funds (up to $10,000) for an emergency call box near Dresden Street, to be matched by Evansville Trails Coalition (total ~$20,000). Officer Fozie (EPD) raised concerns: existing call boxes have location accuracy issues, power outages, frequent false alarms, potential flood damage, and maintenance costs falling on Parks Department. She suggested a better location and more research. The board voted to table the item for further study and collaboration with EPD and Parks.
Flooring Change Order at C.K. Newsome Center: Danielle Crook (Executive Director) requested approval of Change Order #1 with Garmong Construction for additional flooring in renovated areas. Funding was available from original project savings. Approved unanimously.
Executive Director’s Report: Danielle Crook announced the official splash pad opening at Igleheart Park on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 1–3 P.M. The splash pad will remain open as temperatures allow, regular hours 10 A.M. to 7 P.M.

Key Outcomes

Consent calendar items approved unanimously.
Deer cull at Wesselman Nature Center approved unanimously.
Native planting project at Jacobsville Park approved unanimously.
Permission to seek bids for Igleheart Park electrical repairs approved unanimously.
Pet waste stations on Greenway approved unanimously.
Emergency call box motion to table carried (no vote tally provided, but seconded).
Change order for C.K. Newsome Center flooring approved unanimously.
Payroll and vendor claims accepted unanimously.
Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

It's 12 o'clock. I'd like to call the Board of Public Commissioners regular meeting to order. The first item of agenda is a meeting memorandum. Do I have a motion for approval? So moved. Second. Motion of a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Motion carries. There are several items on the consent agenda. Request permission to donate one golf pass for some with a cart for the University of Evansville basketball at dinner slash auction. Request approval and execute extension number four of the master agreement with Sonic Troll for Evansville Inc. and Maxwell Control Inc. for various park facilities. And request approval to execute agreement with Sellers Masonry Inc. for Westman Park Tennis Lighting Project. I'll entertain a motion for approval. So moved. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Motion carries. There is no old business, new business. First item on the agenda is request permission to conduct an annual deer call at Wesselman Park Nature Center. Okay. Good afternoon, Mr. President and members of the board. I am here today seeking permission to conduct uh to continue the annual deer hunt at Wesselman Woods. Um, my name is Derek Walsh. I am the director of natural resources and research at Wesselman Woods, and I'm presenting seeking permission for the annual deer hunt. So the motivation behind this is many um decades of deer herbivory in the forest have uh prevented any of our desirable species from actually growing and replacing the old ones that die out. And so the deer are actually the largest uh forest health threats in the forest. Um and there's actually a dire need to reduce the deer population in order for Wesselman Woods to maintain a healthy um forest ecosystem for many, many years to come. So um in the past we have conducted an annual deer hunt. So we have a group of hunters um that come whenever we're closed between the uh in the DNR urban reduction zone um schedule. So it starts mid-September and it goes through the end of January. Um this year we have a uh a new system where reducing the number of hunters on the ro on the hunting crew, um two hunters, and it is archery only, no firearms. Um for for safety, um, but also these two hunters have um proven um uh uh great hunters. Um so they come on Sunday morning, so we open to the public at noon on Sundays, so um per DNR regulations they can start 30 minutes before sunrise um and we ask them to be off the ground at 11 30 at the latest. And then we're closed on Mondays and the hunters are able to hunt sun uh 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. Um now if they harvest a deer, um they remove it from the site, um, they dress it, um field dress it, and they actually donate a lot of the organs and the meat to Wesselman Woods for us to feed to our uh post-re rehabilitated raptors. Um they inform the staff members and we make sure all staff and any volunteers on site are aware. Um please remind me how many acres and how many deer we we think we have. Yeah, so uh they hunt in the fenced in area, which is uh two about two hundred acres. Um the deer population is probably anywhere from five to fifteen or twenty. It's that the breeding season is upcoming, so there are more entering into the forest.

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