By By NORMA LERNER / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – There are lots of things going on with the Cass County Parks, and a mountain bike trail might be located at Dr. T. K. Lawless Park. There is also a Harvest Festival to be held there Oct. 7.
Scott Wyman, Cass County Parks director, on Thursday during a parks board meeting, said that Evelyn Kirkwood, director of St. Joseph County Parks, Ind., is going to visit Lawless Park to take a look at the trail system there for mountain bike trails. This is in addition to the bicycle race course at the park. She will tell about how a trail system can be installed without disturbing natural surroundings. Lawless Park is located on Monkey Run Street in Newberg Township.
Wyman also told of a Trick or Treat Harvest Festival to be held at the park from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 7. Admission is $3 per person with two year olds and under admitted free. There will be face painting, pumpkin painting, a choo-choo train ride plus other fun activities with food and refreshments for the whole family. A tail trail will be open to children two-to-11-years old with no adult trail this time. A new event will be a canine in costume contest with an award given for the best dog in costume.
The registration fee for the canine exhibit will be dry dog or puppy food, dry cat food and litter, any treats, toys, grooming supplies, dish soap or bleach with the donated items to be given to the Cass County Animal Control.
The event is sponsored by the parks department, the Cass District Library and the Cass County Conservation district. The rain date is Oct. 14.
Wyman reported that things are also moving along on the equestrian parking lot on the east side of Russ Forest Park on Marcellus Highway in Volinia Township. The parking lot project was started a few years ago and stalled due to a lack of funding, but county money allocated at $7,500 will finish the lot plus another $3,000 grant will be used to purchase whole cedar logs for fencing. But, Wyman who is happy about the project, said volunteers will be needed to install the log-rail fence that will separate the equestrian parking lot from the car parking lot.
Wyman also reported that this is the first year reservations in all parks reached 81. He attributed it to people staying closer to home with the high cost of gasoline. He said the count may go higher as the picnicking season isn't over yet.
The parks board set a special budget meeting at 11 a.m. on Sept. 21.
Wyman also reported that a final five-year plan is hoped to be ready by the next parks board meeting Oct. 19.