Deming Park Disasters

The pool had to be bailed out. The train’s not running again. Several of the big old trees that gave the park its character lie twisted and scattered. So far, it’s been a tough year for Deming Park.

While surveying the damage recently, we expressed sadness to a fellow gawker. “It’s just how Mother Nature is,” she said cheerily.

True, you can’t control the weather, but unfortunately, the problem at Deming Park goes beyond this summer storm. It’s a lack of nurture in the form of planned management, not the fault of nature.

The pool story got reported as a feel-good example of Terre Haute folks coming forward to help in a crisis. How the park system is managed as a public resource has yet to be examined carefully. When Superintendent Eddie Bird recommended the park board close the pool permanently, the board automatically complied. However, once the Vigo County Council and private donors came forward with funds to save the Deming Park pool, the board quickly reversed its days-old decision.

In the first instance, they failed to question Bird or explore other options for financial support. Then, they latched on to a quick fix. Neither the board nor the superintendent showed any inclination toward planning. That’s more dangerous to the park than the winds of Mother Nature.

Another park amenity is “the Spirit of Terre Haute.” For at least the past two years, this little train has also been plagued by maintenance problems. However, just three years ago, TH Parks and Recreation announced a plan developed by Rose Hulman students to expand and enhance the train ride. Two corporations, Indiana Rail Road and Clabber Girl, were reported as interested in helping to finance the project. Seemed like a good idea all round. What happened?

Who knows?

If Parks and Recreation can’t even keep a miniature train engine running, it’s a moot point to imagine them able to cope with an expansion. The department seems to prefer shrinking the amenities offered at Deming Park.

Which bring us back to the park’s population of trees, decimated by a severe storm, but suffering from a lack of management before that event. Examining the trees – both toppled and still standing – reveals another kind of maintenance that’s been deferred. Signs of an unhealthy tree aren’t that challenging to spot. Missing bark is an indicator of decay, and swellings on the trunk show advanced decay. Limbs with missing bark and bare branches are also telltale signs of trouble.

Parks and Recreation is run like most segments of Terre Haute government: without foresight or oversight. Bad management is not an act of nature.

Terre Haute used to have an urban forester. Although primarily responsible for the trees lining city streets, the job description included “assist[ing] the other departments with landscape and urban forestry needs.” Sheryle Dell most recently held the position, but she was fired in June. Was it because she wasn’t fulfilling her duties, or because she was advocating for more to be done? Did the city feel they could dispense with this position because a private company, Davey Resource Group, had started surveying the trees, so money could be saved by eliminating the urban forester?

Again, who knows?

While city officials often tout how our park system can attract business, no one seems pro-active in ensuring that Deming Park continues to be an asset.

Parks and Recreation is run like most segments of Terre Haute government: without foresight or oversight. Bad management is not an act of nature.

As we were putting some finishing touches on this post, we came upon an article by Sue Loughlin in the Terre Haute Tribune–Star reporting on a new organization formed to review city and county operations. In theory, that’s a great idea – just the kind of oversight we’re advocating. In practice… we won’t hold our breath. This group is composed of people who’ve had years – in some cases decades – as part of the Terre Haute establishment. The headline promises a bold initiative. But then, a quote from Paul Thrift seems telling. He says Terre Haute Competes work might result in public confidence that “what the mayor has been telling us is exactly true.” That doesn’t much sound like any change in the status quo, does it?

Thrift asserts that the consultants the organization hired as their first step toward getting to the bottom of things “have a deep understanding of our community.”

Turns out that Faegre, Baker Daniels is a multi-national law and lobbying firm. It does have an office in Indianapolis, and there is a remote chance that an employee could commute from Terre Haute. But a deep understanding? Seriously?

Well, maybe we’re just too darn negative. Maybe this is finally a solution to problems that plague local government budgeting. Maybe Terre Haute Competes will be able to get the train running on time.

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