News Sports Opinion Life Obituaries eNewspaper Legals
Storer Estates to include city's next park with pavilion, playground and more
Charlotte Stefanski
Muncie Star Press
MUNCIE, Ind. — As Storer Estates, a new subdivision of 34 lots where Storer Elementary once stood, heads to bidding later this month, plans are now calling for for a new city park within the neighborhood.
Named "Storer Woods Park," the space will include a foursquare court, two pickleball courts, a pavilion with picnic tables, a playground with a disk swing and an eight-foot-wide walking path.
According to a release, the design was heavily influenced by area residents, just as the rest of the subdivision was.
The concepts of the park design also use earth berms to create separation from the road for a sense of privacy, provide shaded benches and a pavilion for picnics and shelter from the rain and create a sense of entry to the neighborhood, the city stated. Native plantings will be around the park.
There will be no parking lot for the Storer W. Instead, it's intended for people who live nearby to either walk or bike to the new park.
Original plans for the space, discussed in a community meeting back in August, simply included a playground instead of a park. Because of funding from the Muncie Redevelopment Commission (MRC) and from the mayor's EDIT fund, the City of Muncie instead chose to add a new city park.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
►More plans for 'Storer Estates' at former school revealed as bidding opportunities near
►City will share details of trails, greenspace and more at Storer housing development
►Ball State students present proposals for development of former Storer School site
"I am thrilled at the concept of bettering our great city through new and improved parks and green spaces," Mayor Dan Ridenour said in the release. "This is simply another step in that belief by addressing the north side's park shortage while adding a new subdivision."
Since discussion of the Storer Estates project began back in August 2020, a main concern for residents has been flooding in the area.
The Muncie Sanitary District will be putting in new drainage for Storer Estates. This will be combined with a dry pond, which will have the ability to drain three feet of water in a 48-hour period.
According to the release, the new park will cost $235,397, part of which will be funded by the MRC and part of which will be funded through economic development income tax (EDIT).
STAY INFORMED AND SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Subscribe today using the link at the top of this page.
The bidding process will begin later this month, to be voted on in January with construction beginning soon after.