Franklin Park | Plainfield, Indiana
On July 13th, some Banning team members enjoyed a beautiful day outdoors at the Franklin Park Groundbreaking Event. Attendees enjoyed a short program from Assistant Town Manager Al Geans, Banning Engineering’s Director of Commercial Development Ryan Lindley, Patterson Horth’s President Tim Horth, and Town Council President Robin Brandgard. Al Geans spoke on the history of Franklin Park and shared how in 1935, the park was founded and named after Charles “Sap” Franklin, the Town’s first marshal. Like Friendship Gardens and Hummel Park, Al shared that this 35-acre park along White Lick Creek is significant to our community. In his speech, he noted that neighborhood trail users, sports organizations, and others utilize the park daily. With the implementation of the park’s master plan, there was a recent transition for the ball fields to move to the Al & Jan Barker Sports Complex in 2022. Because of this transition, Al spoke about the exciting changes to come with the masterplan, which include crosswalk and sidewalk intersection improvements, enhanced playground equipment, a dog park with shade structures, a resurfaced tennis court, Anderson Baseball Diamond enhancements and updates, full-court basketball with side goals, eight pickleball courts with shade structures, path improvements to Pinnacle Lane, the redevelopment of Franklin Park Trail Loop, community greenspace, and additional parking.
Ryan Lindley shared our background with conducting the master plan and role as the construction administrator and resident project representative for the Town. He then elaborated on the park enhancements and project timeline. During his portion of the program, Tim Horth thanked the project’s many partners and shared a story about his history with the Town of Plainfield. Robin Brandgard finished the speeches with the connection of these improvements to the Downtown Master Plan and how these amenities, determined from public input through the Franklin Park Master Plan process, will add to the heart of our community. The group then broke ground on the project and enjoyed conversation and coffee throughout the afternoon.
Hamilton County Fairgrounds | Noblesville, Indiana
On July 20th, the Hamilton County 4-H Fair kicked off its fair week with a groundbreaking for The Silos @37 project. The groundbreaking took place for the first phase of renovation, expansion, and modernization of the 40-acre Hamilton County Fairgrounds. Partners a part of the groundbreaking program included County Extension Director Susan Peterson, Hamilton County Commissioners Christine Altman, Steve Dillinger, and Mark Heirbrandt, Hamilton County Council members, and Extension Board President Jane Sipe. Construction on Phase 1 of the project is scheduled for this fall and will be momentous as the fairgrounds have not seen any upgrades in 25 years. Recognized as the home of the annual Hamilton County 4-H Fair, the grounds also serve the county with extension programs, more than 800 events annually, a location for organizations to distribute goods to those in need, an official voting location, public safety training, and as the designated county disaster emergency center.
Hamilton County included fairground improvements in their 2022 financial plans; nonetheless, those a part of the project envision more to come with the fairgrounds’ future. One significant improvement is the access to the fairgrounds along State Road 37. Access improvements will allow growth as a critical destination for groups, events, and celebrations. The Silos @37 will also feature a new Bicentennial Pavilion, an improved 10,000 square foot Llama Barn with year-round functions, enhanced student learning spaces geared toward STEM, additional rental space capacity, and outdoor garden spaces to enjoy. Banning Engineering worked on the site development of this plan, and Ryan Lindley represented our company at the event.
