By NORMA LERNER
Niles Daily Star

CASSOPOLIS – The Cass County Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a retreat with the goal in mind to discuss and set goals for 2010. The retreat will be held in October with the date to be set.

This is a first for the newly created parks and recreation board that met last week. Board Chairperson Judy Olson said the retreat is a step forward for next year’s park plans and events.

Olson reported that after Oct. 1, the parks department will no longer do maintenance at Lake Park on Birch Lake in Porter Township.

She explained that Porter Township owns the park and should be doing the maintenance. Parks Director Scott Wyman recounted that the park has always been maintained by the parks department and as a road commission park. He said it is small, less than 1/4th of an acre. There is one fishing pier, one trash barrel and no swimming.

The matter has been discussed for some time and with the township supervisor who will be notified about the decision.

Wyman told board members that the county allocation approved was $160,209, less than the requested amount of $182,000.

He reported that the monthly budget is going along good toward the end of the fiscal year and projected 90 percent of the budget will be used up by then.

Wyman said capital purchases during the year transferred from the Cass County Road Commission were $141,435. Of that 40 acres were purchased adjacent to Dr. T. K. Lawless Park, $82,270; parking and lot paving at the Arthur Dodd Memorial Park, $10,294; road commission used equipment purchases, $8,910; used truck purchase for maintenance, $5,000; a snow plow, $4,834; two shelter roofs, $4,300; and a rotary chopper, $3,425. There is $22,402 left for other purchases. Wyman discussed probable expenditures with the funds would include starting on the proposed dog park at Lawless Park and lighting for the equestrian and bus parking lot at Russ Forest.

The upcoming Lawless Park event will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 3 for the Harvest Festival. Admission is $3 per person and children two years and under are free. Planned are pumpkin painting, face painting, hayrides and games. The park is located on Monkey Run Street east of Vandalia and south of M-60. Admission is $3/person, 2 years and under are free.

The 4th Annual Harvest Festival features: Park Scavenger Hunt (ages 2-11), Arden’s Choo-Choo Rides, Horse drawn hayrides, Owl Prowl, Bicycle Safety Rodeo (must bring bicycle, bicycle helmet, and tennis shoes, you must pre-register for this event (269) 925-1137 ext. 17, or at flowerss@swmpc.org.

The K-9’s in Costume Contest is always good for a “howling good time.”  This widely popular event benefits the Cass County Animal Shelter. Bring pet food; toys; dish soap; bleach; or a monetary donation.