By GARTH SNOW

gsnow@kpcmedia.com

Park officials report steady progress in removing 1,150 fallen trees, but say Fox Island County Park will be closed to the public at least deep into a second season.

Allen County Parks Superintendent Jeff Baxter reported to the Park Board Jan. 18, detailing efforts to clear stumps, logs and debris scattered by the June 13 derecho. Intense wind flattened trees across southwest Allen County that Monday evening, but took special aim at the ancient oaks rooted in sand in the Yohne Road preserve.

Park staff reported to the blocked trails the following day and began discovering and documenting the extent of the loss, which some described as historic in scope. The park gate was sealed, programs were canceled, staff energy diverted and a commercial logger enlisted to address the devastation.

That recovery is about to enter a second phase, Baxter told the board.

“We’re getting close to being done with the logging operation,” Baxter said.

Graber Lumber continues removing the fallen and leaning logs. Soon, though, it will be time to accept offers of assistance from organizations and companies.

Natalie Haley, park and education manager, said the Aboite Township Fire Department would be on hand that same week with chainsaws, ready for some productive training.

“Our main focus right off the bat is going to be right out there,” Baxter said. He referred to the acres of fallen trees immediately south of the park office.

There’s no need to plant trees there immediately, he said, because they would just have to be removed to create that work space.

That area will become a staging area for the overall, vast project. “Multiply that by about 600 acres you don’t see,” he said, describing the total workload ahead.

“We’ve got trees coming in the spring,” he said.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will provide those 7,100 native trees, some only about 20 inches tall. They will be planted in their permanent homes or rooted for transplant later. “Unfortunately, some will not make it,” he said.

While Baxter could not give a firm timetable for the overall project, he was able to size up the status of one of the most popular Fox Island attractions, Bowman Lake. The parking lot at the swimming and fishing site is still full of debris, he said. The lake may be closed another summer, he said.

“We’re moving forward; we’re just not moving very fast,” he said. “We can get so much more done (with that area closed).”

“We’re going to be able to make some headway soon,” he said.

“The public’s been very good about understanding,” Baxter said. Beyond that, the public has come forward with gifts “from $10 to $250 donations,” he said. “We’ve got so much support.”

Read earlier accounts of the damage and cleanup and watch for updates at allencountyparks.org.

In other business, the board:

• Approved Baxter’s recommendation to keep 2023 entry, pass, fishing and program fees at 2022 levels. A basic family pass remains at $30, the gold pass at $40. Asked about the difference, Baxter said, “The people that are buying the gold passes are basically making a donation too.” The basic daily admission fee remains at $2. General nature hikes and program cost $2 or $3. Programs and shelter and classroom rentals continue at Metea Park on Union Chapel Road; find fees online.

• Elected 2023 officers: Mitch Sheppard, president; Carrie Gutman, vice president; and Matt Graham, secretary.

• Welcomed new board member Jayde Grisham, Purdue University Extension educator for horticulture and urban agriculture.

• Agreed that meetings would continue to be held at 3:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of about every other month at varying sites within the Park Department.

• Received financial reports for August through December, showing $320,502 in the gift fund and $300,412 in the operating fund as of Dec. 31.

• Extended an offer on the vacant office manager position at Fox Island.